Benefit claimants are being warned about holiday travel rules and the risk of facing fines or having their payments reduced.
Some people may be thinking of putting their cost of living payments towards a budget break this summer but they should let the Department for Work and Pensions know they are going away. Officials say they need to be informed of any changes in circumstances and expect people to stick to the rules and conditions of their benefit claim.
In the case of Universal Credit, there are 5.8 million claimants according to the latest figures, with 2.2 million of those in employment and getting the benefit to top up their income, and the others either looking for a job or too sick to work. Anyone who is in an intensive work search group is expected to spend 35 to 37 hours a week looking for work, even if they go on holiday this summer. The DWP holiday rules are explained below.
