PR questions - CSI and tax credits

[mcl]

Hello,

I am an Italian citizen and have been a permanent UK resident since 1997. I have decided to apply for British citizenship and as I understand it, my first step is to obtain a permanent residence document.

A little background: after obtaining my degree 18 years ago, I was employed for 9 years, then went into self employment in 2009 and have been freelance ever since.

My application should be fairly straightforward, but I do have a couple of questions.

1. I have detailed my degree studies in my application, even if they refer to a time far outside of my qualifying 5-year period. The application asks about my healthcare arrangements during that time. I do not remember having an EHIC, or if I did, I cannot document having one - I was just registered with my local GP. Can my application be turned down on the basis of not having CSI, even if this happened outside of the last five years?

2. I claimed child and work tax credits for two years between 2013 and 2015, after I divorced and my ex moved out. As this falls during my qualifying period, does it increase my chances of being refused PR?

Apologies for such basic questions, and many thanks in advance.

[NikiGio]

1. I have detailed my degree studies in my application, even if they refer to a time far outside of my qualifying 5-year period. The application asks about my healthcare arrangements during that time. I do not remember having an EHIC, or if I did, I cannot document having one - I was just registered with my local GP. Can my application be turned down on the basis of not having CSI, even if this happened outside of the last five years?

No, it can't. Make sure you write a covering letter explaining very clearly and multiple times (and highlighting in bold) what your 5-year period is.

I would *not* detail the degree in the application, given it's outside your 5-year period so it's irrelevant to the application. Just say in the covering letter that you've studied in the UK during xx time doing xx degree, but that you've answered 'No' as it's irrelevant to the PR application as outside the 5-year period. This means you don't need to give details of CSI/EHIC.

[NikiGio]

2. I claimed child and work tax credits for two years between 2013 and 2015, after I divorced and my ex moved out. As this falls during my qualifying period, does it increase my chances of being refused PR?

No, it doesn't increase your chances of being refused - it's irrelevant.

Answer 'No' to this question on the form. Then explain in covering letter that you receivedchild/tax credits during xx years, but that you're not including further details as this was outside 5-year qualifying period hence irrelevant to application.

Good luck!

[NikiGio]

as I understand it, my first step is to obtain a permanent residence document.

Correct - make sure you use the EEA (PR) form.

[mcl]

2. I claimed child and work tax credits for two years between 2013 and 2015, after I divorced and my ex moved out. As this falls during my qualifying period, does it increase my chances of being refused PR?

No, it doesn't increase your chances of being refused - it's irrelevant.

Answer 'No' to this question on the form. Then explain in covering letter that you receivedchild/tax credits during xx years, but that you're not including further details as this was outside 5-year qualifying period hence irrelevant to application.

Good luck!

Thank you so much for taking the time to respond and for the great advice! I'll do as you suggest.

The child and working tax credits were actually received during the qualifying period, but I was working and paying tax during that time. Does that change my status?

Many thanks again.

[NikiGio]

The child and working tax credits were actually received during the qualifying period, but I was working and paying tax during that time. Does that change my status?

OK - no, it doesn't.

Claiming benefits does not affect your chances at all.

However - if you claimed during QP, then answer 'Yes' to this question and give as much detail as you can on the application form. If you have any paper evidence, include it (one piece of evidence per year).

[mcl]

[sequote=NikiGio post_id=1689950 time=1539024639 user_id=202915]

The child and working tax credits were actually received during the qualifying period, but I was working and paying tax during that time. Does that change my status?

OK - no, it doesn't.

Claiming benefits does not affect your chances at all.

However - if you claimed during QP, then answer 'Yes' to this question and give as much detail as you can on the application form. If you have any paper evidence, include it (one piece of evidence per year).


[/quote]

It makes sense, thank you. I haven't kept any of the paperwork, but I can detail the date of each payment through my bank statements (thank goodness for online banking!)

Off to submit the application! Thanks again for your feedback.

[NikiGio]

It makes sense, thank you. I haven't kept any of the paperwork, but I can detail the date of each payment through my bank statements (thank goodness for online banking!)

To get evidence of receiving tax credits during QP, if you haven't got any paperwork - you can contact HMRC to get a summary of the award letters:

https://www.tax.service.gov.uk/shortforms/form/DPU_SAR

For tax credits general enquiries:

https://www.gov.uk/government/organisat ... -enquiries

Bank statements showing payments are also good - if you use online banking statements or summaries of transactions, each page needs to be stamped by your bank. If they're paper originals sent by post, no need for stamp.

Hope all goes well.