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<p>The EU Settlement Scheme makes it easy for EU citizens and their family members
who want to stay in the UK to get the UK immigration status they need. It is free
to make an application to the scheme so that there is no financial barrier to anyone
who wishes to stay.</p><p>Applicants will only need to complete three key steps -
prove their identity, show that that they live in the UK and declare any criminal
convictions. The Home Office will check the employment and benefits records the Government
holds to establish their period of residence, meaning most applicants won’t need to
do anything to evidence their residence. Where there are gaps, a wide variety of documents
can be submitted as evidence, including a dated bank statement showing payments received
or spending in the UK, a dated letter from a UK GP or indefinite leave to remain documentation.</p><p><br>There
is also provision in the EU Settlement Scheme for applicants to apply without a valid
identity document where they are unable to obtain one for compelling practical or
compassionate reasons or due to circumstances beyond their control.</p><p><br>There
is a wide range of support available online, over the phone and in person to help
people apply. We have awarded £9 million this financial year to 57 voluntary and community
sector organisations across the UK to help us reach an estimated 200,000 vulnerable
or at-risk EU citizens and their family members.</p><p><br>Additional support is also
available to those EU citizens in the UK who do not have the appropriate access, skills
or confidence to apply online. This includes over 300 assisted digital locations across
the UK where people can be supported through their application. Since 30 March 2019,
there have only been around 6,300 appointments for Assisted Digital support. It is
one of several ways people can verify their identity, including by post. There are
also over 80 locations where applicants can have their passport scanned and verified
across the UK.</p>
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