Escaped horrible situation in Spain,returned to Uk with child but not allowed benefits as single mum

[annaspanner]

Hi, I'm writing on behalf of a friend who split up with her Spanish boyfriend, had her 2 year old taken from her by him and his parents who tried to get custody, then got her back, with full custody and returned to the UK to try to decide what to do next. She's been in Spain for a few years(6-8-Im not sure), some of that time working, some being a full time mum. She isn't getting any money from the father and now has found out she's not entitled to any benefits as she hasn't lived in the UK for a few years, and no longer qualifies as a British citizen,although she worked in the UK for quite a few years before going to SPain. She doesn't have the money to send the child to nursery in order to work or study.She is living with her parents for the moment so accomodation isn't a big problem(for now). DOes anyone know of any emergency benefit she could claim? Or any group that may be able to help her. The only thing she could do at the moment is to find an evening job and leave her LO with her parents.

Any advice would be welcome
thanks ,anna

She should be able to claim Working Tax Credits if she works 16+ hours/week, but don't quote me on that because there are rules about Brits who have been living abroad.

She might also have to pay international student fees at many universities as she hasn't been resident in teh UK for the 3 years prior to beginning study.

She's very lucky to be able to leave her child with her folks, so I'd suggest she get back to work ASAP instead of looking for benefits, as she may find it's easier to get help/accommodation if she is working, such as Working Tax Credit.

taxcredits

looks like she can get WTC and Child Tax Credit if she works 16+ hours.

that'd be the way to go.

she could study part-time to get out of international fees for some programmes.

If she can leave her child with her family and they will allow her to live there, I would do that. the benefits system in this country is a trap, landlords won't take you if you are on benefits. It can be very difficult to get off them again.

Thanks so much for all this information. I'll pass the link for this page to her when she's back online.
I told her the mumsnetters would help!

Anna

expat, sadly you are right about the education fees. We've just found that out in respect of our DS who is returning to the UK for A levels next year. We've been abroad for my husband's work for 3 years and (stupidly?) thought that as we'd kept our house, paid all our bills, council tax, tax & NI, and he is paid by a UK company into our UK bank accounts we were still UK residents. Seems not and we will have to pay for him to go to a state school!
I do hope your friend gets some support anna

i used to work at Edinburgh University, mumoverseas, and this came up ALL THE TIME.

universities have different policies, but in general, your typical British university will have such a policy in place for full-time students.

some don't have this for part-time programmes and it's worth looking into places like Open University or colleges as well to see what their policies are like.

it's a real bugbear, though, to school leavers who had no choice but to live abroad because of their parents' jobs.

If you're HM forces Mumoverseas, there are different criteria that apply.

Tell your friend to go to CAB. I know there are rules about British citizens who live abroad and then return not being able to claim benefits, but I'm not sure they apply if they have been living in an EU member state. After all, a Spaniard would be able to move here and claim reciprocal benefits, so why not a British person who has been living in Spain.

From what I understand once about six months has passed and e.g. children registered at local school, local links etc. forged, this is the relevant and necessary proof that you intend to reside here now and should be sufficient for benefits entitlement but Shelter would be able to give very good advice on all of this really.

Good luck to your friend.

Thanks again to everyone, I'm passing all this info. on.
Anna