Family holiday / ESA & ADP

yozy

For example, when your benefits review comes up in a year or two, they may ask "have you been anywhere nice lately?" (I've been asked that exact phrase). And if you have been abroad, and did not report it, it can be a problem. 

I always inform the agencies before I go abroad. 

They asked you that because they knew you had been? They knew because you told them? They mentioned your trip to you? Like, where you went?

britoonz

Thanks everyone.  its all really confusing, the citizens advise answer seems pretty more relaxed. Im in a Support Group for 10 years. Can i be stopped to travel? Im staying with family..

HillStreetBlues

britoonz said:

Thanks everyone.  its all really confusing, the citizens advise answer seems pretty more relaxed. Im in a Support Group for 10 years. Can i be stopped to travel? Im staying with family..

No, as long as it's 28 days or less. And they can't stop you, just stop ESA after 28 days (unless you had an allowable reason for not returning sooner).

britoonz

Apologies but i thought i had  to report going away for any length of time at all? I am reading lots of differed answers online. 

britoonz

The bottom line is am i 'allowed' to travel or am i putting my ESA at  risk and might looses it?

britoonz

Charles_Foxtrot said:

The guidance / rules from the government for this are very clear:

Regarding ADP in Scotland (from mygov.scot): 

You may be prosecuted for benefit fraud if you do not tell the office that pays your benefit you’re going abroad, even if it’s just for a visit

Regarding ESA from Gov.uk: 

You can get ESA for up to 4 weeks if you go abroad. Talk to your local Jobcentre Plus before you go.

Some on this forum will say that you don't need to report anything. This is counter to what the official government website says. There is nothing wrong with going abroad, but best to be safe and inform them you are going in order to avoid any potential problems later on. 

For example, when your benefits review comes up in a year or two, they may ask "have you been anywhere nice lately?" (I've been asked that exact phrase). And if you have been abroad, and did not report it, it can be a problem. 

I always inform the agencies before I go abroad. 

Has it been ok when you report it though? i have nothing to hide but i don't want risk anything. 

britoonz

HillStreetBlues said:

britoonz said:

Thanks everyone.  its all really confusing, the citizens advise answer seems pretty more relaxed. Im in a Support Group for 10 years. Can i be stopped to travel? Im staying with family..

No, as long as it's 28 days or less. And they can't stop you, just stop ESA after 28 days (unless you had an allowable reason for not returning sooner).

it would be 7 days. 

HillStreetBlues

Sorry  didn't make it clear I was just talking about ESA, I don't know about ADP

(ESA only) I agree there are site say "your must tell the job centre"  or "you are committing benefit fraud do not tell the office that pays your benefit you’re going abroad, even if it’s just for a visit"
But none of them say why you would be committing fraud, as the reg state you can be away for 28 days or less.
Fraud is deliberately  claiming a benefit you aren't entitled too, but a person is entitled to be away for 28 days or less, so there can not be any fraud.

Spoonie_Turtle

SADP guide states:

55 Where an award has been made, a ADP claim should continue to be paid for the first:
 13 consecutive weeks of any absence for any reason24
 26 consecutive weeks of any absence caused by travelling abroad to receive medical treatment25 . 
https://www.socialsecurity.gov.scot/asset-storage/production/downloads/ADP-DMG-Residence-and-Presence.pdf

So, same as PIP.

poppy12345

britoonz said:

Apologies but i thought i had  to report going away for any length of time at all? I am reading lots of differed answers online. 

I already advised you that you do not need to tell them.