If you have to be away from home we could still pay your housing and council tax benefit for 13 or 52 weeks, depending on why you are away.

If you know you are going to be away from home you must let us know:

• the reason you are going away
• how long you will be away for
• that you intend to return.
• if your income/savings change while you are away

You must tell us straight away if you no longer intend to return home.

We can continue to pay your benefits for 13 weeks if you are:

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

However, you must intend to return home within 13 weeks and not sublet your home.

We can continue to pay your benefits for up to 52 weeks if you are:

• in hospital
• in custody/on remand (as soon as you are sentenced you will assessed under the 13 week rule)
• absent through a fear of violence
• receiving care in a residential home 

However, you must intend to return home within the 52 weeks and not sublet your home.

Trialling residential care

If you are thinking about going to live in a residential care home, we can continue to pay your benefits for 13 weeks whilst you decide whether you like it or not. As soon as you decide you will not be returning home, you must tell us and your claim will be cancelled, usually from the date you no longer intend to return home. Please call us on 443210 for further information about paying for your period of notice.