Income support and holidays.

craggy_2

For somebody claiming Income support,does the person have to let the dwp know if there going away on holiday in the uk for around 14 days?Are they able to go without any money taken off?Cant seem to found any info out about this.

Thanks in advance.

zappster1966

Well provided you're not absent from GB and still have a condition of entitlement (lone parent, sick etc) then it shouldn't be a problem. You could always drop them a line to let them know where you'll be.

But by the time they reply you'll already be back home

craggy_2

Thanks yeh just eases my mind.

astonsmummy

I dont see why it would be a problem, your still alive and breathing therefore needing food and your bills will still need to be payed wether your there or not, i've never known anyone to tell dss if they are going on holiday, so yo'll be fine.

craggy_2

Well i can understand telling them if i was going abroad but just could'nt find any info on this - Thanks

ukdickie31

Hi

I can't find anything about Holidays in UK, but here is some guidance about Holidays abroad (Note - this is Income Support guidance only)

People who are going abroad temporarily.
The purpose of Income Support payments is to meet needs in Great Britain. However, some people who get Income Support can continue to get it:

• for the first 4 weeks of a temporary absence abroad
• or for 8 weeks if going abroad for a dependant’s medical
treatment
• or when undergoing HS funded medical treatment abroad
for the duration of the treatment.

To qualify for Income Support during the first 4 weeks of absence
you must continue to satisfy the usual conditions of entitlement
and the absence must be unlikely to exceed 52 weeks. In addition
you must:

• continue to fall within one or more of the categories entitled
to Income Support. People who are in education, or from
abroad or affected by a trade dispute or appealing against a
decision that they are capable of work or who are incapable
of work other than in the circumstances described below, are
excluded from this; or

Who can get Income Support?

24
• be incapable of work and the sole purpose of your absence is
to receive medical treatment for that incapacity; or
• have a partner who is going abroad with you and for whom
you get one of the three pensioner premiums or a disability
premium; or
• on the day the absence began, have been incapable of work
for 365 days (or 196 days in case of a terminal illness).
If you get the Income Support for the first 4 weeks of your
absence but are away for longer, your partner, if you have one,
may be able to claim, but will not be entitled if you are in
remunerative work. Payment of any expenses you incur outside the
UK will not be covered by Income Support.

To qualify for Income Support during the first 8 weeks of absence,
the absence should also be for less than 52 weeks and the normal
conditions of entitlement must be satisfied. Also you, or you and a
member of your family must be accompanying a dependant solely
for that dependant’s medical treatment abroad by an appropriately
qualified person. In certain circumstances you may qualify for
Income Support when undergoing NHS funded medical treatment
abroad. For more information contact your local office.

Any payment of Income Support will not be sent abroad. If your
payments are made directly into an account they can continue to
be paid as long as your entitlement continues whilst you are
abroad. If you are paid by cheque, payments will usually be made
upon your return to the UK.

The actual internet link is here

http://www.dsdni.gov.uk/is20all.pdf

kelloggs36

No, you don't! You only need to tell them if you go abroad. Enjoy your holiday!

craggy_2

Ah well if its 4 weks abroad then a fortnight in the uk should be a breeze(Literally,with forecast predicted!) - Thanks for your help.

EthelBloggs

they told me at an interview that you do have to notify them if you're going to be away from home in case they write to you about somethng, if you don't respond in time they might stop your benefits.

Tigger36

I used to work in a Jobcentre (unfortunately!). If you go on holiday abroad they will stop your money. If you're travelling within the UK then you don't need to tell them but as a previous poster stated, if they need to contact you and you don't respond, they will automatically stop all benefits - Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit included. If you have to sign on each fortnight, this could be another problem. I would tell them - it's allowed and at least they have notification that you're away from home.

ukdickie31

Tigger - those are JSA rules. This is Income Support.