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Absence From Home and Going Away

What do I need to tell you if I am going away?

If you are going to be away from home for a period of time, other than going on holiday for one or two weeks, please tell us before you go. We will want to know the reason why you are going away, the date you intend to leave and return, and what your income will be during this time. Your benefit may stop and you may need to complete a new application form for the period you are away.

If you do not tell us before you go away you may lose benefit.

Housing Benefit can still be paid whilst you are away providing that:

1. You intend the property to be your home when you return
2. The property where you have lived is not let or sub-let
3. You will not be away for more than 13 weeks

In certain circumstances we can pay benefit for you if you are going to be away for up to 52 weeks, such as: -

• A prisoner on remand
• An in-patient in hospital or similar institution
• Receiving medical treatment or medically approved convalescence for yourself, your partner or a dependant child in the UK or abroad, but not in residential accommodation
• Undertaking an approved training course in the UK or abroad
• Providing medically approved care in the UK or abroad
• Providing care for a child whose parent or guardian is receiving medical treatment or medically approved care
• Receiving medically approved care in the UK or abroad but not in residential accommodation
• A vulnerable student
• In fear of violence from a member (or former member) of your home
• Receiving care in residential accommodation other than on a trial basis

What do I need to tell you if I am going into hospital?

If you go into hospital we can pay your benefit for up to 52 weeks as long as you are expected to return home within that time.

Obviously you will not always know in advance if you are going into hospital, for example, if you have an accident. If this is the case please let us know as soon as you can or ask a friend, relative or Hospital Social Worker to let us know.

You will need to let us know:

• The date you were admitted to hospital
• The date you expect to be discharged from hospital
• Any changes in your income

What do I need to tell you if I am fleeing domestic violence?

It is possible for Housing Benefit to be paid for up to 52 weeks if you have had to leave your home due to fear of domestic violence.

If you are experiencing domestic violence, and you find yourself in an emergency situation ring 999 and ask for the police, or ring your local police station if you know the number.

The above information applies whether you are a man or a woman.

If you are a woman, you can ring the Domestic Violence Helpline (part of the Women's Aid National Helpline) on 0845 702 3468

You must tell us that you are away from home as soon as possible.

We will not disclose your whereabouts to anyone else!

What do I need to tell you if I am in prison?

While you are in prison on remand, you can continue getting benefit for up to 52 weeks.

If you are convicted and sentenced during this time, you can only continue to get housing benefit if your total absence is not likely to be for more than 13 weeks.

If you have already received housing benefit while remanded in custody for 13 weeks or more, your housing benefit will stop immediately you are sentenced. If you were not remanded in custody before you were convicted and sentenced, you can only continue to get housing benefit if you are likely to serve a total of 13 weeks or less, taking any likely remission into account.

You must let us know as soon as possible if you are in prison.

Remember, in all other circumstances the period of absence must not be for more than 13 weeks. If you are away for more than 13 weeks, we will not normally be able to pay you any housing benefit during the period of absence, even if you told us before you left.