EU citizens living in B&NES who have not yet registered with the Government’s EU Settlement Scheme are being urged to do so.

Anyone identified by the Department of Work and Pensions as not having applied for the right to remain living in the UK will soon receive a letter encouraging them to apply, so that they can continue to receive DWP benefits.

Since May this year, Bath & North East Somerset Council has been publicising the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) deadline and supporting EU citizens across the district with their applications. Despite communications from the Government and the Council, there are still some EU citizens and their family members who have not applied for the scheme. The letters going out from the DWP will ask residents to apply within 28 days of receipt, or their benefits could be suspended.

The Council will be contacting residents who receive housing benefit to ensure they are aware of the need to apply. Citizens Advice Bureau can support residents who need help with registering and can be contacted via their website, by phone on: 0344 848 7919 or freephone: 0808 278 7897.

The EU Settlement Scheme allows EU citizens, and their EU and non-EU family members to get the immigration status they need to continue to live, work and study in the UK and remain eligible for access to public services. The deadline for applying was 30th June 2021. Applications to the scheme can only be made online. More information at: www.gov.uk/eu-settled-status