Overview
- The Department for Work and Pensions published guidance over the weekend that confirms most Universal Credit claimants can keep payments for up to one month while they are abroad.
- Claimants must be eligible at the point of departure, remain eligible while overseas, and declare travel plans through their online account or by contacting the Universal Credit helpline or a work coach.
- There is a separate medical-treatment rule that allows Universal Credit to continue for up to six months when treatment is provided by a qualified clinician or when approved convalescence is authorised by a UK medical professional.
- Missing agreed jobcentre appointments or failing to follow an agreed claimant commitment can trigger sanctions that reduce or stop payments, so the DWP urges immediate notification to avoid interruptions.
- The clarification, published in reports on Saturday, comes at a time of heightened concern about benefit security and cost pressures and may change how claimants plan holidays or overseas medical care.