Citizens Advice Bournemouth, Christchurch & Poole is running a project assisting vulnerable EU Nationals to apply for Settled Status.
Since June 2019 the project funded by the Home Office, has been helping local people throughout Dorset to apply for the new immigration status they will need post-Brexit.
The EU Settlement Scheme has been introduced by the UK Home Office to ensure that EU, EEA or Swiss Citizens can easily apply for the right to continue living and working in the UK after 30th June 2021. Alongside project partners Dorset Race Equality Council and Citizens Advice in Dorset, Citizens Advice BCP has been raising awareness of the scheme by engaging with local communities and encouraging applicants to apply. Assistance is offered to those who may have difficulty applying by trained caseworkers, who can help to complete the digital application. Citizens Advice’s support is free for all local residents, and the scheme is also free to apply to.
Kirsty Pemberton, Project Coordinator, has said “It is surprising to us just how many Dorset residents are unaware of the scheme and of the need to apply. There are many local people who have lived in the UK for most of their lives who are confused and concerned about the scheme and have come to us for guidance. Significant numbers of local people, who have arrived in the UK under Free Movement since the EU was formed, are vulnerable to being left behind by the scheme, especially due to the application being entirely digital. Our aim is to reach, engage and assist as many of these people as possible so that they can continue with their lives in the UK free of any anxiety.”
The deadline for applications is likely to be December 2020. The EUSS project team can be reached at euss.advice@citizensadvicebcp.org.uk