Immigration

Questions

Asked by

Lord Foulkes of Cumnock
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assistance they offer to European Union migrants who are unemployed but have not paid 12 months of national insurance contributions. [HL1755]

To ask Her Majesty's Government what assistance they offer European Union migrants who are homeless but have not paid 12 months of national insurance contributions. [HL1756]

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Communities and Local Government & Department for Work and Pensions (Lord McKenzie of Luton)
European Union nationals who are unemployed but seeking work may be eligible for income-based jobseeker's allowance. They may also be eligible for housing benefit and council tax benefit in respect of any housing costs.

European Union accession country nationals are subject to particular rules. They are eligible for income-based jobseeker's allowance but only if they have been working and registered on the worker registration scheme or worker authorisation scheme for at least 12 months, and are seeking work. They may also be eligible for housing benefit and council tax benefit in respect of any housing costs.

Jobcentre Plus personalised services, such as personal advisers, are available to European Union nationals claiming benefits. European Union nationals who are not claiming benefit may access the universal Jobcentre Plus services for job seekers, such as job points and Jobseeker Direct.

In addition, the Government provide funding to support local authorities and homelessness charities in helping homeless EU nationals to find work, or in some instances, to pay for travel back to their own countries.

Notes:
 

1 People from Poland, Czech Republic, Hungary, Slovakia, Slovenia, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Bulgaria and Romania