Leaving the UK on last day of assessment period...

weezer4545

Hi,

If I leave the UK on the last day of my assessment period, would I still be entitled to receive my UC payment a few days later?

I would be outside of the country for two months, so I will definitely be closing my claim.

Unfortunately my flight is already booked, but I am considering changing it so that I depart a day later (if necessary).

However, I have heard anecdotally that you have to be absent for the entire day to be considered absent, which would be nice...

Thanks!

poppy123456

You can go abroad for a maximum of 1 month. The day you go and the day you return are not counted in that period.
That means you will be entitled to that payment.

weezer4545

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/894745#Comment_894745

Thank you for your reply.

I will definitely be abroad for two months, so how should I inform the DWP? And when?

If I simply write in my journal that I plan to leave the UK on the last day of my assessment period for two months, would my statement be generated as usual (for the final time)? Then my account would lay dormant until I returned to the UK and updated my circumstances?

Thanks again :)

egister

Discrimination against people with disabilities who have traveled abroad is shameful and outrageous.

poppy123456

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/894799#Comment_894799

I don’t see it as discrimination, it’s Universal Credit law and applies to everyone claiming it, whether they are disabled or not.

Only being allowed to go abroad for certain lengths of time applies to all means tested benefits, as well as disability benefits.

poppy123456

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/894756#Comment_894756

You can go for 1 month if you have no commitments for UC then I’d advise you to wait until you receive that payment after you leave the UK. Then log into your journal and report a change of circumstances, scroll down the list and request to close your claim.

egister

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/894874#Comment_894874

If, for example, a disabled person from the British Isles is better off living in Spain or Italy due to health reasons, is the cancellation of payments discrimination or not?

poppy123456

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/895064#Comment_895064

No it is not. UC stops after 1 month outside of the country. It’s the law.