Universal credit traveling abroad confusion: Is the allowed duration 4 weeks or one month?

panda999

I am on Universal Credit LCWRA due to a life-changing stroke . Additionally, I receive PIP at the enhanced rate for both living and mobility.

I'm facing confusion regarding traveling abroad as different websites cite conflicting information. Some state a limit of 4 weeks, while others mention a duration of one month.

Suppose I have a flight departing from the UK on December 6th and returning on January 4th. Would this be considered as 28 days or 30 days?

Could someone kindly clarify the most recent rules governing travel abroad?  Is it 4 weeks rule or one month? 

Your assistance would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

Newcad

It depends on which benefit(s) you are getting.

UC is calculated monthly and the period where you can be abroad is one month.
https://www.gov.uk/claim-benefits-abroad/universal-credit

Legacy benefits, such as Income Related ESA, are calculated weekly and so the period is 4 weeks.

For PIP it's 13 weeks. (It's longer because PIP is not Income Related).

All of those periods can be extended if you are travelling abroad specifically to recieve medical treatment.

The day that you travel out, and the day that you return, are counted as being in the UK for the whole of both days.
eg In your above example you would counted as being out of the UK between 7th Dec and 3rd Jan.

Muttleythefrog

Yes you often get differing answers and calling Universal Credit themselves is a sure fire way to get the full range.

But as above...for U/C it's a month (can be extended in some circumstances) with the days of travel out and in not counted.

So a trip of December 6th and returning on January 4th
The time considered begins on December 7th and therefore if you return on or before 7th January that's fine.

That's my understanding... based on guidance and a very recent Decision Maker ruling on our claim!

Unfortunately due to poor information from Universal Credit previously my wife spent 4 less days than she could have with her mother just 3 months before her death.

panda999

Thank you for providing such a detailed answer.

I'm not familiar with legacy benefits, so I believe I don't receive any of them.

Regarding my situation, I receive a single Universal Credit payment per month, encompassing various entitlements such as Standard Allowance, Housing, Children, and LCWRA.

If I understood correctly, the rule is based on a one-month duration, and I believe I am complying with these rules. Is my understanding accurate?"

panda999

Muttleythefrog said:

Yes you often get differing answers and calling Universal Credit themselves is a sure fire way to get the full range.

But as above...for U/C it's a month (can be extended in some circumstances) with the days of travel out and in not counted.

So a trip of December 6th and returning on January 4th
The time considered begins on December 7th and therefore if you return on or before 7th January that's fine.

That's my understanding... based on guidance and a very recent Decision Maker ruling on our claim!

Unfortunately due to poor information from Universal Credit previously my wife spent 4 less days than she could have with her mother just 3 months before her death.

Thank you for sharing your insights and experience.

It's quite unfortunate that the misinformation led to your wife spending fewer days with her mother before her passing. My deepest condolences for your loss.

May your wife's mother rest in peace. Wishing your family strength during this challenging time