Sarah reminds parishes not to lose European nationals

Diocesan Clergy Welfare Coordinator Sarah Truman is reminding parishes to ensure that their EEA nationals have applied to the EU Settlement Scheme before June 30.

Sarah, who previously worked at the Citizens Advice Bureau, has highlighted the importance of this date for European Economic Area (EEA) nationals who have lived in the UK prior to 31 December 2020. If they would like to remain legally resident in the UK, they must apply to the EU Settlement Scheme before June 30.

The EEA countries are Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Republic of Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain and Sweden.

All members of the family will need to apply separately – children are not automatically included in a parent’s application and separate applications need to be made for them. The application is free.

Those who have indefinite leave to remain will not need to apply. However, a previously issued Permanent Residence Card will no longer be valid and people will still need to apply to the Scheme. It does not matter if people have been here for many years or that their children were born here – they still need to apply.

Once they have settled or pre-settled status under the Scheme people will be able to:

Stay in the UK
Work
Enrol in education or study
Use the NHS for free if they can at the moment
Access public funds such as benefits and pensions if they are eligible for them
Rent a home

After June 30 people may be asked to prove their right to do these things.  Previous EU rights will no longer make people eligible and they will lose their legal right to access these.

For more details on the Scheme, how to apply and sources of help, please click on this link.

There is more information available here and if you need it in other languages please click here.

You can ring Citizens Advice Adviceline on 0800 144 8848

Pictured above is Sarah Truman

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