Temporary Absence from Home
You can sometimes get benefit if you are away from home on a temporary basis. Some people will be entitled to get benefit for up to 13 weeks and others for up to 52 weeks.
You can get benefit for up to 13 weeks if you are:
- on holiday
- doing voluntary work
- looking after a sick relative or friend
- a convicted prisoner
but you must intend to return home within 13 weeks and you must not sublet your home.
You can get benefit for up to 52 weeks if you are:
- in hospital
- in custody/on remand (as soon as you are sentenced you will be assessed under the 13 week rules)
- in fear of violence
- receiving care in a residential care home (see below)
Residential Care Homes
If you are in residential care on a trial basis to assess whether it is the right accommodation for you, you can continue to get your housing benefit for up to 13 weeks, so long as you intend to return home within 52 weeks if the accommodation proves not to be suitable for you.
If you know you are going to be away from home, contact us straight away. We will ask you to confirm in writing:
- the reason why you will be away
- how long you will be away for
- if you intend to return to your home.
You must also let us know if you sublet your property and if your income/savings change while you are away from home.
We will then be able to tell you if you are entitled to benefit. If your circumstances change while you are away, you must let us know. You must also let us know immediately if you decide not to return home. We will stop paying you benefit from the Monday following the date you decide not to return home.
