Benefits whilst away from home
Housing and Council Tax Benefits are only normally payable whilst you are living at the property. However benefit may still be paid while you are away from home in certain circumstances.
To qualify you must:
- Intend to return to the property following the temporary absence.
- Not sub-let or re-let the property while you are away.
- Not claim Housing or Council Tax Benefit elsewhere during your absence.
13 week rule
While you are away from home you may be able to claim benefit for up to 13 weeks if you are:
- On holiday and your circumstances remain the same.
- Absent for domestic reasons, such as a bereavement or family illness.
- Absent for religious reasons.
- Working away from home in the UK or abroad.
- A sentenced prisoner (benefit can only be awarded if the total absence, including any period on remand, is likely to be less than 13 weeks).
52 week rule
You may be able to claim benefit for up to 52 weeks while you are away from home if you are:
- A prisoner on remand, including bail hostels (if you are sentenced you automatically fall under the 13 week rule).
- A patient in hospital.
- Receiving medically approved care, treatment or convalescence.
- Providing medically approved care for someone else.
- Providing care for a child whose parent or guardian is receiving medical treatment.
- Attending an approved training course.
- In fear of violence.
- A student eligible for benefit and are absent on residential study.
‘Medically approved’ means certified by a medical practitioner such as a GP or nurse.
Residential Care Accommodation
To qualify you must:
- Intend to return to the property following the temporary absence.
- Not sub-let or re-let the property while you are away.
- Not claim Housing or Council Tax Benefit elsewhere during your absence.
13 week rule
While you are away from home you may be able to claim benefit for up to 13 weeks if you are:
- On holiday and your circumstances remain the same.
- Absent for domestic reasons, such as a bereavement or family illness.
- Absent for religious reasons.
- Working away from home in the UK or abroad.
- A sentenced prisoner (benefit can only be awarded if the total absence, including any period on remand, is likely to be less than 13 weeks).
52 week rule
You may be able to claim benefit for up to 52 weeks while you are away from home if you are:
- A prisoner on remand, including bail hostels (if you are sentenced you automatically fall under the 13 week rule).
- A patient in hospital.
- Receiving medically approved care, treatment or convalescence.
- Providing medically approved care for someone else.
- Providing care for a child whose parent or guardian is receiving medical treatment.
- Attending an approved training course.
- In fear of violence.
- A student eligible for benefit and are absent on residential study.
‘Medically approved’ means certified by a medical practitioner such as a GP or nurse.
Residential Care Accommodation
If you go into residential care accommodation on a trial basis you may be entitled to benefit for up to 13 weeks. However, you must intend to return home if the accommodation is unsuitable for your needs.
If you move into residential care accommodation to receive temporary care and you intend to return home you may be entitled to benefit for up to 52 weeks.
Should you become a permanent resident in residential care accommodation you will not be entitled to Housing or Council Tax Benefit. However, in certain circumstances you may be entitled to up to four weeks Housing Benefit to cover the period of notice on your previous tenancy. This rule can also apply to prisoners . If you think this may apply to you contact the Revenues & Benefits office.
I know I’m going away for a temporary period – what should I do?
You must tell us in writing as soon as possible if you are going away from home and wish to continue claming benefit. You should confirm the date you are going away and the date you expect to return home, as well as provide us with details of where you will be staying. It is important that you notify us when you return home.
If you move into residential care accommodation to receive temporary care and you intend to return home you may be entitled to benefit for up to 52 weeks.
Should you become a permanent resident in residential care accommodation you will not be entitled to Housing or Council Tax Benefit. However, in certain circumstances you may be entitled to up to four weeks Housing Benefit to cover the period of notice on your previous tenancy. This rule can also apply to prisoners . If you think this may apply to you contact the Revenues & Benefits office.
I know I’m going away for a temporary period – what should I do?
You must tell us in writing as soon as possible if you are going away from home and wish to continue claming benefit. You should confirm the date you are going away and the date you expect to return home, as well as provide us with details of where you will be staying. It is important that you notify us when you return home.