Moving and already claiming benefit?

Report a change in circumstances online

or

download a form

Change of address form (pdf)

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).