You can receive Housing Benefit for up to 13 weeks if you are away from home, for example because you are:

• on holiday
• doing voluntary work
• looking after a sick relative/friend
• a convicted prisoner

but you must
intend to return to your property within 13 weeks
and
you must not sublet your property.

You can receive Housing Benefit for up to 52 weeks if you are away from home for example because you are:

• in hospital
• in custody or on remand
• in fear of violence
• receiving care in a residential care home (but not if you are there on a trial basis).

but you must
intend to return to your property within 52 weeks
and
you must not sublet your property.

If you go into residential care on a trial basis to see if it suits you, you can receive Housing Benefit for up to 13 weeks but you must intend to return to your property within 52 weeks and you must not sublet your property.

You should tell the Benefit Office straight away by using the form available for download.

Temporary Absence from Home

Or you can phone us on 01727 866100, we will ask you to confirm the details in writing.

Or you can visit the Benefit Help Desk at the Council offices.

We will need to know:

• the reason why you are away,
• how long you will be away for,
• if you intend to return to your home,
• if you have sublet your property and
• if your income or capital will change while you are away from home.

We will then be able to tell you if you are entitled to benefit while you are away from home.

In certain cases it may be necessary for you to complete a new form to cover your absence from home.

You can receive Housing and Council Tax benefit for up to 52 weeks providing you intend to return to your home when you leave hospital.

If you have a partner who normally lives with you Housing and Council tax benefit will continue to be paid in their name.

If you decide not to return to your home you should let us know immediately at the Benefit Office. We will stop paying you benefit from the Monday following the date you decide not to return home.

For example, if you decide on a Tuesday that you do not want to return to your home we have to stop your benefit from the following Monday.