Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment (PIP) recipients are being warned that not telling the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) about any overseas jaunts could seriously jeopardise their benefits. Claimants are obliged to provide details on “any past, present or future visits” to overseas places.
Benefit claimants have got to give the DWP the heads up on any trips outside the UK, with the rules now setting out that you have to share details of “any past, present or future visits” to other countries. Those pocketing benefits can nip off abroad for up to a month, but they’ve got to be in the UK for at least one month between such getaways.
In some cases you may be able to have another month away, such as if a close relative dies overseas and you can’t get back sooner. For people getting medical treatment or recovering from being poorly, a six-month stint overseas is permissible.
But if you don’t comply with these rules, you could find your Universal Credit dosh slashed to nothing for the next assessment period. The DWP’s advice sets out: “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.
“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.” People on PIP, Attendance Allowance, or Disability Living Allowance will also need to inform the DWP if they plan to be away for four weeks or more.
However, under normal circumstances, these benefits can still be claimed for up to 13 weeks while overseas. This period can also be extended to 26 weeks if you are travelling abroad for medical treatments.
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The standard allowance for Universal Credit is currently:.
- Single under 25: £311.68 (up from £292.11 per month).
- Single 25 or over: £393.45 (up from £368.74 per month).
- Joint claimants both under 25: £489.23 (up from £458.51 per month).
- Joint claimants, one or both 25 or over: £617.60 (up from £578.82 per month).