DWP rules for going on holiday and how trip abroad may…

DWP rules for going on holiday and how trip abroad may affect benefits

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has issued a warning for families hoping to go abroad this summer.

Before booking a flight or even heading to the airport, benefit claimants must follow some strict rules or risk losing their claim. This is because benefits such as Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payments may be affected if you're not in the country for an extended period of time.

Here's a breakdown of everything you need to know about the DWP's travel rules so you don't risk losing your benefits, Wales Online reports.

How long you can claim Universal Credit if you go on holiday

Official DWP rules state that you can claim your benefit while away from the UK for up to one month. However, you must continue to meet the requirements you agreed to when you first claimed your benefit.

This includes:

be eligible for universal credit when you’re going abroad
remain eligible for it while you’re abroad
tell your work coach that you’re going

For example, those who are in the intensive work group must spend 35 to 37 hours a week looking for work which must be upheld even if you're on holiday. Claimants will need to show evidence of this to their work coach such as a list of jobs they applied for while they were away.

Previous DWP guidance has said claimants "must be prepared to end their absence abroad to attend job interviews or start work" but added: "We have never asked anyone to come back early but it is a possibility."

There are exceptions to the one-month rules. You can continue to claim universal credit for up to six months in the following cases:

Go abroad for medical treatment
Go abroad for a period of recovery that's been approved by a medical professional – this is also known as "approved convalescence"
Your partner or child is going aboard for medical treatment or "approved convalescence" and you are going with them

It's important that yo always inform the DWP that you intend to go abroad and your reasons for going. If you don't fall under the extension rule and are gone for longer than a month, your Universal Credit assessment period could be reduced to nil.

Rules for other benefits

For other benefits, there are slight varieties in the rules. In the case of disability benefits such as DLA, you can claim for up to 13 weeks or 26 weeks if its for medical treatment. For carer's allowance, you can take up to four weeks holiday out of a 26 week period but you must tell the office that deals with your benefit that you'll be out of the country.

Read next:

Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.

Already a member? Sign in here