Benefits for non-UK nationals
There are different types of non-UK nationals. This page tells you about some of the groups and the benefits you may be entitled to. This is not a complete list and there may be exceptions to these rules.
Benefits available
Whether you are eligible for benefits will depend on your immigration status and if you are looking for employment.
Benefits you may be able to get are:
- Pension Credit
- Housing Benefit/Rate Relief
- Personal Independence Payment
- Attendance Allowance
- Carer’s Allowance
- Tax Credits
- Universal Credit
To find out if you need permission to work in Northern Ireland or if you need a work permit, visit the following page:
European Economic Area (EEA) nationals
EEA countries are Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovak Republic, Romania, Spain, Slovenia, Sweden, Ireland and the UK (including the Isle of Man and Channel Islands).
Switzerland is not in the EEA but Swiss nationals have the same rights to live and work in the UK as EEA nationals.
If you are an EEA national, you need to show you have a ‘right to reside’ (can legally live here) and are ‘habitually resident’ (this is the place where you normally live) in the UK, the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man or the Republic of Ireland.
Jobseeker’s Allowance and Housing Benefit
Before you can claim Universal Credit you must have been living in the UK, Channel Islands, Isle of Man or Republic of Ireland for the three months immediately before making your claim.
EEA nationals with ‘jobseeker’ residency status can claim Universal Credit for up to six months. You will have a Genuine Prospect of Work assessment after three months.
EEA nationals with ‘retained worker’ residency status can claim Universal Credit for up to nine months. You will have a Genuine Prospect of Work assessment after six months.
EEA jobseekers cannot claim Housing Benefit.
Croatian Nationals
You will normally need to apply for a registration certificate before you start work in the UK. Depending on the type of registration certificate, you will not normally be entitled to:
- Universal Credit
- State Pension Credit
After 12 months of continuous employment as a registered worker, you will gain full EEA status and be eligible for benefits on the same basis as existing EEA nationals.
Returning UK nationals
Before you can claim Universal Credit you must have been living in the UK, Channel Islands, Isle of Man or Republic of Ireland for the three months immediately before making your claim.
Non-EEA nationals
If you are a third country national (a national of a non-EU country) with limited leave, including work permit holders, spouses and civil partners during the two year probationary period, you generally won’t be able to receive any benefits.
Asylum seekers
If you are an asylum seeker or destitute, for example, if you are homeless or can’t buy food, financial support may be provided by the Home Office.
Refugees
If you are a refugee, or have been granted humanitarian protection or discretionary leave, you can apply for benefits in the same way as a UK national.
If you have been granted leave to stay in the UK by the UK Border Agency and have gone straight from National Asylum Support Service support into work, you can apply for Universal Credit.
You can use the fast-track process when applying.
People with indefinite leave
If you have indefinite leave to enter or stay in the UK you will generally have the same access to benefits as UK citizens.
If you are sponsored
If a UK sponsor has agreed to fund your stay in the UK, you won’t be entitled to claim income-related benefits for five years, from your date of entry into the UK or from the date the sponsorship was signed (whichever is later), unless your sponsor dies.
Leaving the European Union (EU)
For information on leaving the EU, including the impact on benefits if you are an EU citizen in the UK or a UK national in the EU, visit the following pages:
- EU citizens in the UK: benefits and pensions in a 'no-deal' scenario
- UK nationals in the EU: benefits and pensions in a 'no-deal' scenario
EU Settlement Scheme
New rules mean that family members of 'persons of Northern Ireland' subject to certain conditions can apply to the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
- to ensure that you/they may access the same family migration rights as family members of citizens from the Republic of Ireland do under European Union (EU) law
- The EU Settlement Scheme will give family members of persons of Northern Ireland the same rights to live and work in the UK as the family members of Irish citizens, including access to benefits and services
- If qualifying family members are granted indefinite leave to remain under the EU Settlement Scheme, they will be given the same access to benefits as UK nationals
Help and advice
For more information or if you are unsure about what benefits you may be entitled to, contact your local Jobs and Benefits office.