Need Advice Universal Credit and Time Abroad

fifa_world_class7

Hi everyone,

I’m a British citizen with a profound disability, living in the UK. Over the past year, I’ve been spending extended periods in the Netherlands. Universal Credit recently asked me to provide evidence to verify my claim.

They requested:
• A copy of my photo ID.
• A photo of me standing outside my property with the front door open, holding a piece of paper with that day’s date.
• Travel evidence for the periods I was abroad.
• A letter from my GP practice confirming I’m registered with them and stating my address.

I submitted all the requested documentation. However, they’ve now asked for a detailed explanation of why I traveled to the Netherlands.

The reasons for my travel are:
1. Supporting my girlfriend and her family – Her father has been undergoing treatment for leukemia.
2. Spending time with my children – My 5-year-old daughter lives in the Netherlands with her mother, and this year, we welcomed a newborn baby together.

I’m worried that disclosing my children living with their mother abroad might create issues or cause them to stop my benefits. Has anyone faced a similar situation or know how this might impact my claim?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance!

poppy123456

Disclosing that you have children living abroad will not affect your UC. How long have you been spending time abroad each time you go? If it's longer than 1 month each time then yes there will be issues because the maximum time you can go is 1 month. The day you leave and the day you come home are not counted in that month.

fifa_world_class7

Please note that I spent more than one month abroad due to family reasons, especially because my girlfriend’s father was undergoing treatment for leukemia, and they needed my support. My family is helping me write this post because I am disabled, deaf, and have difficulty understanding or reading, which can sometimes lead to misunderstandings or miscommunication.

In this case, could this affect my benefits? I don’t know what to do because of my disability, and I’m feeling really unsure about how to handle this.

If I’ve failed to follow any rules, is it possible they might accept my apologies due to my circumstances?

poppy123456

Entitlement to UC can't continue while abroad for longer than 1 month. It may continue if abroad for medical treatment but you're not abroad for this reason.

You should have reported the changes once you had been there for 1 month. You will have an overpayment of UC which will need to be repaid back.

I'd advise you to be honest and tell them what's happened. How long have you been abroad for?

Are you claiming any other benefits such as PIP/DLA or Adult disability Payment (ADP)?

poppy123456

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/939230#Comment_939230

The baby with the partner is irrelevant because they don't live together. For UC purposes, it's living together that counts, even if you're married.

poppy123456

It depends who's part of your household. Living with a partner and any children would be part of your household. Living with other people would not be part of your household. Same applies when you don't live with a partner.