Holiday Whilst Caiming ESA

Can I go to to Spain for 2 wks holiday with my daughter who is paying for me whilst claiming ESA?

Whilst we are on the subject, could you let me know what is the longest holiday you can go for (to Europe) whilst claiming ESA. Also, is it for this period in every twelve months, or can you go on holiday more than once for that same period away? Hope that makes sense! Thankyou, Lainie

if it was me, i wouldn't tell them

Googled 'employment support allowance holidays'

Most relevant answer showing available from:

uk.answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20100307211954AAsJfwd

Suggestion seems to be to check with DWP direct.

This is an extract from a letter I composed afterI was told that, if I went abroad for 10 days to Spain, that my claim would be shut down and when I returned, that I would have to re-start the claim from zero. I was told this by a Jobcentre Plus/Work Directions staff member.

So don't rely on anyone having this sort of knowledge.

"Dear XXXXX

I explored the DWP and OPSI websites as a result of our telephone conversation on Friday and, it appears to me to be acceptable to go abroad for 10 days and that my claim will not be shut down and payments will still be received; I would be grateful for your comments on this issue.

I will, as requested by them, inform Jobcentreplus of this absence abroad.

XXXX referred it to his manager who agreed that this was correct. There was a moment when a shard of officiousness remained so he asked me to photocopy the plane ticket!!

Hope I haven'tstolen all your bandwidth, sorry for the length.
Good luck, and remember these rules seem only to apply within Europe or countries which fall within the OECD

Extract is from the DWP website International section www.dwp.gov.uk/international/benefits/em...-support/index.shtml
Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
Temporary absences

If you are temporarily in another country, you can continue to receive either contribution-based or income-related ESA for the first four weeks of your absence, as long as you are unlikely to be away for more than 52 weeks.

If you are going abroad temporarily for medical treatment or to accompany a dependent child for their treatment, you may be able to continue receiving ESA for up to 26 weeks while you are away, as long as you are unlikely to be away for more than 52 weeks. The treatment must be directly related to a health condition which began before leaving Great Britain and you must seek permission before you go. If the treatment is for you, it must be for a condition directly related to your limited capability for work.
If you are going abroad temporarily to receive NHS treatment, you can still receive ESA if you continue to meet all the other conditions and you obtain specific permission before you leave.
Extract from OPSI The Employment and Support Allowance Regulations 2008 No. 79
CHAPTER 3 Temporary absence from Great Britain
Absence from Great Britain
151.—(1) A claimant who is entitled to an employment and support allowance is to continue to be so entitled during a period of temporary absence from Great Britain only in accordance with this Chapter.
(2) A claimant who continues to be entitled to a contributory allowance during a period of temporary absence will not be disqualified for receiving that allowance during that period under section 18(4) of the Act.
Short absence
152. A claimant is to continue to be entitled to an employment and support allowance during the first 4 weeks of a temporary absence from Great Britain if—
(a) the period of absence is unlikely to exceed 52 weeks; and
(b) while absent from Great Britain, the claimant continues to satisfy the other conditions of entitlement to that employment and support allowance.

Thank you for that information Rachel, very helpful. All the best. Lainie