transfer of benefits from uk

rathulf

hi all
my uncle is thinking of moving home from uk after 40 years- people have told him he will lose much of his benefits- i know thats not true but what will he be entitled to? he will be just 65 when he moves over - will he be entitled to rent allowance if he rents a place and the pension from uk or will he have to stop that and get pension from ireland- he is on disability and pension credits atm

tx all

Cushie Butterfield

See here for transfer of benefits: http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/moving_country/moving_to_ireland/introduction_to_the_irish_system/moving_to_ireland_and_your_social_security_entitlements.html

For Rent Supplement he would have to satisfy the Habitual Residence Condition. Have a look here: http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/social_welfare/social_welfare_payments/supplementary_welfare_schemes/rent_supplement.html

& more importantly here: http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/social_welfare/irish_social_welfare_system/social_assistance_payments/residency_requirements_for_social_assistance_in_ireland.html

EU rules prevent discrimination on nationality grounds in relation to social security, so it is not possible to exempt a particular category of Irish citizens (such as returning Irish emigrants) from the habitual residence condition (either in general or for Carer’s Allowance) without extending the same treatment to all EU nationals. However, the guidelines on determination of habitual residence address the issue of returning emigrants very specifically. The guidelines state: “A person who had previously been habitually resident in the State and who moved to live and work in another country and then resumes his/her long-term residence in the State may be regarded as being habitually resident immediately on his/her return to the State.”

When determining the main centre of interest for returning emigrants, Deciding Officers take account of:

- The purpose of your return, for example, because your foreign residence permit has expired
- Your stated intentions
- Verified arrangements which you have made in regard to returning on a long-term basis, for example, transfer of financial accounts and any other assets, termination of residence-based entitlements in the other country, or assistance from Safe-Home or a similar programme to enable Irish emigrants to return permanently
- Length and continuity of your previous residence in the State
- Your record of employment or self employment in another state and
- Whether you have maintained links with your previous residence and can be regarded as resuming your previous residence rather than starting a new period of residence.

Probably best for him/you to contact Safe Home http://www.safehomeireland.com/ A letter from them stating that he has engaged with them in the process of moving back to Ireland would help in satisfying the HRC.

rathulf

thanks very much that was helpful