my girlfriend is Bulgarian she lives with me and we are now unemployed can we receive the jsa for couples?

[Kevin]

my girlfriend is Bulgarian she lives with me and we are now unemployed can we receive the jsa for couples?
in the u.k.

[Alex G]

Yes you can.
Bulgaria offers unemployment benefits for British citizens.

[Andi]

If you have paid enough into the NI system (1 UK tax year)
then you will each get (each person claiming)
"Contribution-based Jobseeker’s Allowance is a personal benefit "

for public benefits.
She is not however your wife and therefore family member,
A family member is usually taken as spouse or if your home country supports it, long term 'as married' partner. Simply gf/bf does not do it and not usually for benefits either (though just to be awlward, they do look at bfgf income into the houshold as a part of the assessment).

alternatively:
If and when some one has PR (permanant Residence) then they can claim local benefits. It takes 5 years living and supporting themselves (no public benefits) to claim PR as an EUcitizen in a different EU country.

So your gf can definitely claim or be claimed for (if seen as a true partner), for earned (NI based) JSA, but not neccesarily for UK public benefits JSA (the one after 6 months usually) or other benefits.

EU law states, it is down to the local country's social security system to decide if your are considered a normal resident and if she can claim/be included in a claim for public benefits based JSA etc.

http://europa.eu/youreurope/citizens/wor...dex_en.htm
"The decision on which country is to be considered your place of residence will be made by the social security authority and not by yourself."


Right to work In the 1st 5 years (before PR),
The person is allowed to work and remain so long as they are self-supporting.
When 1st comming to the UK/other country they are on Home country JSA.
And this is what will happen after the NI based JSA runs out.
you transfer your rights from your home country.

If you have enough income - fine, you can be her self-support.
The governement will not be, unless as about it decides to.

Looking for work abroad - see EU rules:
http://europa.eu/youreurope/citizens/wor...dex_en.htm
"Your new country might wait until you have established a genuine link with the local employment market before granting some types of financial support to help you find work "
e.g. get PR.


her right to benefits
http://europa.eu/youreurope/citizens/wor...dex_en.htm
and she needs her NHIC card

Social security systems - by country for after work is established.
http://ec.europa.eu/social/main.jsp?catId=858&langId=en

UK benifits under EU law document: - see page 26
http://ec.europa.eu/employment_social/em...0UK_en.pdf


NB there is is an international Free Phone (00 800) No
00 800 6 7 8 9 10 11
That may help.

and likewise, there is an email query form (if your claim is not accepted)
https://ec.europa.eu/citizensrights/css/...source=yec