How Long Can You Go On Holiday - Disability Benefits?

Magnolian

How long can you go abroad on holiday before higher rate disability benefits get stopped?

Spoonie_Turtle

Magnolian said:

How long can you go abroad on holiday before higher rate disability benefits get stopped?

For PIP it's up to 13 weeks for a holiday, possibly 26 weeks if going abroad for medical treatment
https://www.gov.uk/claim-benefits-abroad/disability-benefits

But the PIP handbook says you need to inform them if you go for more than 4 weeks

"A  temporary  absence  abroad  for  up  to  13  weeks  may  be  allowed,  or  up  to  26  weeks if  the  absence  is  specifically  for  medical  treatment.  The  claimant  should  notify  us  if they  are  planning  to  go  abroad  for  4  weeks  or  more."
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/861844/PIP-handbook.pdf

ESA is 4 weeks, or up to 26 if going for medical treatment

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

https://www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/forum?view=topic&catid=10&id=100378#116524

Magnolian

So you if you did go for longer, then you'd need to make a new claim upon returning?

calcotti

Magnolian said:

So you if you did go for longer, then you'd need to make a new claim upon returning?

For income based ESA it would not be possible to make a new claim, would have to claim Universal Credit instead.

Teahfc

Just also worth noting if you visiting the EU that you can stay a maximum of 90 days in every 180 days if you hold a passport from a third country. (is non EU passport) this time includes your travel days also in the 90 total. 

kaMelo

Teahfc said:

Just also worth noting if you visiting the EU that you can stay a maximum of 90 days in every 180 days if you hold a passport from a third country. (is non EU passport) this time includes your travel days also in the 90 total. 

That's not quite accurate, the 90/180 days rule applies across the Schengen area which also includes the EEA members and Switzerland.  Importantly it does not apply to EU members who are not in Schengen (Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus and Romania) who each apply their own 90/180 days rule independent of each other and the Schengen area.

You could spend ninety days in Bulgaria then move on to Romania for ninety days, etc. After all four countries you could spend another ninety days in a Schengen area member.
Essentially it's possible to move around the EU indefinitely without breaching the 90/180 days rules as long as you plan your journey wisely.

williewonder

Would somebody with documented serious mental health difficulties have any problems with the DWP if they were to travel abroad for 28 days to Italy. The mental health condition is fluctuating and this person would have full support from his care team with risk assessments.