Migrant

Whether you can be entitled to benefits depends on your immigration status and whether you meet the presence and residence rules for the benefit you want to claim. 

You should read the information in this section before using our Benefits Calculator.

Immigration Status

If you and your partner and child(ren) who live with you are all British or Irish citizens or have been granted settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme you do not need to read this section. However, you still need to read the Presence and Residence Rules.

In all other cases, your immigration status may affect what benefits you are entitled to. The immigration status of your partner and child(ren) can affect how much benefit you can be paid, and can mean you should not claim specific benefits. 

This means you need to start by reading the information on Immigration status and benefits.

You will then also need to read the information on the presence and residence rules.

Many grant-giving charities will help people regardless of immigration and residence status, including if you cannot claim welfare benefits. 

To find out what help may be available based on your situation, circumstances and needs, you can visit the link below.

Turn2us is unable to offer advice on individual situations.  

If you need immigration advice ensure that you get the advice from someone who is either registered with the Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner (OISC) to give such advice or exempt from such registration.

The rules on benefit entitlements for migrants are complex and unfortunately many claimants are incorrectly refused benefits and need to challenge these refusals. If your situation is complicated and you need to check what you can claim or if your benefit claim has been refused you should get independent advice. You may be able to get help from an organisation that specialises in advising specific groups of migrants or from a general advice organisation such as Citizens Advice or a Law Centre.