What is my right as a UK Residence Card Holder

[jyde]

My wife is a Polish citizen and we have a two year son who is also a Polish passport holder, i am from outside the EU state but I have a just gotten my 5 years residence card in the UK. Ever since we have been in the UK, we have never claimed as sorts of benefit or tax credit from the government because we were advised by an immigration lawyer not take anything from the govenment because we need to show that we can live without depending on the government otherwise, my residency would be affected.. Can someone advise me on what we can benefit since we both have been working in the UK, since we moved into the country 2years ago.

[Ben]

Sack your lawyer.

Article 24 of EU Directive 2004/38/EC requires that equal treatment is afforded to a citizen of the Union and his / her family members, when resident in accordance with the provisions of the Directive.

[86ti]

At least Child Benefits and possibly Child (CTC) and Working Tax Credits (WTC) depending on your income. The limits for WTC (£16.000 combined but not sure) are rather low but maybe you can get WTC (< £56.000 combined but not sure either).

[jyde]

Thanks guys , really greatful for the answers

[Directive/2004/38/EC]

I agree that your lawyer is giving you advice that does not smell right based on what you said.

You are not allowed to be cronically reliant on the government, but you can get housing benefit and a number of other things and it has no impact on your or your spouses residence in the UK.