Temporary absence from home/Going abroad
It is important to notify us when you are going abroad to make sure that:
- You continue to receive all the benefits that you are entitled to
- Any members of your family who remain in the UK, receive all the benefits that they are entitled to
- To avoid problems when you return to the UK
You can still qualify for benefits when you are absent from your home in certain circumstances.
For Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit you need to give us details in writing of the date you intend to leave and the intended length of absence. Normally you can only get Housing Benefit or Council Tax Benefit for periods of temporary absence up to 13 weeks.
If you do not intend to return home you must notify us immediately.
If you are receiving Income Support or Jobseeker’s Allowance, this will stop after 4 weeks abroad. If this is the case you will need to complete a new claim for Housing Benefit and/or Council Tax Benefit on your return.
You can receive benefit for up to 52 weeks if you intend to return home and you are hospitalised or if you are in custody on remand.
Care homes
If you are in residential care on a trial basis, you can receive benefit for up to 13 weeks for your present home but you must intend to return home if the trial period does not work and you must not sublet your property while you are away.
Temporary absence from your home (738KB) 
If you have any further queries, please contact us.
