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Warning to anyone on Attendance Allowance over four week winter sun rule which could see your benefit stopped
Watch our video below to see what benefits you might qualify for
ANYONE on Attendance Allowance planning a winter sun trip away should be wary of one four week rule.
You have to tell the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) if you plan to go abroad for an extended period.
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This is classed as a change of circumstances which, if goes unreported, can see your benefit payments stopped.
You may have to pay a penalty or can even be taken to court too.
The exact rules state that you have to call the Attendance Allowance helpline if you plan to leave the country for more than four weeks.
It's worth noting, you can still claim Attendance Allowance even if you are abroad for up to 13 weeks, or up to 26 weeks if you have left the UK for medical treatment.
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The Attendance Allowance helpline is 0800 731 0122.
There are a host of other "change in circumstances" you need to report to the helpline or risk having your benefits stopped or facing a penalty. Contact the helpline if:
- the level of help you need or your condition changes - you’ll need to provide details like if the amount of times you need help each day has changed
- you go into hospital or a care home - you’ll need to provide the address, the dates you’ve been there for, and how your stay is paid for
- a medical professional has said you might have 12 months or less to live (you could get Attendance Allowance at a higher rate under ‘special rules for end of life’)
- you go into prison
- you change your name, address or bank details
- you want to stop receiving your benefit
- your doctor’s details change
- your immigration status changes, if you’re not a British citizen
The reason it's so crucial to report a change in circumstances is that it can affect your benefit entitlement, which is what you receive.
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How to make a benefit repayment
Mistakes happen, and you may forget to report a change in circumstances that means you are entitled to less of a benefit.
In this case, you would have been overpaid and will need to repay it.
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If you are still receiving a benefit, the amount you get will simply be reduced until you have covered the total overpaid amount.
You need to contact the DWP Debt Management contact centre on 0800 916 0647 if you think too much has been taken from you.
If you are no longer on benefits, you will get a letter from DWP Debt Management explaining how to repay and manage what you owe.
You can make the overpayment in full or set up regular monthly payments to spread the cost.
If you are worried about making repayments, you should contact the DWP Debt Management phone line.
It's crucial you sort any repayments in full, or repayment schedules, as otherwise your employer may be asked to make deductions from your pay.
Your case may also be passed to an independent debt collector or a member of the DWP Debt Enforcement Team.
If you are put in touch with a debt collectors, it's worth knowing your rights.
Those who are contacted by the DWP Debt Enforcement Team get a letter asking them to set up a repayment plan.
If you do not contact the team or you do not follow your repayment plan, the team will submit a claim against you to the HM Courts and Tribunal Service (HMCTS).
You'll then have to repay all the money you owe within six months or the team will apply a county court judgment.
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This will see the court charging you extra costs on top of the money you owe and you will receive a negative mark on your credit score which stays on there for up to six years.
The DWP Enforcement Team may also take further action like taking money directly from your wages.
Are you missing out on benefits?
YOU can use a benefits calculator to help check that you are not missing out on money you are entitled to
Charity works out what you could get.
Entitledto's determines whether you qualify for various benefits, tax credit and Universal Credit.
MoneySavingExpert.com and charity StepChange both have benefits tools powered by Entitledto's data.
You can use to determine which benefits you could receive and how much cash you'll have left over each month after paying for housing costs.
Your exact entitlement will only be clear when you make a claim, but calculators can indicate what you might be eligible for.
Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing [email protected].
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