Notification purpose of 12 weeks.

sebastianj

Why do Pensioners need to inform DWP if they will be abroad for more than 12 weeks. Is it illegal if somone does not inform DWP?

The question is puzzling me, is there an answer?

sen

scotsbob

I spend more than 12 weeks each year overseas and have never notified DWP, or indeed any government dept. Nor do I see the need to.

Does this refer to consecutive weeks or weeks in total?

Like yourself, I would be interested to read any replies.

seven-day-weekend

You are not allowed to claim some Benefits such as Pension Credit or Housing/Council tax benefit, if you are abroad for longer than 12 weeks, although State Pension is unaffected.

It refers to, I believe, twelve consecutive weeks in a calendar year.

sebastianj

my wife has just been granted a small pension on the basis of my contribution. I don't have The leaflet that came with this notice but I think it may have suggested twelve consecutive weeks in a calendar year.
Still why should this be, as a lot of pensioners live abroad and I am also planning to do this. So how does this effect one's pension?

sebastian

dzug1

Depends where you live - in some countries your pension would be frozen and not subject to the annual increase

seven-day-weekend

sebastianj wrote: »

my wife has just been granted a small pension on the basis of my contribution. I don't have The leaflet that came with this notice but I think it may have suggested twelve consecutive weeks in a calendar year.
Still why should this be, as a lot of pensioners live abroad and I am also planning to do this. So how does this effect one's pension?

sebastian

It does not affect receiving your State pension,which you can receive anywhere in the world. However as dzug says, in certain non-EU countries you will not get any annual increases. If you are on any sort of means-tested benefit such as Pension Credit to top up your Pension, then these will be affected.

sebastianj

thanks you all very much, i was worried. We don't get any pension credits or benefits and that is why I asked the question. The leaflet did not say any thing about means tested benefits and since it came with the State pension notification, it did not make any sense.
thanks again,
sebastian