Has anyone any information re. this situation. My friend is in the above category in the UK and wants to get his G/F over there. On this benefit he is allowed to work as and when something suitable turns up job wise. This allowance isn't mentioned on the list of benefits on the Embassy website.

He doesn't think he can do it because of his situation, but if he can get her over there, he will marry her as soon as his divorce is clear. he does not have to pay out any large sums to ex Mrs either.

Has anyone been in or heard of a similar situation?

It is my belief than living in a council house, provided he has a bona fida contract and pays the rent, together with being in receipt of incapacity benefit should not preclude him from sponsoring a wife for settlement.

From what little you have said though are we to believe he subsists on the incapacity benefit and odd jobs alone? If he receives any other assistance such as housing benefit, council tax rebate, income support, pension credits, job seekers allowance then many of those would be considered public funds.

The sponsor can be in receipt of public funds but his wife will not be allowed to receive them so the main factor here would seem to be if any assistance he currently receives would increase by law if his status changed from single to partnership. The minimum income that the government has decided a single person can manage on is lower than that which a couple would need.

He must demonstrate, as a sponsor, that he can manage on his current income or private means and that he could continue to manage when his wife joins him.