DWP issues 'fraud' warning to benefits claimants going on holiday this year
The Department for Work and Pensions has issued a warning over claiming benefits "if you go abroad" on holiday. Under DWP guidance, UK tourists jetting off in the spring or summer have been told: "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, either. 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’) OR your partner or child is going abroad for medical treatment or ‘approved convalescence’ and you’re going with them.
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There are different rules for claiming Universal Credit while abroad if you’re a civil servant, diplomat or a member of the armed forces. 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 or 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, then if you’re entitled to Universal Credit when you go abroad, you can continue to get it for up to 6 months.
You’re committing benefit fraud if you do not tell the office that pays your benefit you’re going abroad, even if it’s just for a visit, DWP officials warn. And you're committing fraud if you deliberately do not report a change in your circumstances while abroad, like buying a property, working, or claiming a pension or benefit from another country, it says.
You are also committing benefit fraud if you are dishonest in order to get benefits, like continuing to claim the pension or benefit of someone who has died overseas.