Esa

Nancyjesse

Hi, how would ESA people know that I'm not in the country?

TELLIT01

They wouldn't necessarily know immediately, but that doesn't mean they couldn't find out later. Every time you leave or return to the UK your passport is scanned so you do leave a trail. Whether they know or not, if you are out for more than a month (with a few exceptions) and don't inform them, you are committing benefit fraud.

Nancyjesse

I wasn't aware of all this and I'm visiting the US for 2 months as I'm dealing with family issues but I wasn't aware of this stuff

TELLIT01

If you are in the US now you need to let DWP know as soon as you get back. There will potentially be an overpayment but it's better to get it sorted voluntarily than to be found out later.

Nancyjesse

what is an overpayment

poppy12345

Nancyjesse wrote: »

what is an overpayment

It's when you've been paid too much and have to pay money back for what you shouldn't have claimed.

poppy12345

You can be paid ESA for up to 4 weeks when going abroad. Anything longer than this unless it's for medical treatment for yourself then you shouldn't have been claiming ESA after the 4 weeks have ended. As you should have report this change of circumstances to DWP you'll potentially have an overpayment for the time that exceeds 4 weeks. Are you still visiting family in another country? and have you rang ESA to report this?
https://www.gov.uk/claim-benefits-abroad/illness-injury-benefits