Website of the UK government

Disability benefits - European Court of Justice ruling

The European Court of Justice decided on 18 October 2007 that certain UK disability benefits can be paid to some people who leave the UK to live in another country in the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland. The decision affects:

• Disability Living Allowance (care component only)
• Attendance Allowance
• Carer's Allowance

For more information about this decision and what to do if you think you might be affected, see 'Disability benefits and the European Economic Area and Switzerland'.

• Disability benefits and the European Economic Area and Switzerland (disabled people section)

Claiming when abroad

You must let your social security office (this may be called a Jobcentre or Jobcentre Plus office in your area) know that you are going abroad and, if it is only a temporary move, the date you are planning to come back.

Your entitlement to benefits abroad also depends on which country you are going to. If you are going to another country in the European Economic Area (EEA) or a country which has a special arrangement with the UK, you might be able to get a benefit that you would not normally get abroad. Or you might be able to get a benefit which that country provides.

For most benefits provided by other countries under these arrangements, you will have to have paid National Insurance (NI) contributions in the UK. Form E301 is a record of UK National Insurance contributions which may help a claim for unemployment benefit in another EU country - you can download an application form for this and other related forms using the link below.

• National Insurance forms for those abroad Opens new window
• Information on the EEA Opens new window
• Find your Jobcentre Plus office Opens new window

Winter Fuel Payments

You can claim these payments in certain circumstances. To qualify, you must have been entitled to the payment when you were living in the UK, and you are moving or have moved to another EEA country, Switzerland or Gibraltar.

For more useful information contact:

Winter Fuel Payment Centre Southgate House Cardiff Central Royal Mail Cardiff CF91 1ZH

Telephone: +44 (0)29 2042 8635

• More details and forms Opens new window
• Winter Fuel Payment Centre website contains their e-mail contact form Opens new window

Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA)

Contribution-based JSA

You cannot usually get contribution-based JSA outside the EEA, but you may be able to get contribution-based JSA in the EEA for up to three months if you:

If you are going abroad permanently you cannot get income-based JSA.

You cannot usually get income-based JSA if your stay abroad is only temporary.

Check with your local Jobcentre or Jobcentre Plus office if you need to fill any forms in before you go abroad, or if you need more information about JSA.

Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP)

If you work for a UK employer in the EEA, you will usually be able to get SMP if you qualify under the general rules. If you work outside the EEA you may be able to get SMP if your employer pays NI contributions for you.

• More information on SMP Opens new window

Statutory Sick Pay (SSP)

If you work for a UK employer in the EEA, you will usually be able to get SSP as long as you qualify under the general rules. To qualify if you work outside the EEA, your employer will need to be paying NI contributions for you.

• Statutory Sick Pay Opens new window