Holiday abroad on ESA & PIP

Poppie68

Futura_Bold wrote: »

Does anyone know if you're able to go on holiday while claiming ESA and PIP?

I've researched and posted on another forum yet I'm getting mixed responses.

I'd only be going away for 4 days but, unless I absolutely have to, I don't really want to inform the DWP and draw attention to my case.

How would they know anyway? Is it something to do with using your passport?

Thanks

I was told I needed to inform the DWP by a busy body when going on a two week holiday abroad.....I called and was told no there was no need to inform them unless I was going out of the country for more than 28 days...

bspm

HB58 wrote: »

Of course it would be ridiculous - I'm just relaying what the letter said. I don't have my original award letter, I don't think, so I can't repeat it word for word.

Well I do have my letter as it was only sent to me just over two weeks ago, when was your ESA award given roughly?

[Deleted User]

TELLIT01 wrote: »

On ESA you can go abroad for up to 28 days without it affecting your benefit.

yes you can BUT you have to notify them before you go,for esa they send you a 15 page form to complete and they will try and stop your esa and start payment again when you notify them you are back BUT you should insist that they are not allowed to do this
for PIP I'm not sure but i suspect the same applies

[Deleted User]

NYM wrote: »

I think it's from this link; Page 5
https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/340678/wp-pg-chapter-5.pdf

this link is guidance for work programme providers not the DWP

Murphybear

My ESA award letter doesn't say anything about notifying them either.

On a fun note, I had a letter from the DWP yesterday. I had a query so decided to phone them. Expecting a long wait I settled down in my favourite armchair, cup of tea by my side and cat on lap. After pressing various buttons their phone rang and was answered in 2 seconds! Is this a record:T

bspm

woodbine wrote: »

yes you can BUT you have to notify them before you go,for esa they send you a 15 page form to complete and they will try and stop your esa and start payment again when you notify them you are back BUT you should insist that they are not allowed to do this
for PIP I'm not sure but i suspect the same applies

All I know is, like other people have said, my award letter does not say I have to make contact if I leave the country/ go on holiday, there is nothing in the award letter that mentions contacting other than for changed circumstances, I took that to mean a change of my medical condition and not a change of where I might be.

Obviously looking on the internet and reading forums like this your judgement can be clouded by what other people may say. As far as I am concerned I do not have to contact the DWP regarding leaving the country for less than 28 days.

However....because of the...he said...she said...do this...don't do that...advice I am going to call the DWP on Monday and will report back.

Murphybear

For anyone on ESA WRAG it would be sensible to let them know you are going abroad as they may send you one of those letters for a work focused appointment. They are supposed to give a week's notice but I got letters where the notice varied from the same day(before the post arrived) to one or two days. I kept phoning them to complain and they were very apologetic but it didn't stop them doing it!

No-one wants to risk a sanction for not turning up to these appointments

Futura_Bold

I'm on ESA SG but, again, not sure if that makes a difference when it comes to informing the DWP.

As a previous poster said, it does seem annoying for all concerned to inform them if you're going away for at least 24 hours. I visited family for a couple of days at Christmas and didn't think anything of it. Yet, going abroad and using a passport does have me worried.

I've checked my letters regarding ESA and holidays and can't see anything. However there is a pamphlet (ESA40) that includes the section 'changes you must tell us about', and one of them is 'go abroad or are about to go abroad'.

So, what's the definitive answer? Or are we all told different?

sheramber

Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)

https://www.gov.uk/claim-benefits-abroad/illness-injury-and-disability-benefits


There are 2 types of ESA - income-related or contribution-based.

You can get both of these for 4 weeks if you go abroad.

Talk to your local Jobcentre Plus before you go.

[Deleted User]

Futura_Bold wrote: »

I'm on ESA SG but, again, not sure if that makes a difference when it comes to informing the DWP.

As a previous poster said, it does seem annoying for all concerned to inform them if you're going away for at least 24 hours. I visited family for a couple of days at Christmas and didn't think anything of it. Yet, going abroad and using a passport does have me worried.

I've checked my letters regarding ESA and holidays and can't see anything. However there is a pamphlet (ESA40) that includes the section 'changes you must tell us about', and one of them is 'go abroad or are about to go abroad'.

So, what's the definitive answer? Or are we all told different?

its possible to get conflicting advice from the dwp as under IB you didn't have to tell them unless it was for more than 28 days under esa you do have to tell them BEFORE you go,as i said ^ you have to do this before you go and you also have to provide evidence of when you will be coming back e.g a plane ticket or tele them when you get back
they may try and suspend your esa if you are due any payments while out of the country THEY ARE NOT ALLOWED TO DO THIS
as for esa awards not telling you to do this like most things its covered by change of circumstances(i.e you won't be in the uk)