Habitual Residence Test

The Habitual Residence Test is applied to determine whether a person is eligible for certain means-tested benefits, including Universal Credit and Pension Credit. A person must demonstrate that they are habitually resident in the Common Travel Area (UK, Ireland, Channel Islands, and Isle of Man), have a right to reside in the UK, and intend to settle here. Returning UK nationals may face a delay of several months before they can satisfy the test.