Last chance to apply to EU settlement scheme so benefits remain unaffected

EU citizens living in Bath and North East Somerset who have not yet registered with the Government’s EU Settlement Scheme are being urged to do so as soon as possible.

Anyone identified by the Department of Work and Pensions as not having applied for the right to remain living in the UK will soon receive a letter encouraging them to apply so that they can continue to receive DWP benefits.

Since May this year, Bath & North East Somerset Council has been publicising the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) deadline and supporting EU citizens across the district with their applications.

Despite communications from the Government and the council, there are still some EU citizens and their family members who have not applied for the scheme. The letters going out from the DWP will ask residents to apply within 28 days of receipt or their benefits could be suspended.

The council will be contacting residents who receive housing benefit to ensure they are aware of the need to apply. Citizens Advice Bureau can support residents who need help with registering and can be contacted via their website , by phone on 0344 848 7919 or freephone 0808 278 7897.

Councillor Richard Samuel, Deputy Leader and cabinet member for Economic Development and Resources, said: “We don’t want any of our residents to go without the benefits they are entitled to. We have worked hard to make sure that as many EU citizens as possible are aware of the scheme and have advertised the deadline and need to apply, as well as provided support with document verification. We’ll also be getting in touch directly with people who receive housing benefit once we are given their details by the DWP.

“The DWP advises that people who haven’t registered will have their benefits suspended, so we are urging anyone who hasn’t already registered to apply now.”

The EU Settlement Scheme allows EU citizens, and their EU and non-EU family members to get the immigration status they need to continue to live, work and study in the UK and remain eligible for access to public services. The deadline for applying was 30 June 2021.

Applications to the scheme can only be made online. More information about the scheme can be found at www.gov.uk/eu-settled-status