Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to her Answer of 3 November 2021 to Question 904085, whether arrangements are in place to ensure that EU citizens who are in receipt of benefits when they apply to the EU settlement scheme do not have their benefits withdrawn on the grounds of their immigration status during the processing of their application.

As of 1st July 2021, EU, EEA and Swiss citizens are required to have a valid immigration status or a validated application to the EU Settlement Scheme to access non-contributory benefits.

However, benefit payments for existing EU, EEA and Swiss claimants without status did not stop automatically on 1st July 2021. DWP has taken a pragmatic approach and, before initiating compliance action, has encouraged these claimants to apply to the EU Settlement Scheme via letters, SMS text messages, messages through the Universal Credit journal, telephone calls face to face appointments and home visits.

EU, EEA and Swiss citizens who are currently in receipt of benefits and have applied to the EU Settlement Scheme, will continue receiving payments until their application has been determined.