DWP rules for going on holiday and how trip abroad may affect benefits

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has issued a warning for families hoping to go abroad this summer.

Before booking a flight or even heading to the airport, benefit claimants must follow some strict rules or risk losing their claim. This is because benefits such as Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payments may be affected if you're not in the country for an extended period of time.

Here's a breakdown of everything you need to know about the DWP's travel rules so you don't risk losing your benefits, Wales Online reports.

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Official DWP rules state that you can claim your benefit while away from the UK for up to one month. However, you must continue to meet the requirements you agreed to when you first claimed your benefit.

This includes:

For example, those who are in the intensive work group must spend 35 to 37 hours a week looking for work which must be upheld even if you're on holiday. Claimants will need to show evidence of this to their work coach such as a list of jobs they applied for while they were away.

Previous DWP guidance has said claimants "must be prepared to end their absence abroad to attend job interviews or start work" but added: "We have never asked anyone to come back early but it is a possibility."

There are exceptions to the one-month rules. You can continue to claim universal credit for up to six months in the following cases:

It's important that yo always inform the DWP that you intend to go abroad and your reasons for going. If you don't fall under the extension rule and are gone for longer than a month, your Universal Credit assessment period could be reduced to nil.

For other benefits, there are slight