Universal Credit holiday rule means 'you need to tell DWP' and could mean court action

With almost 8 million people claiming Universal Credit, many people on the benefit may be planning a holiday abroad this summer and be wondering how the rules relate to them. You need to inform the DWP if you have a trip abroad planned.

Government guidance explains that you need to inform the DWP if you are "going outside Great Britain for any length of time" or "going outside Northern Ireland for any length of time", if you live in either of these respective areas.

If you go abroad, you can continue to get Universal Credit for up to one month. However, you will need to tell your work coach you are going abroad. You also need to be eligible for the benefit when you go abroad and for the duration of your trip.

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When can I get Universal Credit for an extended period while abroad?

You may be able to get the benefit for another month if a close relative of yours dies while you are abroad, and it wouldn't be reasonable for you to come back to the UK.

You may also be able to get Universal Credit for up to 6 months while you are abroad if:

• You go abroad for medical treatment
• You go abroad for a period of recovery that’s been approved by a medical professional (also known as ‘approved convalescence’)
• Your partner or child is going abroad for medical treatment or ‘approved convalescence’ and you’re going with them.

It's important to report a change in your situation such as going abroad to ensure you are paid correctly, or you could end up having to repay an amount. DWP guidance explains: "You need to report changes to your circumstances so you keep getting the right amount each month. You need to report changes as soon as they happen.

"Any delay may mean you receive too much money and will have to make a repayment. Changes in your circumstances can affect how much you're paid for your whole assessment period - not just from the date you report them."

What happens if I fail to report a trip abroad to the DWP?

Information from the DWP warns: "You could be taken to court or have to pay a penalty if you give wrong information or do not report a change in your circumstances." If you do not report a change in a timely manner, you may have to pay back some of your benefits.

If you are deemed to have deliberately failed to report a change, this could be investigated as benefit fraud. This could mean all your benefits are stopped while your case is looked into.