FAQ

What happens to people who have settled or pre-settled and then lose their jobs?

There is no requirement for people with pre or settled status to work in the UK to retain their status. Your rights in the UK are maintained regardless of your employment status and, if necessary and eligible, you can apply for benefits to support yourself. 

However, it is important to know that pre-settled status holders are only eligible for welfare benefits and housing assistance if they satisfy an alternative ‘right to reside’, such as being a worker, having retained worker’s rights or having acquired permanent residence rights (even if not yet granted settled status).  Do not wait to claim Universal Credit if you were made involuntarily unemployed, You must claim as soon as you lose your job. Do not wait. Find out more in this article Universal Credit for EU citizens (don’t wait to claim!) 

With settled status, you can leave the UK for up to 5 years (4 years for Swiss citizens and their family members) without losing that status (see also this FAQ on settled status 5-year absences).

With pre-settled status, you must be careful to maintain continuous residence, so that you can  convert your pre-settled status to settled status after 5 years of residence in the UK.