Presence and Residence Tests - Which Presence or Residence Tests do I have to pass?
To get most benefits you have to be present in the UK and pass tests about your residency. This guide explains more about this.
- Last reviewed 09 October 2025
Which Presence or Residence Tests do I have to pass?
Check the table below to find out which presence and residence tests you have to satisfy in order to get a particular benefit. Note that you must continue to satisfy these tests to continue to be entitled to the benefit, including if you are getting a benefit for which no new claims can be made.
| Benefit | Which Presence Test? | Which Residence Test? |
|---|---|---|
| Adult Disability Payment (in Scotland) | Presence and Past Presence Test | Ordinary Residence Test and Habitual Residence Test |
| Attendance Allowance | Presence and Past Presence Test | Habitual Residence Test |
| Bereavement Support Payment | Presence | Ordinary Residence Test |
| Best Start Grant (in Scotland) | No test | Ordinary Residence Test (and, if you're under 20 and don't get a qualifying benefit, Habitual Residence Test) |
| Best Start Foods (in Scotland) | No test | Ordinary Residence Test (and, if you're under 20 and don't get a qualifying benefit, Habitual Residence Test) |
| Carer’s Allowance | Presence and Past Presence Test | Habitual Residence Test |
| Carer Support Payment (in Scotland) | Presence and Past Presence Test | Ordinary Residence Test and Habitual Residence Test |
| Child Benefit | Presence | Ordinary Residence Test and Right to Reside Test |
| Child Disability Payment (in Scotland) | Presence and Past Presence Test | Ordinary Residence Test and Habitual Residence Test |
| Child Winter Heating Payment (in Scotland) | No test | Live in Scotland |
| Contributory Employment and Support Allowance | Presence | No test |
| Contribution-based Jobseeker’s Allowance | Presence | No test |
| Council Tax Support | Presence | Habitual Residence Test and Right to Reside Test |
| Disability Living Allowance | Presence and Past Presence Test | Habitual Residence Test |
| Funeral Expenses Payment / Funeral Support Payment (in Scotland) | Presence | Ordinary Residence |
| Guardian's Allowance | Presence and Living in UK for three months | Ordinary Residence Test and Right to Reside Test |
| Healthy Start Food | No test | Ordinary Residence |
| Housing Benefit | Presence | Habitual Residence Test and Right to Reside Test |
| Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (no new claims can be made) | Presence | Habitual Residence Test and Right to Reside Test |
| Industrial Injuries Benefits | Presence | No test |
| Job Start Payment (in Scotland) | No test | Live in Scotland |
| Maternity Allowance | Presence | No test |
| Pension Age Disability Payment (in Scotland) | Presence and Past Presence Test | Ordinary Residence Test and Habitual Residence Test |
| Pension Age Winter Heating Payment (in Scotland) | No test | Ordinary Residence in Scotland |
| Pension Credit | Presence | Habitual Residence Test and Right to Reside Test |
| Personal Independence Payment | Presence and Past Presence Test | Habitual Residence Test |
| Scottish Adult Disability Living Allowance (in Scotland) | Presence and Past Presence Test | Ordinary Residence Test and Habitual Residence Test |
| Scottish Child Payment (in Scotland) | Presence | Ordinary Residence |
| State Pension | Presence | No Test |
| Sure Start Maternity Grant | No test | Live in England or Wales |
| Universal Credit | Presence | Habitual Residence Test and Right to Reside Test |
| Winter Fuel Payment | No test | Ordinary Residence in England or Wales |
| Winter Heating Payment (in Scotland) | No test | Live in Scotland |
| Young Carer Grant (in Scotland) | No test | Ordinary Residence Test and Habitual Residence Test |
The following benefits have no residence or presence rules:
Was this page helpful?
Tell us the problem
*Required
Thank you
Thank you for your feedback. If you would like to tell us more, please visit our contact us page.