Will Brexit affect My Benefits?

The short answer to how will Brexit affect my benefits (at the time of writing this blog post) is nobody knows!

There are still very few plans in place to deal with the decision of the British people wanting to leave the EU. In fact, very few of those ‘in control’ of the country thought it would happen!

There is no doubt whatsoever that many things will change within the United Kingdom benefits system in the future. There will always be benefit changes whether we would have stayed in or left the EU.

The main difference having had the Brexit referendum is the lack of a government roadmap for the future. You might say that uncertainty rules at this point in time!

And the economy?

No one can say for sure what will happen to the UK economy in the long term. It is all guesswork and hope.

They said millions in extra funding per week would go to the NHS. Yet, does it really exist? We believe it never did exist in reality. It was a good sound-bite for some politicians during the campaign. But, now we are entering the real world of post-Brexit Britain.

Applying to the EU Settlement Scheme

A new scheme will grant settled status for EU citizens and their families to remain in the United Kingdom – as a result of ‘Brexit’.

Information in the section explains the eligibility criteria and how to apply for settled status now that the United Kingdom has left the European Union.

So, What Will Happen to Your Benefit Rights?

The overriding mission for our team is to explain the benefits system and what is available – in a language that most claimants will understand. We are not part of the government. Nor do we support any political organisation.

Our aim is to provide clear information about the welfare benefits system and to get your rightful entitlement to them.

The situation and provision of benefits as it they exist at the moment will see no change in the near future. What is law now will remain so until changed by the government.

In an orderly transition for EU to self-governed status, we envisage no changes other than those already on the books. They include Pension age changes and the continuing incursion of Universal Credit across the country.

A worsening of the economic system could very likely change those exact suppositions. Watch this space… as they say!

Expats Abroad and Pensions

The main immediate changes to those claiming benefits will affect those who are in receipt of government and private pensions, but live abroad.

If you receive any form of pension paid in UK currency (Sterling GBP) you will convert it into the currency where you now reside – Europe or otherwise.

Thus, there will be considerable disruption to how much you actually receive after the currency conversion using one of the expat banking systems.

Currency fluctuation has always been a risk for those who choose to live abroad. But, the risk increases with the present state of international currency markets.

There should be no other effect on benefit payments in the immediate future. As for the distant and long term future, no-one knows. There is no government policy on how to react to Brexit. There is no roadmap in reality, only supposition.

One of the ‘promises’ made in the Brexit was that the Pension Triple Lock would remain in place whatever the outcome. They made that particular promise on the assumption that there would be a ‘remain’ victory.

The basic fact is that all benefits are paid out of the income the country generates from all sources. If that income reduces considerably, there will be less to spend on benefits, public services, public works, and local projects.

Many things are likely to change once Britain (or England as it might be) negotiates its way out of the EU. This country is not in the driving seat.

The demands from several powerful players within the EU are that Britain has made the decision and so the severance should go ahead place as soon as possible. Total severance will take several years. Even so, it does not mean that everything stands still during the negotiations.

So, will Brexit affect my benefits?

Further blog posts will keep you informed about your benefits rights as the situation evolves. It is not our place to comment on other significant changes that will occur when Brexit is done. The aim was to provide some insight for the claimants who asked “how will Brexit affect my benefits and allowances”.

Staying Up to Date

This guidance taken from the GOV.UK website explains the rights of UK nationals in the EU, European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland to benefits and pensions if there’s a no-deal Brexit.