UK EXPATS - CHANGES RE S1 FORM FOR THOSE WHO RECEIVE PERSONAL INDEPENDENCE PAYMENT, DISABILITY LIVING ALLOWANCE, ATTENDANCE ALLOWANCE OR CARER'S ALLOWANCE

 

This review affects those who are in receipt of Personal Independence Payment, Disability Living Allowance, Attendance Allowance, or Carer's Allowance who wish to make a new application for an S1 form from 1 Jan 2021 onwards only. Please note that this policy change does not affect those who qualify for an S1 form on the basis of another benefit, such as a UK State Pension.

 It is worth bearing in mind these key points:

1. This policy change does not affect those who qualify for an S1 form on the basis of another benefit, such as a UK state Pension
2. There will be no changes for those in receipt of these benefits with existing S1 forms
3. Those with time-limited S1 cover will be able to renew their S1 form (even after Jan 1) as long as they are still in receipt of the benefit. 

Changes to who can get an S1 form

The rules are changing around S1 cover for people who claim the following exportable benefits:

• Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
• Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
• Carer's Allowance (CA)
• Attendance Allowance (AA)

These benefits currently entitle you to an S1 form if you moved to an EU country, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein or Switzerland, for as long as you receive that benefit.

This change to S1 cover affects people who do not yet have an S1 form. It is not due to the UK leaving the EU.

If you do not yet have an S1 form

If you receive one of the exportable benefits listed above, you can apply for an S1 form until 31 December 2020.

For applications after 1 January 2021, you will no longer get an S1 form based on receiving one of the above benefits.

You may be entitled to an S1 form through exporting a UK State Pension or other qualifying benefit if you are in scope of the Withdrawal Agreement.

If you already have an S1 form

You'll continue to be covered by your S1 form if you already have one for as long as you're receiving one of the above benefits.

If you have a time-limited S1 form, you can apply to renew it after 31 December 2020, as long as you’re still receiving one of the benefits listed above.

How to use an S1 form

Once issued, register the S1 form with the relevant authority in your country of residence.

Often you need to do this before you can register for healthcare or obtain a medical card.

Once you have registered your S1 in the country you're moving to, you'll be entitled to apply for and use a UK-issued EHIC to access state-funded necessary medical treatment when you visit other EEA countries.

You cannot apply online for a UK-issued EHIC. Instead, you'll need to request an EHIC-E application form with Overseas Healthcare Services.

Call 0191 218 1999 from the UK or +44 (0)191 218 1999 from abroad, Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm.

Website:  S1 nonpension