Lewes District Council

You normally need to be living in the home that you are claiming benefit for. You may be able to receive Housing and/or Council Tax Benefit whilst you are temporarily absent as long as you intend to return home and this property is not re-let.  Your benefit may also be affected if a member of your household is absent for a period of time.

As soon as you know that you, or any member of your household, are going to be absent from your property for any length of time you must inform us.

We will need:

• the date of departure
• the expected date of return
• the reason for the absence
• a contact address in case we need further information

We will then be able to decide whether you fall into one of the qualifying categories that enable us to continue paying benefit while you are absent or if your benefit will need to be ended. 

We will write to you with our decision and you will be given the opportunity to appeal should you want to.

Examples of qualifying categories

Holidays

Normally you can continue receiving benefit while you are away as long as the absence does not exceed 13 weeks. We may ask you for information about how the trip is being funded. If you are on a working holiday we will need to see evidence of any income you receive as it may affect your benefit.

Prisoners

You can continue to receive benefit for up to 52 weeks while held on remand. However, once sentenced, if it is clear that the period of absence will be for more than 13 weeks then benefit will stop from the date of sentence.

Hospital Patients

You can continue to receive benefit for up to 52 weeks while a patient in hospital.

Residential Care

There are several different rules. If you enter a home on a permanent basis you are no longer entitled to benefit. If you enter residential care with the intention of returning home, you can be entitled to benefit on your rented home for up to 52 weeks. If you go into residential care on a trial basis, you can continue to receive benefit for up to 13 weeks.

Medical Treatment

Benefit can be paid for 52 weeks if you are receiving medical treatment or medically approved convalescence but not in residential care. You may also quality if you are providing medically approved care for someone else, or you will be caring for a child whose guardians are receiving medically approved care.