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| Cyprus |
| Latest News |
| Moving to Cyprus |
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Email: cyprus@aff.org.uk |
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Moving to Cyprus?
National Insurance Contributions Evidence coming to us from dependants returning to the UK suggests that the reciprocal agreement is not working and the International Office for the Inland Revenue in Newcastle are telling some enquirers that contributions paid in Cyprus are "worthless". We are very keen to explore this further and, if appropriate, raise the matter with the Service Families Task Force. So, if you are experiencing problems with NICs and are willing to let us use your case as evidence, PLEASE get in touch. We cannot ask for change without your help. On the subject of NICs – are you aware that you can protect your basic NIC payments and therefore state pension contributions, whether you are working or not, if you receive Child Benefit for dependant children? If you do not know about Home Responsibilities Protection do get in touch and we can send you the application details. The process is simple and will ensure that you do not lose basic stamp cover whilst in Cyprus.
The AFF has achieved a small victory! A new policy regarding school children’s flights to Cyprus has been published after the Trooper Flight arrangement for unaccompanied minors was deemed unsuitable. With immediate effect children aged 16 and under may use civil air for the purpose of Service Children’s Visits (SVCs) to Cyprus. However children aged 17 and over are expected to use the Trooper Flight. If siblings aged above and below the threshold age are travelling together, then they must travel by Trooper Flight with the oldest child acting as escort for the younger child(ren). The Gateway House Air Transit Centre is making every effort to make younger unaccompanied passengers, and women travelling alone or with young families feel safe and supported. ‘Vulnerable’ passengers where possible are allocated their own rooms and located away from large single-sex contingents. Gateway House has recently invested in more up-to–date facilities for childcare including baby changing facilities and new indoor and outdoor play areas. The reception is manned 24 hours per day and each room has a 2-way communication system so reception staff can be contacted at the push of a button. Information sheets are available at Reception with specific details of use for unaccompanied families or teenagers. Voting - Results of AFF Post General Election 2005 Voting survey In Cyprus, 70% of those questioned did not vote. Families living overseas are disadvantaged, compared to those in the UK, as they don't receive the annual UK electoral registration form requesting residents to confirm who lives at the address. This form is generated by each constituancy and Service families overseas do not fall within a constituancy. There is a belief that the postal vote works worldwide but there is evidence here that this is unlikely. Due to ballot papers only being printed 10 days before an election, there isn't enough time for the ballot papaer to reach an overseas destination and be returned in time for an election. "I could not vote - serving in the USA the postal vote arrived the day before the election" The proxy vote is a solution but people don't feel that his is a real vote - a belief supported by anecdotal evidence of those who hold a proxy vote - "It is nice to have an extra vote" or "I've always voted for my husband/daughter but I've never told him/her how I voted". If you have moved continually throughout your spouse's career, it's also not easy to find someone you know enough to vote for you. "The person who holds my vote is now secretary of the local Conservative Branch but I don't always want to vote Conservative". Under a quarter of those surveyed in Cyprus voted, of those who did, more voted by proxy than by post. It is unlikely that the postal votes were counted due to the turnaround time for post from UK constituencies to Cyprus and back to the UK - "Ballot papers arrived on 3rd May and would have had to return on the same flight to be successful". Of the 77% who did not vote (including three Commonwealth spouses who are not allowed a vote) a quarter of these did not want to vote (although some of these, when questioned further believed that they couldn't but the response stays due to it being their initial reply). However, the remaining 80 replied that they felt there were barriers to their voting. "Voted but unsure the papers arrived on time", "I forgot - received the forms too late", "Ballot papers arrived too late", "Too difficult to register or change to proxy or postal vote", "We had no information about the change of system". If you are living overseas it's far more difficult to arrange a vote. Where is your constituency? How do you register to vote - www.aboutmyvote.com requires considerable determination to obtain specific information. The effort involved in becoming registered is considerable and time consuming; an easier system is needed so that more families have the opportunity to use their vote. A secure and fast method of postal voting or internet voting is required. Back to top Sure Start Maternity Grant If you are receiving Working Tax Credit (which includes a disability or severe disability element) or Child Tax Credit at a rate higher than the family element, you may be able to claim the Sure Start Maternity Grant. To apply for SSMG you will need Form SF100 which can be obtained via AFF Branch Office or your local HIVE It can also be downloaded from the DWP website www.dwp.gov.uk. There is a fixed period during which you may apply and this is 11 weeks before the week your baby is due, until 3 months after your baby is born. Previously, SSMG was paid locally via your Unit Administration Office. However, this changed in 2005 and you now need to apply via the Jobcentre Plus located at your last posting area in the The quickest way to obtain the postal address is by logging onto the following website www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk, click on ‘Contact us’ followed by ‘My nearest office’ and type in the name of the town or city: this is the address to which your completed Sure Start Maternity Grant application should be sent but remember to add ‘Social Fund Section’ to the address. Keep a note of the telephone number in case you need to check on your claim’s progress. Make sure all sections are completed including the health professional’s statement on the back page and if possible keep a photocopy for your records. Should the Jobcentre Plus staff contact you to give a verbal refusal ask for it in writing – this could help you in any appeal procedure. If you do not have access to a computer or need help in any way, please contact AFF Branch Office in Cyprus, Room 129, Block E, Episkopi Support Unit, BFPO 53. Tel no: 00357 25 96 2110. To download a pdf copy of the Sure Start Maternity Grant factsheet please click here Employment opportunities within the Sovereign Base Areas (SBAs) can be limited but there is a way to equip oneself with a necessary employment skill and particularly one that is portable: Childminding. AFF suggests that if you know you are coming to Personal Development – Learning Opportunities ECDL is a European qualification designed specifically for those who wish to demonstrate their competence in the use of Information Technology. From the beginning of 2004, those wishing to take the ECDL can do so at an Army Learning Centre located within an Army Education Centre. You will be expected to pay for the examination, currently sterling £30, as it is a civilian qualification but tutoring costs are free. Anyone interested in finding out more about degree courses should visit their nearest Army Education Centre at either 55 AEC in Episkopi or 54 AEC in Dhekelia, or the Education Centres at RAF Akrotiri or Ay Nik. If you are hoping to continue higher education whilst living overseas, be sure to check with your university that you can do so without extra cost. It is also important to establish whether you will be able to have access to the necessary texts and information.
There are five ALC’s on island – all of which offer learners access to over 800 courses. These range from numeracy and literacy, home office computing to specialist computing and business and management courses. The most popular subject is the home and office computing series. Many people just want to learn how to switch their PC on and check their e-mails. The more advanced may want to build a website. You can do as little or as much in a session as you want to. All Army, Navy, RAF, Civil Service personnel, locally employed civilians and their dependants are entitled to use the centres. For
Visits of children from a previous marriage The new School Children’s Visits regulations mean that no unaccompanied minors will be able to use trooper flights. This brings the issue of visits for children from a previous marriage back into the limelight. One of the few economical options for parents separated from their children is for them to try and use indulgence flights to
If you are buying a car in
Information for disabled drivers
Parking restrictions: Application for a blue badge can only be made to the Social Services Department of your local council in the A disabled person maybe exempted from road tax but this is only decided on application which should be made through Inland Department & Licensing Authority, Ministry of Communications and Work. Their contact numbers are: 00357 22807139 or 22 807137. In
From 1st October 2004 animals moving around within the EU require a European Pet Passport and a suitable travel box which complies with IATA Regulations for the movement of live animals. The passport can be obtain from your local When entering The British Animal Rehoming Centre (BARC) in Episkopi runs an Import/Export Clinic on a voluntary unpaid basis. They are available to provide you with all the information and help you require either to bring in or take home your pet. Please contact them on military 25 96 3733 or 99952707 or from the For further up-dates on this check the following web-sites: www.barc-cyprus.org and also www.defra.gov.uk and go to the Animal Health and Welfare page. You can also download a pdf copy of our factsheet by clicking here
EU changes in Freedom of movement, which covers all EU member states and their citizens, has now arrived in Of course, there is still some employment available ‘behind the wire’, although opportunities are limited. Dependants are encouraged to register with their local Civilian Labour Recruitment Office (CLRO) upon arrival. You need to take your proof of educational qualifications and an up to date CV. You then wait to be called forward for interview. You can also read the employment page of our local Forces newspaper, the Cyprus Lion, which is sold throughout the SBAs. If you are self-employed, another avenue is to apply for a Business Licence through your Station Staff Officer (SSO). Current policy means, however, that the issue of licences is restricted. For example if 7 dependants apply to the SSO for a Business Licence to run a Hairdressing Service from home, only two licences will be issued, this is because many of these services can already be offered by the local Cypriot population. Under the Treaty of Establishment, this policy is unlikely to change. Tax and National Insurance (NI) are payable at local rates. Income tax is currently 20 cents in the pound for any earnings in excess of C£10K. This rises to 25 cents for earnings over C£15K and then 30 cents over C£20K, should you be so lucky. There is a reciprocal arrangement regarding NI contributions with the
In accordance with the Treaty of Establishment, eligibility to apply for UK Dependant (UKD) jobs on any of the British Sovereign Base Areas (SBAs) is restricted to anyone married to Service personnel/Civil Servant/MOD Police or Teacher working for British Forces Cyprus. The e-mail: memsec@ukca.com.cy Paphos: UKCA Ltd, Clubhouse, Larnaca: UKCA Ltd, Clubhouse, There is booklet called “Moving to and Living in Web site : www.crocguides.com Publisher: James Franklin, There are also recruitment Agencies, and these can be found in the Yellow Pages for Limassol and Larnaca. Work can be found with offshore companies, but AFF Cyprus Branch Office does not hold a list. The companies do advertise their job vacancies in the following English language newspapers: The The Useful Contacts: The British High Commission Hotline number for general enquiries: 909 16666 – Immigration Office (Orphanides roundabout) 000357 25 805200
There are special arrangements which enable contribution-based JSA to be transferred abroad for payment in countries where EC regulations apply. This included To qualify for the TRANSFER of the
For more details about the claim procedure and read about one successful claimant’s experience, please download our Factsheets: "Claiming Contribution-Based Jobseeker’s Allowance in
Parents with children at boarding schools in the
For further details of these services request fact sheet 2/14 from the Army Families bureau. AFF Cyprus Block E, Episkopi Support Unit, BFPO 53, Tel: local 25 962110, email: cyprus@aff.org.uk |
