Brits receiving Personal Independence Payments (PIP) could lose out on their benefits if they go on holiday for too long, while those claiming Universal Credit need to keep meeting conditions for their claims even when abroad.
A warning has been issued for people receiving the benefit about how they should go on holiday to avoid missing out.
Changes in circumstances must be related to the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) by those on PIP, reports the Daily Record.
If they don't update the government department, then benefit claimants could find that their regular payments are disrupted.
If you change your name, doctor, health professional or address you do not need to doing so, as these actions will have no impact on your payments or awards.
However, leaving the country for certain periods can have an affect on these and needs to be reported.
If you leave the country – or plan to leave for more than four weeks – this could stop your entitlement.
This applies even if you are going on an extended holiday, not just if you are actually moving out of the country.
The DWP guidance states: “This change may affect the claimant’s entitlement to PIP.
“We will need to know the date the claimant is leaving the country, how long they are planning to be out of the country, which country they are going to and why they are going abroad.”
If you do plan to travel for four weeks or more this year make sure you speak to the DWP ahead of time to ensure your benefits aren’t disrupted.
The DWP needs to know the date you are leaving leaving the country, how long you are planning to be out of the country for, which country you are going to and why you are going abroad.
If you are a Universal Credit claimant, you must stick to the conditions of the claimant commitment you agreed to when first applying.
That will probably include having to show evidence of looking for work - such as a list of jobs you have applied for.
The DWP says claimants must carry on meeting the conditions of their claim while on holiday, including any requirement to look for work.
That includes putting a CV together, applying to vacancies and attending any interviews that crop up - and this has to continue while you are on holiday.
"Claimants must be prepared to end their absence abroad to attend job interviews or start work", the DWP told Birmingham Live.
"We have never asked anyone to come back early but it is a possibility."
To contact the DWP about a change in circumstances you should call the Personal Independence Payment enquiry line at 0800 121 4433.
You can find out more information on the gov.uk website.
