Joshua

Sigognac Thanks for that explanation Maybe the person in the SS Offices just likes to say NON to Expats I'll see how we get on with the awaited changes and if it helps with the E106'ers like me Regards Joshua[:D]

Hi, The job was labouring work / second man for a UK Born Fosse Septic / General Builder ( 12+ years here ) The 61 year old had helped this guy with a few small jobs and must have gained some respect etc Perhaps he turned up on time and grafted. Lots of work came along for the Builder, so a job was created. They went along to the SS Offices to register and was told NO because of his age. I was hoping to do the same because I have the skills to build a house from the ground up and I'm still fit and able I'm getting a reputation ( I hope ) to fixing all sorts of things for friends. I'm not a cowboy builder and take pride in my work Joshua[:D]

My understanding is that, except in special circumstances, a French National must retire at 60. My E106 expires a few weeks before my 60th birthday. I look a lot older, but I've had a hard life and a big paper round ! If I go looking for work and find a job would I be allowed to take the job at 60. Its just that today I heard of someone ( an Expat ) that was refused a Security Sociale number at 61 and so had to turn the job down Joshua[:D]  

SD  I did say "seem to care" Like you, I'm sure,  I probably sent 40 to 50 emails to MP's and MEP's and more letters than I can count and whether they care or not, at least they replied which is more than nearly all of them bothered to do. I trust politicians nearly as much as  Health Insurance Company Rep's Bikers rule, until their big ends go Joshua[:D]

Dear Joshua   "Thank you for the comments you left on the Conservatives Abroad blog.  We have now received the answers to Gary Streeter’s Parliamentary Questions, which can be viewed on the Conservatives Abroad website.  We are disappointed by the non-committal answer given by the Minister. The people who are going to be affected by the French Governments decision fully researched how they would access healthcare when they moved abroad  to live in France, and it is important to look into how they can remaining the system. Gary Streeter is now calling on the Government to do more to help those who are affected.  We will keep you informed on the Conservatives Abroad website when we receive more news.  Kind Regards  Michael Rutt" They might not have got the questions worded just right but at least these guys seem to care about us, Joshua[:D]

My BH ( Better Half ) went to her French Lessons today and lots of people including the Sceptics and Ostriches in the class had all received their official notification that their CV’s were being withdrawn on the 5th January 2008. For those without the Internet this was the first time they had something in writing to confirm the worse. ( Six weeks to go ) We also received our letter this morning, all the letters must have been sent out late last week to arrive Saturday and Monday Post. The questionnaire enclosed with the letter asked the following, All the questions were also written in English. Are you in a salaried employment in a EU Country? Are you in a salaried employment in France? For example: translation, Press article, Tele-working………… Are you a non-salaried worker? (Self catering, bed and breakfast) Are you employed by a foreign employer and on a temporary assignment in France? Do you get an allowance from the ASSEDIC? Do you get Family Allowance, RMI (Minimum Wage Income), Handicapped Adult Allowance, Isolated Parent Allowance A simple Oui or Non was required Does anything in the above questionnaire help Joshua[:D]

Hi, B According to the letter of support from Chris Davies MEP,  he seems to think its everyone but the French that are affected ( see Lobbying , back a few items) Changes to French Healthcare and Non-French EU Citizens He’s signed and gives his support to the declaration submitted by Bill Newton-Dunn MEP and Mary Honeyball MEP Joshua[:D]  

Hi. Although the walk-in tests give you a quick result you really need a test done at the Laboratoires after fasting from 9.00pm the previous night. Can I recommend the Full Blood Test - Hematologie / Biochimie du Sang that your Doctor can refer you for, it includes Hemogramme Plaquettes Vitesse de Sedimentation Aspect du Serum Immunologie Prostate Cancer This gives accurate results for just about everything including good and bad cholesterol. According to our family doctor in the UK this is the far better than he's ever seen. He was well impressed ! Joshua[:)]

Tigerfeet Don't give up hope just yet. I haven't Check out the French Health Issues Website Joshua[:D]

Hi, From the people I know that have moved here from Spain their Private Health Insurance costs are generally quite a lot cheaper. If it helps I've been quoted for a couple , a man of 58 and a woman of 56 with Premier Euro With about 35% reimbursement for most things - 296 Euro per month With about 60% reimbursement ......................- 613 Euro per month With about 85% reimbursement ........................- 789 Euro per month Obviously this does not give us cover for any pre-existing illnesses or anything that can be associated with these conditions With us, its epilepsy so injuries from falls etc can and probably will be blamed on the condition We are covered, if we decide to start a family. God help me ![:D] Joshua

Well-done Deb’s We are all proud of you Call me Machiavellian, but I found the emails too one sided and a bit too convenient! Maybe the someone who selected the emails is a bit P*****d off with having to revisit the topic I’ve never heard that sentiment expressed from anyone back home in such a venomous way Joshua[:D]

I’ve today received a letter of support from Chris Davies MEP. I’ve known Chris since the early nineties and this guy is a heavyweight when it comes to the interpretation of law and legislation. He also has the knack of asking the right questions. He’s a real Peoples Champion Changes to French Healthcare and Non-French EU Citizens   He’s signed and gives his support to the declaration submitted by Bill Newton-Dunn MEP and Mary Honeyball MEP  Extracts from his letter which I find most interesting and which have lifted my spirit include. “recent reports of a further potential change in the policy that would allow “inactive” EU Retirees to maintain their rights as per the previous arrangements with the CMU” “MEP’s have asked the Commission to investigate as to whether this policy infringes the relevant European law on the basis of its discriminating against EU Citizens of other nationalities” “The Commission have confirmed to MEP’s that it will contact the French authorities with a view to obtaining detailed information about the legislation and that it shall examine its compatibility with EU law” “Directive 2004/38/EC states that EU citizens shall enjoy equal treatment with the nationals of that State, insomuch as within the scope of the Treaty’s which form the basis of EU law” “I shall continue to back calls to ensure that “inactive” EU citizens are not discriminated against by French government policy and welcome reports of a change in favour of the restoration of rights to those citizens” Chris Davies also makes the point that “we should continue lobbying French MEP’s and MP’s” Joshua, with something to smile about now [:D]

Sorry Betty, It came across all wrong, now that I read it again. Thats the problem with responding to one person ( should have emailed Owen ) I wouldn't do anything to spoil anyone's dream. If I thought for one minute it might I would stop. Its not about proving I'm right. I'll go and boil my head Joshua[:(]

Hi Owen, You assume too much. I knew about the connection with STIB I’m trying, carefully I hope, to drill down to the logic of the relationship. I’m hoping that the criterion was “that it gives the person ample time to contribute and then join the Health Care for the new country of residence” which is now not the case. Any help with this quest will be appreciated. I’m certainly not trying to spoil it for the few that will consider coming here in the future, unless they are very wealthy, 63 years old or perhaps foolhardy Regards Joshua[:D]

I can’t imagine I’m the first person in the world to question the validity of limiting the entitlement of the E106 to 2.5 years If the UK withdraw E106 Entitlement they certainly will not do it retrospectfully and if they introduce a deadline to stop it, the Expat Insurers will benefit by snaring their prey earlier. So it’s win, win for them I’m still bumping into Expats who are blissfully ignorant about the changes and it’s not nice, for example, to explain to someone last night over dinner, that they may have major problems after Christmas. This gent’s is just getting over cancer treatment. The only health insurance I’ve found so far, is akin to car insurance if you promise never to take the car out on the road. Maybe the potentially damaging affect may be to the Expat private insurance companies who are set to make a good slice of business from this mess if a solution is not found. Owen, I spoke to a colleague from another Expat Insurance Company late in September ( he thought I was a personnel friend calling ) and he went on to tell me that they ( business partners ) had been out celebrating the “good news” Don’t ask me to have faith in anyone, particularly insurance companies, not with a couple of months to go. Hope I havn't offended anyone Joshua[:)]    

Had a reply from DWP regarding E106 Entitlement Expected , chapter and verse. No answer to why only 2.5 years entitlement. EC Regulation 1408/71 Article 19.1 (a) but thats says nothing about 2.5 years Been reminded that I can't distribute the contents of the email ! I've emailed back asking again. Teletext, I am told by folks in the UK, have run the story today. No doubt we are still getting "FREE" health cover. Joshua[:)]

Brilliant, you’ve really got people’s attention on this issue I just wish they wouldn’t keep saying it’s FREE I've not been here that long but we’ve never had anything free. Subsidised, even heavy subsidised but not free Joshua[:)]

My concern is that friends here, who settled in Spain and got hit with the land grab and they have a file full of letters ( including Tony Blair ) that promised they would help. My Plan B might suck, and I have no illusions it might not work but what the hell its only time and it keeps me off the streets For what its worth, I think the work that's been done by everyone concerned raising awareness will get a result. I've seen unity, strength and courage in this forum.  I'm proud to be British, lucky enough to live in France Joshua[:D]  

Update : E106 Entitlement Following Puzzled and Makfai's advice I emailed TVP International Enquires .......... Dispite two emails from me, and one from another address and a snail mail letter Emails , pinged back to confirm reciept and an auto message saying they would get back to me within ten days, I've heard nothing. I've also asked, in the same emails have they currently, or at any time in the past, extended the entitlement. I'm hoping this, if they've done it, might help those people with immediate needs. I know this is a long shot but I'm hoping the justification for 2 to 2.5 years was to enable Expats to settle and sign up to the choosen country's health service. I'll give it another week  and then take it up with the DWP Ombudsman Joshua[:D]

Hi, I've come across references to the "Newcastle Letter Route" with reference to what happened in Spain. What's this and can it help us ? Joshua[:D]

BBC Newsnight and Radio Five Live are doing a programme regarding Immigration on Thursday Night They are asking for emails on the subject. I've made the point about immigration being tempered by emigration. France, was until now, popular with the Brit's for retirement ! Joshua[:D]

I've written and emailed about 40 MP's and MEP's and David Cameron was the only one to email back. The letters may follow, what with addresses  being c/o the Houses of  P.............. etc I've put my case forward at the Conservative Website you suggested. Coops Anyway some progress ! Joshua[:D]

I'm no expert but, My understanding of the 60 hour rule is, If you work for an employer for at least 60 hours in a calender month, its classed as part time working. So its not challenged I would imagine the hours would have to spread across the month. ( That's only my opinion ) Your Employer will obtain a Social Security Number for you and this is passed to the CPAM to change your status from inactive What I can't find out is if you stop working later on does your status revert to inactive. Do you sign on, as unemployed My understanding of "Inactive" is not working and not "actively" looking for work Working seems the route we'll be taking. My insurance premium came back ( including pre-existing illnesses) at 9800 euro's per annum Best of luck, please let me know how you get on, by email. Joshua[:)]

I've received am email from Rt Hon David Cameron MP this morning He had done a speech on immigration and refered to net immigration. I explained our position and added that if nothing is done there will several thousand more coming back to the UK, and fewer coming here ! He can't say he doesn't know of our plight. I asked him to sign the petition. Joshua[:D]

Any views on the following, If the cycle of inactivity is broken with a short spell of employment and then later renewed what happens to your eligibility with CPAM I'm happy to look for work but worried if I can't work until 65. Seasonal work seems a possibility where we live. What if I take a summer job ? BTW :  Just returned from CPAM Office and my second year E106 was accepted without a comment. OH included as dependant, also OK Joshua[:D]