DWP holiday rules warning for Universal Credit benefit claimants planning to go abroad

James Rodger & Sonia Sharma

21 May 2024 at 8:19 am·2-min read

If you claim benefits like Universal Credit, it's important to know the travel rules -Credit:Getty Images

A warning has been issued to benefit claimants over the rules of travelling abroad and things they must bear in mind when planning a trip.

The Department for Work and Pensions has sent an alert to Universal Credit claimants regarding holidays. The Government states: "If you go abroad, you can continue to get Universal Credit for one month. You must be eligible for Universal Credit when you’re going abroad, remain eligible for it while you’re abroad and tell your work coach that you’re going.

"If a close relative dies while you’re abroad and it would not be reasonable for you to come back to the UK, you can get Universal Credit for one more month. You cannot get Universal Credit if you’re moving abroad permanently. You cannot apply for Universal Credit if you’re already abroad."

It further adds: "You can continue to get Universal Credit for up to 6 months if you go abroad for medical treatment, you go abroad for a period of recovery that’s been approved by a medical professional (also known as ‘approved convalescence’) and your partner or child is going abroad for medical treatment or ‘approved convalescence’ and you’re going with them."

If you’re a civil servant, diplomat or member of the armed forces, there are different rules, reports BirminghamLive. The DWP says: "You may be able to make a claim or keep getting Universal Credit while you’re abroad if you’re abroad due to work duties, for example posted abroad in the armed forces and the UK was your main home immediately before you were sent abroad (you were ‘habitually resident’ in the UK).

"You need to tell your work coach before you go abroad. They’ll tell you which things from your ‘claimant commitment’ you need to keep doing while you’re abroad." If you’re a mariner or continental shelf worker, you’re entitled to Universal Credit when you go abroad, and you can continue to get it for up to six months.

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