Brexit information for WFHA tenants

What to expect and how we can help

Brexit – Britain coming out of the European Union – will affect people in a number of ways. Here are some of the key things you might need to know, so that you can start preparing.

Straight after Brexit

If there’s a no-deal Brexit, you may find:

• some food items missing from supermarkets for a number of weeks
• some medicines unavailable – you may be offered alternatives
• food prices rise sharply due to World Trade Organisation (WTO) tariffs
• energy and other prices rise because the pound is losing value, and
• travel is disrupted, as a knock-on effect of lorries queuing at ports like
  Dover.

With or without a trade deal, many prices may rise.

Visiting EU countries

As soon as we are out of the European Union, you will need to plan any visit
to the EU differently. You will need:

• a passport with at least six months left on it
• full travel health insurance
• the right driving permit and car insurance documents
• the right papers for your pet, and
• to check the cost of using your mobile phone while you’re away –
  roaming charges will no longer apply.

Your right to stay in Britain

Brexit may change your right to stay in this country.

Who is affected

Brexit will affect most people who are living here as EU, EEA or Swiss citizens.
Only Irish citizens are exempt. The EEA includes all the EU countries, as well
as Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway.

The rules for migrants from other parts of the world will stay the same.

What will change

If the changes apply to you and any family members, you will need to apply
for the right to stay in the country. This is sometimes called ‘settled status’ or
‘indefinite leave to remain’.

You must apply to stay by:

• 30 June 2021, through the EU Settlement Scheme, if we leave the EU
  with a deal, or
• by 31 December 2020, if we leave the EU without a deal.

If you do not apply in time, you may lose your right to stay here.

What rights would I have?

Settled status

To get full settled status, you will need to prove that you have been living in
the UK, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man for five years in a row, and for
at least six months of any 12-month period. With full settled status, your right
to housing and benefits remains the same. Make sure you do not accept presettled
status by mistake. Pause your application and get advice.

Pre-settled status

If you cannot meet this rule, you may be offered pre-settled status. This will
allow you to continue living in the UK for at least another five years. Providing
you arrived in the country before Britain leaves the EU, you have the right to
housing and to claim benefits.

How to apply

You can apply online, free of charge, at: https://www.gov.uk/settled-status-eu-citizens-families

The first step is to prove your identity. You can do this using your computer, tablet or a special app on your Android mobile phone.

You then complete a short form, giving details such as your National Insurance number, so that the government can check for your work or benefit records and look for any serious criminal convictions.

The Government’s application helpline is 0300 123 7379.

Getting help to apply

In Waltham Forest, the council is offering a service to help you with your documents at Leytonstone or Walthamstow libraries. Take your biometric
passport and any residence permits for family members, as well as your mobile phone to receive text messages, or a device to receive email. The council will charge you £14 for this service.

If you need help with the rest of the form, you will need to contact the government’s assisted digital service, which can book you a face-to-face appointment at one of our libraries, or a home visit.

Leytonstone Library is at Church Lane, Leytonstone, E11 1HG. Walthamstow Library is at High Street, E17 7JN.

How we can help

We know that some of our tenants will be feeling very anxious about the changes, so we want to help.

We will:

• help you to make a call to the assisted digital service, if you need access to the full support service
• go with you to the library, if staffing allows
• help you to pay the council’s fee, if necessary, and
• help you to access information in your own language.

To find out more, call us on 020 8524 6987. Or if you are aged 50 years or over, call WFHA’s Navigator Hub on 020 3929 8080.