More than one million people across the Britain are currently claiming the Department for Work and Pensions benefit
With summer upon us, countless Brits will be jetting off on holiday to soak up some much-deserved sunshine. Nevertheless, those receiving Carer’s Allowance must remember to notify authorities of any changes to their circumstances where relevant.
Current government estimates indicate that around 1.439 million people throughout Great Britain are presently receiving a Carer’s Allowance. This Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) benefit provides £83.30 weekly and aims to assist those caring for someone for a minimum of 35 hours each week.
Whilst recipients don’t need to declare a change in circumstances for a day away, they must do so for extended overseas trips. The Daily Record reports that this particularly applies to foreign travel exceeding four weeks within a six-month timeframe.
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This means anyone planning several international getaways between now and the end of the year must verify that their dates meet GOV.UK guidance. Its current guidelines state: “Tell the office that pays your benefit if you plan to go abroad for more than four weeks.
“You can carry on claiming Carer’s Allowance if you take up to four weeks holiday out of a 26-week period.” Despite this, additional guidance from Independent Age suggests that when temporarily travelling overseas with the person you care for, and they receive particular benefits including Personal Independence Payment (PIP), Adult Disability Payment, Disability Living Allowance (DLA) or Attendance Allowance, the permitted duration may be longer.
The guidance also indicates that if you move to a country within the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland, you may be able to continue receiving payments or make a new claim. More information can be found on GOV.UK here.
Other changes in circumstances you may need to report
Benefits claimants are required to inform the government of any relevant changes in their circumstances. As per the government’s website, these may also include:
- Going into hospital, a care home or sheltered accommodation
- Any changes to your medical condition or disability
- Changing your doctor
- Changes to your pension, savings, investments or property
- Changes to other money you get (for example student loans or grants, sick pay or money you get from a charity)
- Changes to the benefits you or anyone else in your house gets
- You or your partner getting back-pay (sometimes called ‘arrears’) for salary or earnings you’re owed
- Changes to your immigration status, if you’re not a British citizen
- Changing your name or gender
- Finding or finishing a job, or working different hours
- Your income going up or down
- Starting or stopping education, training or an apprenticeship
- Moving house
- People moving into or out of the place you live (for example your partner, a child or lodger)
- The death of your partner or someone you live with
- Having a baby
- Starting or stopping caring for someone
- Getting married or divorced
- Starting or ending a civil partnership
- Planning to go abroad for any length of time
Further information on changes to report can be found at GOV.UK here. You can report the change online on that same page.