Claim benefits if you’re fleeing violence in Israel, the Occupied Palestinian Territories or Lebanon
British and Irish citizens and people with valid immigration status escaping the violence in Israel, the Occupied Palestinian Territories or Lebanon can claim benefits from the day they arrive in the UK.
You may be eligible to apply for benefits from the day you arrive in the UK from Israel, the Occupied Palestinian Territories or Lebanon. Eligibility rules have changed so that British and Irish citizens, and people with valid immigration status, can claim benefits faster if they are escaping the violence in the region that began on 7 October 2023.
The Occupied Palestinian Territories are Gaza, the West Bank and East Jerusalem. This guidance also applies to people coming from the Golan Heights.
Eligibility
To apply for benefits from the day you arrive in the UK if you must:
- have been resident in Israel, the Occupied Palestinian Territories or Lebanon before 7 October 2023
- be fleeing the violence since 7 October 2023
- have British or Irish citizenship or valid immigration status to the UK
- meet the eligibility criteria for the benefits you want to claim
Changes to eligibility criteria
Changes were made to the eligibility criteria so that, from 27 October 2023, you automatically pass normal residency tests upon arrival in the UK from Israel, the Occupied Palestinian Territories and Lebanon if escaping the violence since 7 October 2023.
Usually, people who have recently arrived in the UK have to wait until they meet the residency tests to be eligible for certain benefits.
Benefits you could claim
The benefits you could claim include:
- Universal Credit
- Housing Benefit
- Pension Credit
- Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
- Disability Living Allowance for children
- Attendance Allowance
- Carer’s Allowance
Universal Credit
You can apply for Universal Credit if either:
- you are on a low income
- you are out of work
- you cannot work
Universal Credit helps towards living costs.
Housing Benefit
You can apply for Housing Benefit for help to pay your rent if you have reached State Pension age or are living in supported, sheltered or temporary housing.
You might be eligible if you are either:
- unemployed
- on a low income
- claiming certain benefits
Pension Credit
You could claim Pension Credit if you are over State Pension age and on a low income. It gives you extra money to help with living costs.
Personal Independence Payment
You can apply for the disability benefit, PIP if you have a long-term physical or mental health condition that causes difficulty doing everyday tasks or getting around. It can help with extra living costs due to your condition or disability.
Disability Living Allowance for children
Your child may qualify for Child Disability Living Allowance to help with extra costs if they are under 16 and either:
- have walking difficulties
- need much more looking after than a child of the same age who does not have a disability
Attendance Allowance
You can apply for Attendance Allowance to help with the costs of your care if you are over State Pension age and have a mental or physical disability.
Carer’s Allowance
You could claim Carer’s Allowance if you care for someone for 35 hours a week or more and they are claiming certain benefits.
If you claim compensation through the Victims of Overseas Terrorism Compensation Scheme
From 27 October 2023, payments made under the Victims of Overseas Terrorism Compensation Scheme will not affect your benefit payments.