16th October 2020
The Highland Council is reminding people about the support that is available for anyone who needs to apply to the EU Settlement Scheme in order to continue living in the UK after 31 December 2020.
The EU Settlement Scheme allows you and your family members to get the immigration status that you will need to continue to live, work and study in the UK.
This status means that you can continue to be eligible for:
•public services, such as healthcare and schools
•public funds and pensions
•British citizenship, if you meet the requirements and want to apply
The process is free and overarching guidance is available in 26 languages - https://www.gov.uk/settled-status-eu-citizens-families
There is also a specific community group toolkit that will equip you with the right materials and information to support EU citizens to apply to stay in the UK. https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/eu-settlement-scheme-community-groups-toolkit?utm_source=6b8deba0-c247-45c8-a7f5-aea7dd4ab5ca&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=govuk-notifications&utm_content=immediate
If you are a vulnerable individual or are seeking assistance on the EU Settlement Scheme for someone you believe to be vulnerable you can get assistance from the Inverness, Badenoch and Strathspey Citizens Advice Bureau - https://www.invernesscab.org/
As well as information for people applying to the scheme, the Council is reminding employers that there is also a special toolkit that will provide them with the right materials and information to support any EU employees apply to remain in the UK. This toolkit is available by visiting - https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/eu-settlement-scheme-employer-toolkit