The test case was brought on behalf of two Romanian nationals, known as Geanina Fratila and Razvan Tanase, who went to the UK in 2014 and 2019 respectively.
In 2019, Tanase, who is severely disabled and Fratila, his carer, were granted pre-settled status in the UK under the EU Settlement Scheme but were refused access to universal credit, a means-tested benefit to which they were entitled.
In a landmark ruling the UK Court ruled that Ms Fratila and Mr Tanase had been unlawfully discriminated against on the grounds of their nationality, breaching EU law.
The case was brought by Child Poverty Action Group, a UK based NGO working on behalf of the estimated one in four children in the UK who grow up in poverty.
Child Poverty Action Group Welfare Rights Adviser Martin Williams told this site, “The judgment will bring justice and protection to thousands of EU citizens who have made Britain their home while the UK was still part of the EU, or during the transition period, and are on the path to settled status in the UK”.
“The Coronavirus pandemic has graphically illustrated how anyone can suddenly find they need help. We have seen EU citizens and their children left destitute by this discriminatory rule, through no fault of their own.”
Further comment on the case comes from Tamara Flanagan, head of projects at the campaign group, New Europeans UK, who said: “Congratulations and thanks to Child Poverty Action Group for bringing this case. There are over 1.8 million EU citizens in the UK with pre-settled status (40 percent of the total), and this is a very welcome breakthrough for many of the most vulnerable communities we work with in the UK.”
“Until this case was heard, EU citizens with pre-settled status would have had no idea what would happen to them if they lost their job or fell into destitution. The UK Home Office says its wants to reassure all EU citizens in the UK, but the Department of Work and Pensions clearly thinks it can still deny some EU citizens access to services and benefits" Roger Casale, executive director of New Europeans
The UK government may still try to overturn the judgement by going to the Supreme Court and there will be no change in rules until 21 February.
In the meantime, Colin Yeo, a UK barrister, told this site, “Anyone who has not claimed because they thought their pre-settled status would not make them eligible should seek advice on whether they should now do so.”
Roger Casale, executive director of New Europeans, noted, “Until this case was heard, EU citizens with pre-settled status would have had no idea what would happen to them if they lost their job or fell into destitution.”
“The UK Home Office says its wants to reassure all EU citizens in the UK, but the Department of Work and Pensions clearly thinks it can still deny some EU citizens access to services and benefits."
Casale added, "We know from our own research that it is often the most vulnerable who are least able to cope with the new digital status and the least likely to appeal or go to court when the system fails them. The UK Government needs to do better.”
"Specifically, central UK Government needs to improve cross-departmental coordination and issue clearer guidance. It must get cases right first time.”
Free movement comes to an end in the UK on 31 December, and EU citizens resident in the UK have a six month grace period to secure their status.