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Benefit rules relaxed due to Coronavirus?
- chopsuey
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5 years 1 month ago #246499 by chopsuey
Benefit rules relaxed due to Coronavirus? was created by chopsuey
Hello
Please can you tell me how long you can be away from your home (due to illness and needing looking after) before your benefits are affected? (ESA , PIP and housing/council tax benefit) Will there be some relaxation of the normal rules due to the Covid-19 pandemic?
Many thanks
Please can you tell me how long you can be away from your home (due to illness and needing looking after) before your benefits are affected? (ESA , PIP and housing/council tax benefit) Will there be some relaxation of the normal rules due to the Covid-19 pandemic?
Many thanks
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- Gary
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5 years 1 month ago #246504 by Gary
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
Replied by Gary on topic Benefit rules relaxed due to Coronavirus?
Hi chopsuey
When you say, how long you can be away from your home, are we talking, going abroad? If we are then it is 13 weeks for PIP and 4 weeks for ESA. The day they leave and the day they return should not be counted. See
www.gov.uk/claim-benefits-abroad/disability-benefits
I am not aware of any relaxation of the normal rules.
Gary
When you say, how long you can be away from your home, are we talking, going abroad? If we are then it is 13 weeks for PIP and 4 weeks for ESA. The day they leave and the day they return should not be counted. See
www.gov.uk/claim-benefits-abroad/disability-benefits
I am not aware of any relaxation of the normal rules.
Gary
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- chopsuey
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5 years 1 month ago #246509 by chopsuey
Replied by chopsuey on topic Benefit rules relaxed due to Coronavirus?
Hi Gary
Many thanks for your reply - no he’s not going abroad (can anyone at the moment?!) - my son is staying with friends who can give him support rather than being isolated at his home (he was already there when the lockdown rules came into force) We feel it is better for his mental health that he continues to stay with them as they can support his needs as his normal Carers are not able to support him due to self isolating. However he is anxious about his benefits. If he goes home for 1 night to satisfy the benefits rulers as I understand he then will not be able to go back to his friends because of the lockdown rules.
Do you know what the rules are for ESA under these circumstances please?
Many thanks
Many thanks for your reply - no he’s not going abroad (can anyone at the moment?!) - my son is staying with friends who can give him support rather than being isolated at his home (he was already there when the lockdown rules came into force) We feel it is better for his mental health that he continues to stay with them as they can support his needs as his normal Carers are not able to support him due to self isolating. However he is anxious about his benefits. If he goes home for 1 night to satisfy the benefits rulers as I understand he then will not be able to go back to his friends because of the lockdown rules.
Do you know what the rules are for ESA under these circumstances please?
Many thanks
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- Gary
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5 years 1 month ago #246510 by Gary
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
Replied by Gary on topic Benefit rules relaxed due to Coronavirus?
Hi chopsuey
It has no effect on ESA, however HB is a different matter, you can continue to get HB while you are temporarily absent from your home.
The 13 week rule: You can get HB for up to 13 weeks during a temporary absence from your home if :
* you intend to return to occupy it as your home
* the part you normally occupy has not been let or sub-let
* your absence is unlikely to exceed 13 continuous weeks.
if your leave Great Brittain then your HB is limited to 4 weeks
The 52 week rule: You can get HB for up to 52 weeks during a temporary absence from your home if :
* you intend to return to occupy it as your home
*the part you normally occupy has not been let or sub-let
* your absence is unlikely to exceed 52 continuous weeks.
You can get HB under this rule if you are:
* a patient in a hospital or similar institution
* receiving medical treatment or medically approved care or convalescence (other than a care home)
If your absence is likely to exceed 13 or 52 continuous weeks, you cannot get HB for any of the time you are away.
Stay safe
Gary
It has no effect on ESA, however HB is a different matter, you can continue to get HB while you are temporarily absent from your home.
The 13 week rule: You can get HB for up to 13 weeks during a temporary absence from your home if :
* you intend to return to occupy it as your home
* the part you normally occupy has not been let or sub-let
* your absence is unlikely to exceed 13 continuous weeks.
if your leave Great Brittain then your HB is limited to 4 weeks
The 52 week rule: You can get HB for up to 52 weeks during a temporary absence from your home if :
* you intend to return to occupy it as your home
*the part you normally occupy has not been let or sub-let
* your absence is unlikely to exceed 52 continuous weeks.
You can get HB under this rule if you are:
* a patient in a hospital or similar institution
* receiving medical treatment or medically approved care or convalescence (other than a care home)
If your absence is likely to exceed 13 or 52 continuous weeks, you cannot get HB for any of the time you are away.
Stay safe
Gary
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
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- chopsuey
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5 years 1 month ago #246531 by chopsuey
Replied by chopsuey on topic Benefit rules relaxed due to Coronavirus?
That’s really helpful - thank you! 
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