Benefit claimants are being warned about new travel rules which have been described as "discrimination".
More than 2,000 people have signed a petition calling for changes to the guidelines, saying they are being treated less favourably. People claiming state benefits are expected to follow strict rules if they are planning to go abroad.
This includes those on Universal Credit, Employment and Support Allowance, Attendance Allowance, Disability Living Allowance, Personal Independence Payment (PIP), and Carer's Allowance. In the case of Personal Independence Payment - a benefit for people with chronic health conditions and disabilities - the official handbook updated in April this year says claimants must tell the DWP if they are "leaving the country or planning to leave the country for a period of more than four weeks, even if this is a holiday."
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The guidance explains: "This change may affect the claimant’s entitlement to PIP. We will need to know the date the claimant is leaving the country, how long they are planning to be out of the country, which country they are going to, and why they are going abroad."
But claimants say the rules are discriminatory and inconsistent, reports Birmingham Live. They point out that the GOV.UK general guide to PIP simply says people must let DWP staff know if they go abroad, without specifying a timeframe.
A new petition created by Angela Hamilton says the guidance is muddled and should in both cases refer to people only having to let DWP know if they are away overseas for more than four weeks. Ms Hamilton adds that the four-week rule is unfair because those on tax credits only have to tell officials at HMRC if they are away for more than eight weeks.
The petition says: "Disabled people should have the same right to travel abroad for holidays, work, family and other reasons as non-disabled people. Travel like this does not change a person's care or mobility needs.
"Disabled people shouldn't have to inform the DWP of travel abroad lasting under four weeks. People on tax credits only need to notify travel abroad of over 8 weeks. This is less favourable treatment of disabled people and we believe is discriminatory."
If you don't report a change to your circumstances straight away or give incorrect information, the DWP says you may be taken to court or have to pay a penalty. You could also be asked to repay your PIP.
DWP guidance on overpayments says you may have to pay your benefit money back if:
- the information you gave was wrong
- you did not report a change in your circumstances straight away
- you gave the wrong information when you reported a change of circumstances
- a mistake was made with your payment
The new petition asking for travel rules to be amended will close on November 15, 2023. If it accumulates 10,000 signatures the UK Government will respond and if it reaches 100,000 it will be considered for debate in Parliament.
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