Housing Benefit while on Holiday.

starM

Hi,

My brother is on JSA and will be going abroad from 17th Nov to 27th December. He has written to Housing Benefit advising them of this 3 weeks ago. He has phoned them couple of times previously and everytime advisers been saying it shouldnt been any problem as you can have upto 13 weeks. As it was taking long time, he went and booked the tickets and paid the deposit. He rang HB today and adviser told him Holiday request has been refused, claim has been suspened and his been asked apply in partners name. He had no other notes. The adviser said he has not seen this happening before.

He said he will send an urgent email across for claim to be reinstated.

Any idea why this would have been done. Can they refuse holiday requests? He only booked the tickets because 3 times advisers said it shouldnt be problem as its less than 13 weeks. If he know cancel the tickets he will get back the deposit he paid.

Thanks
MS

fluffymovie

No. We don't do holiday requests. Someone can be temporarily absent for up
To 13 weeks as long as they have an intention to return.

The claim can only be suspended if they believe an overpayment might occur and the idea of getting the partner to apply is ridiculous!

NotSuchASmugMarriedNow

I don't know about housing benefit but i can't imagine he'll qualify for JSA either because you have to be here and available for work in order to claim that.

dmliverpool

fluffymovie wrote: »

No. We don't do holiday requests. Someone can be temporarily absent for up
To 13 weeks as long as they have an intention to return.

The claim can only be suspended if they believe an overpayment might occur and the idea of getting the partner to apply is ridiculous!

Getting the partner to claim is a little silly as I take it they would be already doing this. if not, that they will try ask when the relationship start and go down that road.

having worked abroad this year they may suspect or can't rule out that this extended holiday of over 2 weeks may be so that your brother can work, hence suspension of a potential overpayment.

john539

They may have made a mistake.

Has anything changed with his JSA which has triggered HB suspension.

JSA income based is a Passport benefit, if JSA stops he may need to explain/reclaim on basis he is not getting JSA.

If you have told Jobcentre, they may have told HB that JSA will be stopping on certain date, which has triggered something.

starM

Thanks for replies. He is currently on JSA and will stop his cliam before going abroad. Their has been no such overpayment on HB. When you spoke with the adviser - he just said their is a note on the system stating "claim suspened ask claiment to apply in wifes name".

No further notes on the system and he has not received any letter from them as yet.

real1314

Is his partner staying in the property whilst he is away?

samroo

Surely he can't be going on holiday for this long if out of work and claiming housing benefit

starM

real1314 wrote: »

Is his partner staying in the property whilst he is away?

Yes his partner will be staying in the property. He rang HB today and email and came from the HO stating as partner is still in UK she will have to apply in her name. His partner has limited English and my brother deals with all paperwork. She does not know how it works.

He has already booked the tickets aswel and if he cancel it now, £300 will be none refundable. HB office took 28 days to process and he has rang them many times and on every occasion he was told he can have 13 weeks without a problem. So he went off and booked the tickets.

Any advise please? Are their any Birmingham HB guidance available on which anyone can provide a link?

Thanks
MS

[Deleted User]

i can only suggest that he tele HB again and asks to speak to someone senior explaining that he is being given conflicting advice,and that based on the original advice he has booked the holiday,BUT I can understand why they may be suspicious of him going on a prolonged holiday without his partner over christmas?