In the UK there are a range of services and benefits available to support citizens when they need it. These can include healthcare, education, social security, welfare benefits, and other general public services.
An eligible citizen’s ability to access such support will depend on whether:
- they are seeking to access support as a resident of the UK granted EUSS status (or have a valid application); or
- if they are an individual seeking to access social security under the social security coordination rules.
Accessing support as an EUSS holder
If they have EUSS status or are awaiting a decision on their application for status, generally their right to gain support and access services are protected in the same way as before the 31 December 2020. Their rights may depend on whether they have pre-settled status or settled status:
- Settled status: they may access benefits and public services on the same basis as UK nationals, i.e. they must meet the same eligibility rules.
- Pre-settled status: some benefits they wish to access may have a ‘right to reside’ requirement. A citizen would usually qualify if they are working, self-employed, have retained worker status, or are a family member or primary carer of someone who meets those conditions. Without a qualifying ‘right to reside’, access to means tested benefits may be limited unless there are exceptional circumstances.
Some social security benefits in the UK are coordinated by the social security coordination rules that are not dependent on EUSS status or whether someone continues to live or work in the UK.
Social Security Coordination
Individuals who have lived in the UK and the EU before the 31 December 2020 may be able to access pensions, some benefits and other forms of social security. The social security coordination rules in the Agreements protect a citizen’s rights if they have lived, worked, or moved between the UK and the EU before 31 December 2020. The rules make sure that where a person has paid into social security systems in both the UK and a member state in the EU, they do not lose those contributions, they can continue to access their rights without gaps and only pay into one social security system at any one time.