European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)

Update on future access to benefits following the End of the Grace Period

In order to continue to have the right to live and work in the UK, including access to benefits and services, European Economic Area (EEA) and Swiss nationals should have applied by 30 June 2021 for/have been granted Settled Status (Indefinite Leave to Remain) or Pre-Settled Status (Leave to Remain).

EEA and Swiss nationals who did not apply by 30 June 2021 for/been granted Settled or Pre-Settled Status are now deemed not to qualify for benefits and classified as Persons Without Immigration Status following the end of the grace period.

However, late applications for the EUSS after 30 June 2021 will be considered by the Home Office where there is a good cause for late application.

Statutory Payment: Existing Claims

HM Treasury can support existing Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) claimants who have not applied to the EUSS by the end of the Grace Period for a short period. This is called extra statutory payment. 

The extra statutory payment allows benefit payment to continue for existing claimants for a short period of time, after the end of the Grace Period, whilst the DWP contact the affected claimants who have not applied.

New Claims to Housing Benefit made from EEA/Swiss Nationals from 1 July 2021

EEA/Swiss nationals must have an Immigration Status or have applied for EUSS to make a Housing Benefit (HB) claim where the date of claim is 1 July 2021 or later.

Existing Habitual Residency Tests rules will apply where appropriate. 

Existing claimants - Data matching exercise 

In March 2021, the Home Office ran a scan of current HB claimants against Home Office data to identify any EEA and Swiss nationals who do not have an EUSS status. 

Letters were then issued through automatic mailing between 14 May 2021 to 28 May 2021 to those claimants informing them of the need to apply for a status before the end of the Grace Period.

On 1 July 2021, a further data match exercise was conducted by the Home Office. The Home Office will now write to all EEA and Swiss nationals who have still not applied for their EUSS status and prompt the customer to urgently contact the Home Office and apply or risk their benefit payments being stopped.

The data matching letters are due to be issued mid-July 2021 by automatic mailing to all DWP and HB claimants who have not applied to EUSS. 

DWP additional signposting

DWP will issue a final letter to all DWP and HB claimants in September 2021 to ensure that they understand the requirement to make a late application for EUSS.

The claimant will also be advised that their benefit will be disallowed where no EUSS application is made. 

Following suspension, the claimant will have a further month to make an application for EUSS. 

If a claimant subsequently applies for EUSS within this month then extra statutory payments can continue until a final immigration decision is made. 

If the claimant does not apply for EUSS within this month then extra statutory payments will stop, and their claim will be terminated as they will be treated as a Person Subject to Immigration Control.

If a claimant appeals against an EUSS decision, they can continue to receive extra statutory payments until the outcome of the appeal is known. 

Additional customer support

Helpline

  • EUSS helpline where customers can apply and have questions answered: Tel: 0300 123 7379. (Open: Monday to Friday, excluding bank holidays, 8am to 8pm. Saturday and Sunday, 9:30am to 4:30pm) Find out about call charges.

Digital Access Centres

The Home Office is partnering with digital centres to support digitally excluded people. Get help with your online Home Office application 

Community partners 

  • There is a contracted support service to provide 121 support in applying. The service is run by local authorities, charities, and community groups around the UK. A post code checker helps applicants find their nearest centre. Get help applying to the EUSS 

EU language translations 

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