Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment (PIP) claimants are being reminded of when they need to report a change of circumstances, particularly when travelling abroad. People claiming both benefits have to notify the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) if they are going abroad.
While a holiday can be for up to one month, people are reminded they must stick to the requirements they agreed to when first claiming the benefit, which usually involves showing evidence of looking for work. These are the rules for Universal Credit and PIP, as reported by BirminghamLive.
The Government said: "You need to report changes to your circumstances so you keep getting the right amount each month. You need to report changes as soon as they happen. Any delay may mean you receive too much money and will have to make a repayment.
"Changes in your circumstances can affect how much you're paid for your whole assessment period - not just from the date you report them."
If a new Universal Credit application is made, a claimant must be in the UK on the day it is submitted. People should then be fine to travel later that same day.
The DWP still also needs to be updated on any other changes in circumstances, including having a child, moving in with a partner or other changes in their credentials.
The newly updated PIP guide says: "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."
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It says leaving the country or planning to do so for a period of more than four weeks - even if this is a holiday - may affect a person's entitlement to PIP. The rules state: "We need to know if the claimant’s condition, the amount of help they need or their circumstances change. This is because it may change how much PIP they can get.
"It is important the claimant tells DWP straight away about any changes in their life that could affect their benefit. Based on these changes their benefit may go up, go down, stay the same or it may stop. If the claimant is overpaid, they will normally have to repay the money. Failure to tell DWP about any of these changes may result in prosecution.
"A temporary absence abroad for up to 13 weeks may be allowed, or up to 26 weeks if the absence is specifically for medical treatment. The claimant should notify us if they are planning to go abroad for four weeks or more."
And the DWP warns: "You could be taken to court or have to pay a penalty if you give wrong information or do not report a change in your circumstances." It adds that if you don't report a change straight away you might have to repay some of your benefit. You can let the PIP enquiry line know of any changes in circumstances on 0800 121 4433.
The same "residence and presence conditions" also apply to Disability Living Allowance (DLA), Attendance Allowance and Carer’s Allowance.
