Esa and going abroad

michno8

I claim contribution based ESA and after another winter spent mostly in bed due to SAD and fibromyalgia  I was thinking of  trying to go abroad next winter however I believe my benefit would be stopped if I was to exceed 28 days . Would it still be the case if I went abroad for this  medical reason.

peteuk

michno8 said:
 Would it still be the case if I went abroad for this  medical reason.

Might help your SAD but might not effect your fibromyalgia and I’ve never known a doctor endorse a winter break for so long.

If your planning to travel for more than 28 days, where to and at what cost?

Spoonie_Turtle

If you want to go for longer it has to be for specific treatment carried out by a medical professional.

Your other option is to have a few different breaks, each up to 27 days long to be on the safe side (if you go for 28 days and miss your flight back, that's the end of your ESA claim) but returning in between so as to keep your claim.

peteuk said:

michno8 said:
 Would it still be the case if I went abroad for this  medical reason.

Might help your SAD but might not effect your fibromyalgia and I’ve never known a doctor endorse a winter break for so long.

I'm not sure you understand fibromyalgia if you don't know that climate can have a pronounced effect on it.

poppy12345

peteuk said:.

Might help your SAD but might not effect your fibromyalgia and I’ve never known a doctor endorse a winter break for so long.

As a Fibro sufferer myself i can tell you that warmer weather is much better than colder weather!

Grumpelstiltskin

Don't forget travel insurance, many restrict you to 28 / 30 days, unless you pay something very expensive.

Teahfc

Not sure where you had in mind for winter but unless you are in South of Spain the winter nights are very cold as the properties have no insulation. Also the prices of most things have gone like the U.K. through the roof. 

Also if you are thinking over 31 days check your house insurances allow you to be empty for longer than that period. 

williewonder

You wouldn't be able to go for more than 28 days. 

HillStreetBlues

A bit more info on the 28 days.
If you spend any part of the day in the UK then it counts as you being present.
For example if you had a 28 day holiday from Feb 1st to 1st Mar  2023  DWP would class that as 27 days, unless the flight home landed after midnight

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/661494/admc4.pdf

peteuk

Spoonie_Turtle said:.

peteuk said:

michno8 said:
 Would it still be the case if I went abroad for this  medical reason.

Might help your SAD but might not effect your fibromyalgia and I’ve never known a doctor endorse a winter break for so long.

I'm not sure you understand fibromyalgia if you don't know that climate can have a pronounced effect on it.

As a nurse I am fully aware of the effects of weather on Fibro, however just going somewhere hotter will not automatically resolve all the symptoms, hence the use of the word might.  As it can equally increase the symptoms.

If the OP travels overseas, looses their benefits and ends up still having problems then it may turn out to be difficult to return.  Insurance (as noted above) usually limits length of stay overseas and then period in the UK or overall time overseas.

Depending on where they go, how long they stay for, travelling back and forth (as suggested)every 27 days to maintain benefits will equally take its toll. Especially given the weather in the UK and fragility of airports if it snows.

But its a balance between gains v loses.  If rent/mortgage is being paid then it still needs to be paid.  House in the UK still needs some heating over the colder months even if it is on a frost thermometer.  Any medication needs obtaining (some gps wont give more than one month at a time). 

Spoonie_Turtle

peteuk said:

Spoonie_Turtle said:.

peteuk said:

michno8 said:
 Would it still be the case if I went abroad for this  medical reason.

Might help your SAD but might not effect your fibromyalgia and I’ve never known a doctor endorse a winter break for so long.

I'm not sure you understand fibromyalgia if you don't know that climate can have a pronounced effect on it.

As a nurse I am fully aware of the effects of weather on Fibro, however just going somewhere hotter will not automatically resolve all the symptoms, hence the use of the word might.  As it can equally increase the symptoms.

Nobody suggested it would!  Just if warmth does help someone's symptoms then being abroad during winter will be more pleasant and bearable than being in the cold damp UK.  And given the OP is themselves wanting to do this it's a fair assumption that they are one of the people whose symptoms are at the very least not exacerbated by warmth, and quite possibly allieviated somewhat whilst in the warmer climate.

Just to clarify I wasn't necessarily suggesting anyone *should* come and go all winter long, just that that's the closest one could get to an extended holiday under the rules.  Whether that's feasible, affordable, sensible, is another matter entirely.  As you say any such decision would need to be a balance between the pros and cons, but the question was about benefit eligibility.  Now they know their options, they can make an informed decision.