Many Brits will be planning holidays abroad as we head into the summer months - but there are some extra steps that those receiving certain benefits need to be aware of before they travel.
Anyone claiming Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment (PIP) must make sure they keep the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) informed of any chance in their circumstances, which includes going abroad for any reason. Those on Universal Credit must continue to follow their looking for work conditions even when out of the country, BirminghamLive reports.
The Government warns that you are "committing benefit fraud" if you don't tell the office that pays your benefit you're going abroad, even if it's just for a visit. Here's what you need to know about what you need to do if you receive Universal Credit or PIP payments and are planning to travel overseas in the coming months.
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Universal Credit travel rules
Universal Credit claimants can continue to get payments for up to one month if they travel abroad, but they must inform their work coach that they're going. They must also stick to the conditions of the claimant commitment agreed to when first applying, which is likely to include having to show evidence of looking for work.
If someone is in an intensive work search group, this could mean spending 35-37 hours a week looking for a job - even while on holiday. In September 2022, changes to earnings limits meant 114,000 more claimants were moved into the intensive work search group, followed by another 120,000 in January this year.
The Government said: "You need to report changes to your circumstances so you keep getting the right amount each month. You need to report changes as soon as they happen. Any delay may mean you receive too much money and will have to make a repayment.
"Changes in your circumstances can affect how much you're paid for your whole assessment period - not just from the date you report them." You can't apply for Universal Credit if you're already abroad, or are moving abroad permanently.
DWP also needs to know of any other changes in circumstances. These could include having a child, moving in with a partner or to a new address, leaving a job, being too sick to work or meet your work coach, and changing your bank details, phone number or email address. In all cases, call the Universal Credit helpline on 0800 328 5644.
PIP travel rules
Government guidance on PIP says that claimants must contact the enquiry line on 0800 121 4433 if they have a change of circumstances, which includes if they go abroad. The newly updated PIP guide says: "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."
It says leaving the country or planning to do so for a period of more than four weeks - even if this is a holiday - may affect a person's entitlement to PIP. The rules state: "We need to know if the claimant’s condition, the amount of help they need or their circumstances change. This is because it may change how much PIP they can get.
"It is important the claimant tells DWP straight away about any changes in their life that could affect their benefit. Based on these changes their benefit may go up, go down, stay the same or it may stop.
"A temporary absence abroad for up to 13 weeks may be allowed, or up to 26 weeks if the absence is specifically for medical treatment. The claimant should notify us if they are planning to go abroad for four weeks or more."
DWP also warns: "You could be taken to court or have to pay a penalty if you give wrong information or do not report a change in your circumstances." The same 'residence and presence conditions' also apply to Disability Living Allowance (DLA), Attendance Allowance and Carer’s Allowance.
You can claim Attendance Allowance or Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for adults if you're going abroad for up to 13 weeks, or 26 weeks if it's for medical treatment. You can also carry on claiming Carer's Allowance if you take up to four weeks' holiday out of a 26-week period.
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