See Also
Moving and already claiming
benefit?
Report a change in circumstances online
or
download a
form
Change of address form (pdf)
Contact Us
Email:
Benefits@thanet.gov.uk
Phone:
from 9am to 5.30pm. If your family name begins:
A-Don call (01843) 577554
Doo-Ker call
(01843) 577555
Kes-Ric call
(01843) 577556
Rid-Z call (01843) 577551
Fax: 01843 577532
or Visit our
offices
Getting Benefits while away from home
To receive Housing and Council Tax Benefit you must be living in
the property for which you are claiming benefit. There are certain
exceptions to this rule, one is that some people can continue to
claim benefit during periods of absence from their home.
The following explains the circumstances where somebody can
continue to claim benefit while being away from home.
General Rules
The length of time for which you can claim benefit during an
absence depends on the reason why you are away from home. Some
people can continue to claim for 13 weeks and others can claim for
52 weeks. However, both groups should meet the following qualifying
conditions:
- you must intend to return to the property after your absence
ends;
- you or your landlord must not sublet your accommodation while
you are away, and
- at the start of your absence, you must not expect to be away
for more than 13 or 52 weeks
The 13 Week Rule
You can to continue to claim benefit for up to 13 weeks while
you are away from home if:
- you are in residential accommodation on a trial basis, or
- you have been convicted and sentenced for a crime, or
- you are on holiday or visiting friends, etc
The 52 Week Rule
You can continue to claim benefit for up to 52 weeks while you
are away from home if:
- you are on remand awaiting trial, or
- you are in hospital, or
- you are receiving approved medical care
Not sure?
If you are unsure of how your absence will be treated for
benefit purposes, please contact the Benefits Service for
advice.
What information is needed by the Benefits Service?
If you are going to be away from home, please advise the
Benefits Service before you leave. We need to know the
following:
- how long you will be away for;
- the reason for your absence, and
- confirmation that you will return to live in your property and
that the property will not be sublet.
While you are away
Please advise the Benefits Service if any of the following
happens while you are away:
- if you decide not to return to the property
- if your reason for absence changes
- if you are likely to be away for longer than expected
Unhappy with the final decision?
If you would like more information about how your benefit is
worked out, you must write to the Benefits Service asking for full
details.
If you are unhappy with how we have worked out your benefit, you
have the right to appeal. You should do this in writing, within one
month of receiving notification of your benefit entitlement (see
Reviews and Appeals).