WIREDGOV

On 1 May 2004 the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia - the A8 accession countries - joined the EU. On 1 May this year the transitional arrangements that were put into place seven years ago come to an end.

• Local authorities should ensure that the offer of reconnection is made to rough sleepers from EEA countries to enable a return to their home country. 
• An EEA national who is a jobseeker, a worker, a student, a self employed person or a self sufficient person is permitted to stay in the UK beyond an initial three month period. It is unlikely that EEA nationals who are rough sleeping will fall into these categories.
• All EEA nationals are required to show that they are habitually resident and have a settled intention to remain in the UK in order to claim out of work income related benefits. 
• There is no automatic entitlement to welfare benefits once the transitional arrangements end for A8 nationals. Each case is determined on an individual basis.
• Access to hostels or other supported accommodation is not automatic, even if an applicant satisfies the Habitual Residence Test and has an entitlement to welfare benefits. Most local authorities require evidence of a local connection to their area as a condition of access to accommodation or support services.