As warm weather graces the UK (disregarding the sporadic showers of course), the appeal of a foreign vacation continues to intensify.
Yet individuals receiving benefits such as Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment (PIP) should proceed with caution if planning a summer adventure. It’s crucial for beneficiaries to update the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) about any significant changes in their lives.
Surprisingly, travelling abroad is considered as such a change. Benefit regulations allow for a vacation period of up to a month, though claimants must adhere to the terms set at the time they first applied for assistance.
The Government’s stance is clear: “Beneficiaries need to report changes to their personal circumstances in order to continue receiving the correct amount each month. Changes should be reported promptly to avoid overpayment and subsequent repayment.”
“Changes in your circumstances can affect your payment amount for your entire assessment period – not just from the date you report them”, as noted by the Manchester Evening News.
For new Universal Credit applicants, being in the UK on the day of application is mandatory. Nonetheless, travelling abroad later that day or returning from a trip on the same day is generally acceptable.
Accepting Universal Credit conditions means agreeing to responsibilities like job searching, which might necessitate curtailing a trip for a job interview or to start a new job.
The DWP in Glasgow has released a stern reminder to Universal Credit recipients that they must report any life changes such as having a baby, moving in with a partner or to a new address, quitting a job, inability to work due to sickness, missing a meeting with their work coach, or any changes to their banking or contact details.
In such circumstances, claimants are urged to contact the Universal Credit helpline at 0800 328 5644.
Vacation rules for PIP claimants
Regarding travel and holiday rules for those receiving Personal Independence Payment (PIP), the Government’s PIP guide insists that recipients must inform the DWP of any change in circumstances. This includes personal detail updates, changes in support needs or health conditions, worsening health with less than 12 months life expectancy, hospital or care home admissions, overseas trips, imprisonment, and for non-British citizens, any changes in immigration status.
According to the PIP guide: “We need to know the date the recipient is leaving the country, the duration of their trip, their destination and their reason for going abroad.”
(Image: Getty)
Additionally, the Glasgow DWP emphasizes the importance for PIP beneficiaries to provide notice about any travel plans that could impact their benefits. The DWP’s advice reinforces: “We need to know if a recipient’s condition, the support they need or their circumstances change. This may impact the amount of PIP they are eligible for.”
“Beneficiaries need to inform the DWP promptly about any changes that could affect their benefit. Depending on the changes, their benefit might increase, decrease, remain unchanged or stop completely. If a beneficiary is overpaid, they will typically need to repay that money. Failing to inform the DWP about these changes may lead to prosecution.”
“A temporary absence abroad, up to 13 weeks, may be permitted, or up to 26 weeks if the trip is specifically for medical treatment. The claimant should inform us if they plan to go abroad for four weeks or more.”
In addition, the DWP warns: “Delivering incorrect information or failing to report changes could result in legal action or a penalty.”
Last but not least, the DWP states that neglecting to report changes promptly may mean having to repay some of the benefit received. Claimants can disclose any changes by reaching out to the PIP enquiry line via call at 0800 121 4433.
