Presence and Residence Tests - Which Presence or Residence Tests do I have to pass?
To get most benefits you have to be present in the UK and pass tests regarding your residency. This guide explains more about this.
- Last reviewed 19 June 2023
Which Presence or Residence Tests do I have to pass?
Check the table below to find out which presence and residence tests you have to satisfy in order to get a particular benefit. Note that you must continue to satisfy these tests to continue to be entitled to the benefit, including if you are getting a benefit for which no new claims can be made.
| Benefit | Which Presence Test? | Which Residence Test? |
|---|---|---|
| Adult Disability Payment (in Scotland) | Presence and Past Presence Test | Ordinary Residence Test and Habitual Residence Test |
| Attendance Allowance | Presence and Past Presence Test | Habitual Residence Test |
| Bereavement Support Payment | Presence | Ordinary Residence Test |
| Best Start Grant (in Scotland) | No test | Ordinary Residence Test (and, if you're under 20 and don't get a qualifying benefit, Habitual Residence Test) |
| Carer’s Allowance | Presence and Past Presence Test | Habitual Residence Test |
| Child Benefit | Presence and Living in UK for three months | Ordinary Residence Test and Right to Reside Test |
| Child Disability Payment (in Scotland) | Presence and Past Presence Test | Ordinary Residence Test and Habitual Residence Test |
| Child Tax Credit (new claims only possible for refugees) | Presence and Living in UK for three months | Ordinary Residence Test and Right to Reside Test |
| Child Winter Heating Assistance (in Scotland) | No test | Live in Scotland |
| Contributory Employment and Support Allowance | Presence | No test |
| Contribution-based Jobseeker’s Allowance | Presence | No test |
| Council Tax Support | Presence | Habitual Residence Test and Right to Reside Test |
| Disability Living Allowance | Presence and Past Presence Test | Habitual Residence Test |
| Funeral Payment / Funeral Support Payment (in Scotland) | Presence | Ordinary Residence |
| Guardian's Allowance | Presence and Living in UK for three months | Ordinary Residence Test and Right to Reside Test |
| Housing Benefit | Presence | Habitual Residence Test and Right to Reside Test |
| Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (no new claims can be made) | Presence | Habitual Residence Test and Right to Reside Test |
| Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (no new claims can be made) | Presence | Habitual Residence Test and Right to Reside Test |
| Income Support (no new claims can be made) | Presence | Habitual Residence Test and Right to Reside Test |
| Industrial Injuries Benefits | Presence | No test |
| Maternity Allowance | Presence | No test |
| Pension Credit | Presence | Habitual Residence Test and Right to Reside Test |
| Personal Independence Payment | Presence and Past Presence Test | Habitual Residence Test |
| Scottish child payment (in Scotland) | Presence | Ordinary Residence |
| State Pension | Presence | No Test |
| Sure Start Maternity Grant | No test | Live in England and Wales |
| Universal Credit | Presence | Habitual Residence Test and Right to Reside Test |
| Winter Fuel Payment | No test | Ordinary Residence |
| Winter heating payment (in Scotland) | No test | Live in Scotland |
| Working Tax Credit (no new claims can be made) | Presence | Ordinary Residence |
| Young Carer Grant (in Scotland) | No test | Ordinary Residence Test and Habitual Residence Test |
The following benefits have no residence or presence rules:
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