Universal Credit Payments Could Stop If You Go on Holiday This Summer
Universal Credit (UC) claimants risk losing out on payments if they go on holiday for too long. UC is a payment from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) for people on a low income, out of work, or unable to work. It comes in the form of payments to help with living costs.
These are paid out monthly, or twice a month for some people in Scotland, the UK Government website explains. Northern Ireland residents are paid twice a month by default, but can switch to once a month if they wish. In early April, the standard rate for UC saw an above-inflation boost as part of an overhaul of the benefits system. The basic rate for single people aged 25 and over increased from £400.14 a month to £424.90 per month. This cohort has the largest share of claimants, and payments amount to approximately £5,098.98 over a 12-month period. For couples, the rates rose from £497.55 to £528.34 for those under 25, and from £628.10 to £666.97 for over-25s.
Rules for Claiming Universal Credit While Abroad
There are various rules associated with the benefit, including how long you're allowed to leave the country while continuing to claim it. The UK Government explains that if UC recipients go abroad, they continue to get it for one month, provided: they are eligible for Universal Credit when going abroad, they remain eligible for it while abroad, and they inform their work coach that they're going.
This can be extended if there are mitigating circumstances. The GOV.UK website clarifies that if a close relative dies while claimants are abroad and it would not be reasonable to return to the UK, they can continue to get UC for one more month.
Extended Absences for Medical Reasons
However, payments will cease if you move abroad permanently, and you can't apply for it if you're already overseas. But you can continue to get payments for up to six months if you go abroad for medical treatment, approved convalescence (a period of recovery after treatment in England, Scotland or Wales), or to care for your partner or child who is getting medical treatment or going for a period of recovery. Any medical treatment you cite to justify this has to be carried out by a qualified medical professional. You can stay in the country where the medical treatment took place to recover or care for your partner or child.
Those travelling abroad specifically for a period of recovery must have this approved by a medical professional in the UK.
Important Steps for Claimants
Claimants are told to contact Universal Credit as soon as they know they're going abroad. Different rules about claiming while out of the country apply to civil servants, diplomats, members of the armed forces, mariners or continental shelf workers.
You can find the rules in full on the UK Government website. Meanwhile, a change the Government argues will remove incentives that "discourage work and trap people on benefits" – the Universal Credit "Health Element" – has markedly reduced for millions of Britons, though those with the most severe medical conditions, and existing claimants, are protected.
