worked en lived in the UK before

[maantje]

Hi all,

I have a uncle who is 65 years now and lives in Portugal.
He worked many years in the UK before.
He is wondering what are his rights if he returns to the UK.
Pension, benefits,etc....
I have realy no idea, because I'm just since a few months in Scotland.

Can someone plssssssssssssssssss help me?

Many thx!

[Joppa]

Originally Posted by maantje

Hi all,

I have a uncle who is 65 years now and lives in Portugal.
He worked many years in the UK before.
He is wondering what are his rights if he returns to the UK.
Pension, benefits,etc....
I have realy no idea, because I'm just since a few months in Scotland.

Can someone plssssssssssssssssss help me?

Many thx!

If he worked in UK before for more than 5 years and paid Class 1 National Insurance contributions, then he should be entitled to some retirement pension. Best thing he can do is to dig out his NI number (should be on his old payslip or P60 or P65) and contact International Pension Centre : Directgov - Directories
As for other benefits, it depends on his immigration and residence status when he returns to UK. If he is from EU, he may be entitled to some benefits, but rules are complicated and he needs to make a detailed enquiry on arrival. It depends partly on how much contributions he's made in UK and in his native EU country. IPC above may give him some ideas about his entitlement.
Another possibility is he may be able to get credit for contributions made in UK towards his pension in Portugal.

[maantje]

Hi Joppa,

Thanks for your quick respons! My uncle worked for 10 years in the UK.
I was also wondering what will happen if he comes to the UK and do not find any job,
will the goverment help him then?

Thx for your answers!

[Joppa]

Originally Posted by maantje

Hi Joppa,

Thanks for your quick respons! My uncle worked for 10 years in the UK.
I was also wondering what will happen if he comes to the UK and do not find any job,
will the goverment help him then?

Thx for your answers!

If your uncle has the right to work (e.g. EU citizen), then he can go to the nearest Job Centre (state-run recruitment office) and look for work or help in getting interviews. He may be eligible for jobseekers' allowance (JSA), but only if he arranges in advance in his home country. The rule is he must first be eligible to receive JSA or equivalent at home. He is unlikely to be eligible for help with housing (housing benefit) etc, until he has lived in UK for some time. There is a general rule in EU that migrant workers must not become dependent on state handouts (welfare payments). But rules are complicated.