Age NI Urges Home Secretary to Extend EU Settlement Scheme Deadline Older EU nationals at risk of losing right to continue to live in NI Age NI has joined forces with the Commissioner for Older People NI and other organisations across the UK to call on the Home Secretary, Priti Patel, to extend the deadline for the EU Settlement Scheme, due to concerns that some older people may lose their rights to continue living in the UK. They say that extending the deadline would enable opportunities for further publicity of the requirement to register for the scheme, more targeted promotion of the support available and increased time for older people to complete their applications Linda Robinson, Chief Executive of Age NI said, We are calling on the Home Secretary to extend the deadline for the EU Settlement Scheme, as we fear many older people, including some in nursing homes, have been unable to register, or may be entirely unaware of their requirement to do so by 30 June 2021. What we do not want to see is any older EU national, who may have lived in Northern Ireland for decades, lose their rights to health and social care, housing or benefits as a result of not registering for settled status within the current deadline. A digital focus on communications, an emphasis on the status of workers rather than retired individuals, and limited social interaction during the pandemic, have combined to limit the opportunities for older people to find out about the scheme, get support if needed and take action. Advice NI and STEP are offering support to EU nationals of all ages, who need information or assistance in applying for the EU Settlement Scheme. Read the letter to the Home Secretary 1: Letter signatories are as follows: Heléna Herklots CBE, Older People’s Commissioner for WalesVictoria Lloyd, Chief Executive, Age CymruBrian Sloan, Chief Executive, Age ScotlandDr Donald Macaskill, Chief Executive, Scottish CareCaroline Abrahams, Charity Director, Age UKDeborah Alsina MBE, Chief Executive, Independent AgeEddie Lynch, Commissioner for Older People in Northern IrelandLinda Robinson, Chief Executive, Age NI