Thousands claiming benefits warned of travelling this summer: Your payments could be affected

If your household claims benefits including Universal Credit, you’ll have to inform the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) about going on holidays abroad for any length of time as it counts as a change of circumstances.

If you don’t comply with this requirement you risk having your payment stopped.

How long can I stay abroad and still receive Universal Credit?

There are limits on how long you can stay abroad and carry on receiving your benefits, and the criteria depend on which specific benefit you are on.

If you are on Universal Credit, you can only be away for a month to carry on receiving payments. You will need to report your travel plans to your work coach as it counts as a change in circumstances. Failing to inform DWP about it could see your claim stopped or reduced and you get a fine between £350 and £5,000. You might miss out on your time away and have to cut your holiday short.

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Not reporting a change in circumstances can be classed as benefit fraud.

If you are in the intensive workgroup and have to spend a minimum amount of hours per week looking for a job, you have to continue doing this.

There are exceptions to the one-month rule such as if a ‘close relative’ dies. You can also carry on claiming Universal Credit for up to six months if you have gone abroad for medical treatment.

If you are claiming Universal Credit, you can record any changes on your online journal or contact the helpline on 0800 328 5644. You can also get in touch with your local Jobcentre Plus.

When else can Universal Credit payments be stopped?

You could see your Universal Credit payments reduced or even stopped if you don’t follow DWP’s demands you agreed on.

Your payments can become subject to sanctions if you are not applying or looking for work andrefusing a job offer. Quitting your job without a good reason, coming late to appointments and interviews or not taking a job in a different sector will also make you lose money.

You can appeal a sanction if you think you've been treated unfairly by the DWP by asking for a ‘mandatory reconsideration’.

For most benefits, you have one month from when you were notified about the sanction to apply for one.

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Sources used:

- The Sun: 'Urgent warning to households on Universal Credit and benefits going on holiday this summer who risk cutting payments'