Feeling despair - financial req (old ILR rules)

It has been over a year since my last (temp) job. The economy here is terrible, my husband and I have tried everything and neither of us are able to find any sort of reliable employment at all (we're in the Newcastle area).

I entered the UK in August of 2011, so I'm eligible under the old rules when it comes time for me to apply for my ILR (Nov 2011, correct?).

However I'm deeply worried about our financial situation. We've run through most of our savings and my husband has now had to resort to going on public funds (he's a UK citizen), to get benefits for himself and our son.

I can't find any clear-cut place that spells out what finances are needed to be acceptable for the ILR interview.  Maybe I'm just overlooking it: is there a place that spells it out?

I'm really worried. I don't want us to be on the dole, I want to be a contributing (future) member of the UK citizenry. I don't want to get expelled from the country after we've scrimped and saved and done everything we can to be here. We're actually managing (just barely) on public assistance right now. I just can't believe it's taken this long to get employed.

So in a nutshell: do they look at public assistance as a black mark against my ILR? Where (if any) is there a place that lists the bare minimum of income they'd require so I can stay here?

I entered in August 2011 too.  I think you'll be eligible to apply 30 days before the date you entered.

As I understand it, as long as you haven't claimed benefits, you should be ok.

It has been over a year since my last (temp) job. The economy here is terrible, my husband and I have tried everything and neither of us are able to find any sort of reliable employment at all (we're in the Newcastle area).

I entered the UK in August of 2011, so I'm eligible under the old rules when it comes time for me to apply for my ILR (Nov 2011, correct?).

However I'm deeply worried about our financial situation. We've run through most of our savings and my husband has now had to resort to going on public funds (he's a UK citizen), to get benefits for himself and our son.

I can't find any clear-cut place that spells out what finances are needed to be acceptable for the ILR interview.  Maybe I'm just overlooking it: is there a place that spells it out?

I'm really worried. I don't want us to be on the dole, I want to be a contributing (future) member of the UK citizenry. I don't want to get expelled from the country after we've scrimped and saved and done everything we can to be here. We're actually managing (just barely) on public assistance right now. I just can't believe it's taken this long to get employed.

So in a nutshell: do they look at public assistance as a black mark against my ILR? Where (if any) is there a place that lists the bare minimum of income they'd require so I can stay here?

You can apply for ILR 28 days before your 2-year qualifying period. So, if you arrived 30 August 2011, then you could apply 2 August 2013- no sooner. You must apply before your spouse visa expires.

There is no set amount of money you must make to meet the requirements; I believe they are looking to make sure you have not & will not have the need for public funds. I'm not sure how it will look thst your hubby has collected benefits- perhaps someone else could comment on that? You can, since you're under old law, have financial help from others, such as family members, so if you have any family members who would be willing to help if needed & provide their financial details (in the form of bank statements, etc.), that can help you out in your situation, too.

Another way you could save yourself a few pennies is by applying through post rather than Public Enquiry Office- it's £991 versus £1,377.

Sorry you're in such a tough situation. I've found it hard to find decent employment, too.

I entered in August 2011 too.  I think you'll be eligible to apply 30 days before the date you entered.

As I understand it, as long as you haven't claimed benefits, you should be ok.

Thank you both for your words of advice.

Shandy, I personally haven't claimed any benfits, no. But my husband's benefits are helping to pay for the roof over our heads, the council tax and some money towards our son, so indirectly I AM benefiting (obviously).

Your UK husband can apply for benefits. YOU cannot apply for benefits.

And you have not done so.

I know of at least three people who were (maybe still are) on this board, who had a UK spouse who was totally unemployed, and the USC was also out of work, and they had kids, and the spouse was on benefits, and they got their ILR approved.

When I was freaking out about my ILR and income, even tho neither myself or my hubby are/were on benefits, we are just kinda broke after bills, they sent me private emails and told me their situation and told me they were approved. Which was very kind and thoughtful of them to do. It made me feel a lot better. I don't want to say their names, but maybe that will also email you too.

They were all under the old rules.

I don't personally know of anyone who was denied ILR specifically and only for 'a lack of funds' under the old rules. And, I know a lot of broke people living here in the UK, who have gone up for ILR.

Two years is simply not a long time to reestablish yourself and build a career in a new country, especially in this economic climate.

nursefoxfire, it is going to be OK.

Stay cool. 

Just 'tick the boxes' that you do tick, and make copies of everything, and calm down.

It will be OK.

They were all under the old rules.

I don't personally know of anyone who was denied ILR specifically and only for 'a lack of funds' under the old rules. And, I know a lot of broke people living here in the UK, who have gone up for ILR.

Two years is simply not a long time to reestablish yourself and build a career in a new country, especially in this economic climate.

nursefoxfire, it is going to be OK.

Stay cool. 

Just 'tick the boxes' that you do tick, and make copies of everything, and calm down.

It will be OK.

Agree 100% with LaraMascara. Finances were never a major issue for ILR under the old rules. I've seen it brought up but only where there are other issues too (such as couples living apart). Your financial situation on it's own won't prevent you from getting ILR under the old rules.

Also I assume your son is British so this will give your application even more weight.

As LaraMascara said "Stay Cool" 

Thank you both for your words of advice.

Shandy, I personally haven't claimed any benfits, no. But my husband's benefits are helping to pay for the roof over our heads, the council tax and some money towards our son, so indirectly I AM benefiting (obviously).

As others have said, it's not a problem.

Your husband and son can claim as many benefits as they are entitled to, as long as you haven't claimed any for yourself, or your husband has not claimed anything extra because he is married to you.

Finances are not really an issue for old rules ILR anyway - as long as you have not claimed benefits yourself and you can show that you can still survive without claiming benefits after getting ILR (even though you will actually be allowed to), you should be fine.

Thank you! You all have given me a ray of hope!

This board is truly wonderful. I've spent all morning revamping my CV (again!) and applied for another packet of jobs, and then read these latest replies from all you dear people.

Again, thanks to everyone. I really love this country and don't want to have to leave. Granted, we did pick THE most economically depressed part of the UK to move to, but in spite of the job situation we love it here, my husband's family is close by, our son is basking in schooling and family fun, and this place is just so darn BEAUTIFUL compared to Dallas!


An aside: why do people always look at me like I'm insane, when I tell them I voluntarily chose to move to the Newcastle area? We live on the coast and it's staggeringly lovely. I'll take green grass and trees, the wild and exciting North Sea raging outside my window, a lovely little beach, history EVERYWHERE I look, over scorpions, tornadoes and heat of 100+ for weeks on end in the summer.

An aside: why do people always look at me like I'm insane, when I tell them I voluntarily chose to move to the Newcastle area? We live on the coast and it's staggeringly lovely. I'll take green grass and trees, the wild and exciting North Sea raging outside my window, a lovely little beach, history EVERYWHERE I look, over scorpions, tornadoes and heat of 100+ for weeks on end in the summer.

I think it's a case of "the grass is greener on the other side".

An aside: why do people always look at me like I'm insane, when I tell them I voluntarily chose to move to the Newcastle area? We live on the coast and it's staggeringly lovely. I'll take green grass and trees, the wild and exciting North Sea raging outside my window, a lovely little beach, history EVERYWHERE I look, over scorpions, tornadoes and heat of 100+ for weeks on end in the summer.

I live in the Durham/Sunderland area and agree the coast is amazing, I love it here!