State Benefits In The Uk

[mazo]

hello

If my thai wife and baby came to england would they be entitled to any state benefits or any public funds at all. My wife could not work because of the babys age so would they be 100% dependent upon me is there any help

chears mazo

[GU22]

I assume you mean if they came to settle, not for a visit.

Your wife would not be able to claim any public funds until she has obtained Indefinite Leave to Remain, two years after she arrives with a spouse visa. However, both she and the child would be entitled to free NHS treatment.

You can claim certain funds on their behalf, eg. child benefit and working tax credit.

For the full details, see Public funds

[samran]

but, correct me if I am wrong, a majority (if not all) of the benefits based on having a child can be received if the father (UK national) applies for them instead of the mother.

[GU22]

You are correct, Samran, the father, providing he's a UK citizen or otherwise entitled, can claim benefits relating to the child, e.g. working tax credit and child benefit and (I missed off before) child tax credit.

However, what he cannot do is claim any extra income support or housing benefit, for example, because he now has a wife and child. In other words, a sponsor who is receiving state benefits can get a visa for their partner and children, provided they do not need to claim any extra benefits to support them. (With the exceptions mentioned above.)

Edited June 27, 2006 by GU22