Legal News
Thousands of Britons Abroad Claim Welfare Benefits (13 January 2012)
Date: 13/01/2012
Tens of thousands of British emigrants are believed to be claiming welfare benefits while living abroad, it has been revealed. While claimants residing in the UK are forced to endure new tests to determine their eligibility to welfare benefits, officials have admitted that around 4,000 elderly welfare benefits recipients are living abroad and will be free to draw on money from the state until their retirement. This is because the Department of Work and Pensions have decided not to re-test the eligibility of welfare benefits for those aged over 60.
Under EU rules, the Government must pay certain welfare benefits to Britons, regardless of whether or not they relocate abroad. Britain also has reciprocal arrangements with countries, such as the USA and Jamaica, to continue to pay welfare benefits to expatriates. Expatriate pensioners are believed to receive £13.4 million each year in winter fuel payments, regardless of the fact that they reside in sunnier climes. The cost of providing incapacity benefit to expatriates abroad costs the Government around £49 million a year. While a portion of the remaining 5,800 expatriate claimants are set to be reassessed, these assessments will be conducted by foreign doctors. In the event that incapacity benefit was claimed in Britain prior to moving abroad, expatriates are entitled to receive continual handouts.
A Department of Work and Pensions spokesperson stated that expatriates who had paid their National Insurance contributions could receive welfare benefits and would be subject to the same assessments as claimants residing in the UK.
Duncan Lewis’ welfare benefits solicitors can provide legal guidance to Britons who wish to continue to claim welfare benefits following their relocation abroad.