EU citizens living in the UK and their family members will need to apply under the EU Scheme (EUSS) to obtain their new UK immigration status as the UK exits the EU. 
Those applying under the EUSS will need to complete a digital application form, which involves three key steps. They will need to prove their identity, show that that they live in the UK, and declare that they have no serious criminal convictions. An application will cost £65 for those aged 16 years or more and £32.50 for a child less than 16 years. For those who already have valid permanent residence or indefinite leave to remain documentation, they will be able to exchange it, free of charge, for settled status. The new digital application system for the EUSS will be accessible through phones, tablets, laptops and computers. It will launch fully at the end of March 2019 and will remain open until the end of June 2021.
It is essential that vulnerable or at-risk EU citizens are supported with their EUSS application so that their status in the UK is protected. The Home Office is putting in place a series of arrangements to accommodate the diverse needs of people who will require support.
Extensive engagement with EU citizens and a range of stakeholders, including Voluntary and Community Sector (VCS) organisations and local authority representatives, has found that providing funding to a range of VCS organisations is essential. Through funding, VCS organisations can support and provide EUSS application assistance to those vulnerable or at-risk citizens who need it.
To ensure that adequate support is available to those who require it, the Home Office has up to £9 million of grant funding to be awarded in FY19/20 to multiple bidders of VCS organisations. Organisations can bid for funding via one of two lots, within the ranges of: £5,000 - £24,999 & £25,000 - £500,000. The awarded VCS organisations will be funded and supported by the Home Office to deliver practical assistance to vulnerable or at-risk EU citizens and their family members who must all complete an EUSS application.
The Home Office is seeking to build on existing engagement and refine the approach and assess provision for support services before formally commencing the open competition, expected late November 2018.
The Home Office is inviting VCS organisations to take part in an engagement teleconference to disseminate information about the EUSS and the Grant Scheme process and provide an opportunity for organisations to ask questions.
A questionnaire will be available to any VCS organisations after the teleconference and will be a vital input into refining the detail of the open competition. The questionnaire will be used (1) to inform capability, capacity and delivery expectations among VCS organisations and (2) to enable VCS organisations to contribute thoughts and feedback about the Grant Scheme.
Schedule Dates for Teleconferences
There will be three repeat teleconferences taking place on 7 and 8 November 2018:
• Wednesday 7 November 2018, 10am - 11.30am
• Wednesday 7 November 2018, 3pm - 4.30pm
• Thursday 8 November 2018, 3pm - 4.30pm
To sign up for one of the sessions, visit: www.homeofficesurveys.homeoffice.gov.uk/s/EUSSGrantsTeleconferenceReservation/
The opening date for questionnaire will be Friday 9 November 2018, with the closing date midday on Friday 23 November 2018, questionnaires should be emailed to: [email protected]
For further information, visit: www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/fd25fb5c-ec72-4a7d-981f-0623ef5e294c