20 years long residence

[dpl032]

I am applying for 20 years long residence leave to remain application in the next couple of days. Although illegal, I was working, as well as paying taxes and making national insurance contribution till this point to support myself. But I have just been advise not to continue doing that and I really don't know I will be able to survive without working. I been told the decision on the application might take about a year or just over to come through. Is there any benefits or government grants one is entitled while this is going on.

Any advice on this matter would be highly appreciated.

[secret.simon]

Is there any benefits or government grants one is entitled while this is going on.

Self-evidently, no. There are no, nor ought there to be, benefits for an illegal migrant.

If you are working, you are working illegally. But given that you have managed to get away with it this far, I can't imagine working a few months longer could do any harm (not absolutely sure on the legal implications. Wait for further advice)

Be aware that even if you were successful in your 20 year long residence ILR application, British citizenship is at least 10 years away from the day on which your status is regularised/made legal, either by grant of ILR or by grant of DLR (discretionary leave to remain). And working while illegal will certainly flag up in the citizenship applications.