A 'Zambrano' carer is a person from a non-EEA state whose residence is required in order to enable a child or dependant adult, who is British, to live in the UK (or the rest of the EEA). It is a right derived from EU law, so it only applies to people who entered the UK on or before 31 December 2020.
A Zambrano carer is a parent who had sole care of a child with British citizenship. The Zambrano carer had the right to live and work in the UK (and continues to do so provided s/he applied to the EU settlement scheme on time). This right is known as a Zambrano right after the case that established it and was included in the EEA regulations (Regulation 16(5)): see the Home Office guidance on how these regulations were applied.
The parent with care was only granted this right if was the only way to guarantee the right of the (British citizen) child to continue to live in the UK (or the rest of the EEA). But it was not issued where another carer was available for the child (e.g. the other parent). Domestic violence may, of course, have affected the likelihood of this.
A Zambrano carer who entered the UK before 1 January 2021 and who applied to the EU settlement scheme (EUSS) on time can continue to live and work in the UK until their application is decided. Once it is decided, the right to live, work and to access housing and benefits depends on whether settled or pre-settled status was granted or if leave was refused.
An application to the EUSS was on time if it was made on or before 30 June 2021, or if made late on or before 8 August 2023, provided the Home Office accepts there was good cause.
Zambrano carers with EU settled status
EU settled status is a form of indefinite leave to remain. A Zambrano carer with EU settled status is eligible for housing and help if they are homeless (Class C) and universal credit/housing benefit to help pay their rent.
Zambrano carers with EU pre-settled status
A Zambrano carer with EU pre-settled status has the right to live and work in the UK and the ‘right to rent’ from a private landlord, although in England they will be subject to a right to rent check by their landlord. Any person who is homeless or threatened with homelessness within 56 days has a right to free advice and information regardless of their immigration status.
EU pre-settled status is limited leave and does not fall within any of the eligible classes for housing and homelessness services and is excluded as a qualifying right for benefits and help with rent.
A Zambrano carer with pre-settled status can apply to social services for Children Act assistance if they cannot accommodate or support themselves which can include housing at nil or a very low rent: R (Yekini) v LB Southwark (2014). They must also have the right to assistance under the Care Act 2014 if they are, or care for, a vulnerable adult.
Zambrano carers are sometimes refused Children and Care Act assistance on the grounds of their immigration status. But this is wrong because (unlike housing assistance) Children and/or Care Act assistance does not breach the terms of their leave (Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002, schedule 3 paras 1, 7; Care Act 2014, s.21; Immigration and Asylum Act 1999, s.115(9)).
EUSS applicants waiting for a decision or refused settled/pre-settled status
Provided their application was made on time, a person’s right to live, work and access housing and benefits while they wait for a decision are the same as a person who has been granted pre-settled status (SI 2020 No. 1209 reg. 4).
Early monitoring of EUSS decisions has shown that applications by Zambrano carers are often refused. If settled/pre-settled status is refused, prompt action must be taken to prevent that person from becoming an overstayer and losing their right to live in the UK. The applicant should seek immediate advice from an experienced OISC registered adviser. The applicant has the right to an administrative review but the time limit is 28 days.
