Temporary absence from home?

The 13 week rule
If you fulfil the criteria below you may be able to remain entitled to benefit for up to 13 weeks. To qualify you must:

• Intend to return to the property
• Not let or sub-let the property you normally occupy
• The period of absence must not exceed 13 or 52 weeks (see below)

This most commonly occurs in the following scenarios:

• A trial period in residential accommodation
• Absence from home for any other reason (as long as you intend to return home within a strict 13 weeks) such as holiday or visiting family.

The period of absence must not exceed 13 weeks. If it does no benefit will be paid

The 52 week rule
You may be able to remain entitled to benefit for up to 52 weeks if the above criteria apply and additionally you fall into any of the categories outlined below:

• If you are in prison on remand awaiting sentencing including if you are in a bail hostel
• If you are in a care home or independent hospital receiving respite care (This must not be for a trial period)
• If you are in hospital or receiving medically approved care
• If you are undergoing medical treatment or medically approved convalescence, or your partner or child is undergoing this
• If you are undertaking medically approved care of someone else
• If you are providing care for a child, who is under 16, whose parent or guardian is receiving medical treatment or medically approved care
• If you are undertaking a government training course
• If you are a student who is eligible for Housing/Council Tax benefit and you have to study abroad for part of your course
• If you have left your property through fear of violence and you are not eligible for benefit in your new circumstances and because for example you are staying with a close relative and you are not liable to pay rent on two homes but you do intend to return to occupy your original home

The period of absence must be unlikely to exceed 52 weeks. If the absence is likely to exceed 52 weeks no benefit will be paid.

Absence from your home due to essential repairs
If you are moved to temporary accommodation, whilst essential repairs are being carried out on your home and you are still charged rent for this property, you will be treated as still occupying the property and benefit will continue to be paid.

If you are charged rent for your normal home and the temporary accommodation, you will only receive Housing benefit for the property you normally occupy as your home.