DWP holiday warning: Anyone claiming benefits including Universal Credit and PIP warned of strict rules to follow or payments stop

A holiday warning has been issued to anyone on benefits ahead of the summer holidays as there are urgent rules to be aware of. If you are claiming benefits it's not as simple as just booking a flight and jetting off due to strict rules.

There are strict rules for holidaying when you claim either a Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) or HMRC benefit. And if you don't follow them, you could potentially jeopardise your benefit payments.

Listed below are all the rules around overseas travel with different benefit payments.

Universal Credit

According to GOV.UK, you can continue to get Universal Credit for one month if you go abroad. However, you need to be eligible for the benefit before you go abroad, remain eligible whilst you're there, and tell your work coach that you are going.

If a close relative dies while you’re abroad and it would not be "reasonable" for you to come back to the UK, you can get Universal Credit for one more month. Whilst you are away, you also need to continue with your "claimant commitment". 

This is what the DWP expects you to do to receive your Universal Credit payments. If you don't you can have your Universal Credit payments cut.

People in an "intensive work search group" are required to spend 35-37 hours a week looking for a job - even while on holiday. This means you will have to show evidence of looking for work - such as a list of jobs you have applied for. In a worst-case scenario, a claimant could be asked to come back home for a job interview or to start work.

Under the rules, you can claim Universal Credit for up to six months if you are going away for medical treatment, if you go abroad for "approved convalescence" by a medical professional, or if your partner or child is going abroad for medical treatment or approved convalescence and you’re going with them. If you don't inform the DWP, or you go abroad for longer than one month and the travel does not fall under the specific circumstances where it can be extended, then your Universal Credit assessment period could be reduced to nil.

Personal Independence Payment (PIP)

If you are claiming PIP and you plan on being abroad for more than four weeks then you will need to notify the DWP. This is because it is classed as a "change of circumstance". 

You can claim PIP for up to 13 or 26 weeks if it’s for medical treatment. This is also the case if you claim Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for adults or Attendance Allowance.

Carer's Allowance

Carer's Allowance is another benefit which can be affected if you go abroad. According to Carers UK, you can continue to be paid Carer's Allowance for a temporary period whilst you are abroad if you meet the following conditions:

• You go abroad with the person you look after

• They continue to receive a qualifying disability benefit - to a maximum of 26 weeks

• The purpose of your trip is to look after them.

In any other circumstances, you can continue to be paid Carer's Allowance for up to four weeks as long as you have not had more than four weeks’ break from caring in the last 26 weeks. This can extend to an eight-week break from caring in the last 26 weeks if the reason for the break was because you or the person you care for were in hospital.

Tax Credits

With Tax Credits, you normally need to be present in the UK to claim, but if you - or your partner - go abroad for up to eight weeks at a time, HMRC will treat you as if you are still in the UK, providing you intend your visit abroad to be temporary. In some instances you can be away for up to 12 weeks if:

• Medical treatment for yourself, your partner or your child

• Death of your partner, a child or a close relative of either you or your partner

Your tax credits will stop if you expect to be away for one year or more. You will need to contact HMRC and tell them of your trip away.