What happens if you go abroad and there's an accident and your on benefits?

blackstar

Hi all,

Just out if interest what happens if you are abroad on holiday and you get benefits ie Tax Credits, UC, ESA SG, DLA and there's an accident or a sickness and you can not travel home for longer than 1 month? There's regulations that if someone dies UC give you an extra month but what if theres an accident or illness? 
Would you have to start a benefits claim all over again or would they give you discretion? Or is it a case by case basis? Etc? 

williewonder

Can't you travel for up to 13 weeks if on UC or ESA, PIP if its for medical reasons. Would getting sick count as medical treatment. This is also an interesting question for me as I go to Sri Lanka 26 days a year.

Also I would hope that if my plane is delayed and I'm just over 28 days abroad they'll just reduces some of my benefits in a overpayment instead me going thought the whole process again?

Jyana

Your benefit would stop, and in some situations they have been known to want overpayments back if you have overstayed abroad too I believe. It doesn't matter if you get a doctor's letter while abroad, your flight is cancelled, or even if you are quarantined under COVID regulations as some found out a couple of years ago. Unless you get permission before leaving the UK, you cannot overstay abroad. 

Source

poppy12345

williewonder said:

Can't you travel for up to 13 weeks if on UC or ESA, PIP if its for medical reasons. Would getting sick count as medical treatment. This is also an interesting question for me as I go to Sri Lanka 26 days a year.

That wouldn't apply in this case because they became ill whilst being abroad.

williewonder said:

Also I would hope that if my plane is delayed and I'm just over 28 days abroad they'll just reduces some of my benefits in a overpayment instead me going thought the whole process again?

If all your ESA is Income Related it would stop and you won't be able to reclaim when you return home. You would need to claim UC instead.

For PIP you can travel for up to 13 weeks, 26 weeks if going for medical treatment. https://www.gov.uk/claim-benefits-abroad

williewonder

I live in supported housing so can’t claim UC.

poppy12345

williewonder said:

I live in supported housing so can’t claim UC.

Yes you can. What you can't do is claim for help with your rent through UC, it will continue through housing benefit.

williewonder

So if you can still claim PIP for 13 weeks while abroad, how long can you claim housing benefit for?

poppy12345

williewonder said:

So if you can still claim PIP for 13 weeks while abroad, how long can you claim housing benefit for?

If you go abroad

In most cases, you can only get housing benefit for up to 4 weeks if you go abroad. In certain situations you can get housing benefit for longer.

Longer absences abroad

You can get housing benefit for up to 26 weeks whilst abroad if you're:

• getting medical treatment

• away from home because of a fear of violence

In all cases, your absence from home must be unlikely to be longer then the rules allow. If you don't expect to return home within the time limit you won't be entitled to housing benefit whilst away.

https://england.shelter.org.uk/housing_advice/benefits/housing_benefit_when_away_from_home

Muttleythefrog

williewonder said:

So if you can still claim PIP for 13 weeks while abroad, how long can you claim housing benefit for?

You're worrying too much. If you did become ill abroad then is the time to ask.... I would work with the assumption you and those caring for you will ensure this doesn't happen since it isn't something you can't prevent in advance unless you abandon all plans for trips abroad... and I know how important those are to you... so fear not. My advice is focus on the positive plans you have for the coming year and think about some things you might enjoy doing.

murphyslaw2020

Would both ESA income based, and ESA Contribution Based, both be stopped after 28 days?

Silvertabby

Trying not to go off-topic but, I think, relevant..........OP, does your travel insurance include the cost of medical transportation home?