With the warmer weather arriving and the six-week summer holidays fast approaching, many families are beginning to organise days out and plan trips abroad. However, those claiming Universal Credit will want to be aware of the rules before heading abroad, as claimants need to notify the Department for Work and Pensions if travelling overseas.
Claimants can continue to claim their benefits if they are away from the UK for up to one month at a time, but during this time they need to stick to the requirments of their claimant commitment. This means some may need to look for work whilst abroad.
Those part of intensive work groups should be spending 35 to 37 hours a week looking for work, and this does not change just because you go on holiday. Claimants will need to be able to show evidence of the jobs they have looked at and applied for whilst they've been away reports Derbyshire Live.
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The DWP has said: "Claimants must be prepared to end their absence abroad to attend job interviews or start work. We have never asked anyone to come back early but it is a possibility."
The department explained that in some cases, you may be able to keep claiming Universal Credit for longer than one month when you're abroad, such as if a close relative has died. The extension period can be applied when there is medical treatment, bereavement, the claimant is a mariner or continental shelf worker, crown servant or those serving in HM Armed Forces.
Claimants of Universal Credit need to notify the DWP that you intent to go abroad and the reason why you are gong before booking a holiday or flight. If you don't do this, or you are abroad for longer than a month, then your Universal Credit assessment period could be reduced to nil.
This means the next payment will not be paid on the due date, but it will also not be terminated completely. You would not get a payment for the period you've been away, but you also won't have to start your claim again and wait another five weeks for your benefit payment.
If a claimant is receiving medical treatment or is accompanying their partner, child or qualifying young person who is receiving such treatment, the DWP can consider agreeing to an extended absence for up to six months. If the claimant can provide evidence of this, their work-related requirements can be switched off while they are abroad.
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