EU Settlement Scheme – COVID-19 update
30 March 2020
The Home Office has confirmed that, whilst EU Settlement Scheme Applications will continue to be processed, the likelihood is that they will take longer than usual, due to the outbreak of COVID-19.
More than three million people have been granted status through the settlement scheme, but some of the support services that deal with this, and the associated application routes have been temporarily amended, or suspended.
The Settlement Resource Centre (SRC) will no longer be receiving telephone calls but will continue to respond to any questions submitted via email and will make call backs where required. If possible, emails from support organisations will be prioritised.
ID document scanner locations are currently suspended following recent Public Health England advice in order to protect staff.
No documents will be accepted by post at present, but any that are sent in will be returned as soon as possible. As the postal route for submitting identity evidence has been suspended, applications should be made online using the “EU exit ID Document check app”.
Some of the services offered by 57 grant-funded voluntary and community sector organisations have been suspended but they wish to provide support in line with social distancing guidance. This could be by providing assistance either over the telephone or online. For further details, check with the relevant individual organisation.
The Home Office has reiterated that the deadline of 30 June 2021 for applications to the EU Settlement Scheme is still 15 months away and that there is still plenty of support available online for anyone wishing to apply.
EU citizens within the UK can apply online through Assisted Digital, which offers help over the phone, should they lack the confidence to apply using the normal route.
Materials are available in 26 languages at the translated communications materials section of the Gov.UK website.
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