The Habitual Residence Test

The Habitual Residence Test was introduced on 1 August 1994. The test is applied to all people (unless they fall into one of the exempt categories), including returning British nationals , who have recently arrived in the country and who claim certain means-tested social security benefits, or seek housing assistance from a local authority. For benefit purposes, a person who fails the Habitual Residence Test is treated as a ‘person from abroad’ and is therefore ineligible for benefit.