Full list of benefits that could be STOPPED by a simple holiday mistake, including Universal Credit and PIP

THOUSANDS of people receiving benefits, including Universal Credit, should avoid a simple holiday mistake that could see their payments stopped.

It is important to inform the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) if you are travelling abroad as this may be considered a change in circumstances.

If you don’t report the change, it could mean you were paid too much and have to pay some of it back.

You may also have to pay a fine of £50 and a penalty of up to £5,000 if you are found to have committed benefit fraud.

They could also suspend your right to benefits altogether.

There are limits on how long you can stay abroad and still receive your benefits.

But the criteria depend on the specific benefit you are receiving.

Here is the full list of eight benefits that you may need to report if your circumstances change if you are traveling this summer:

Here you will find everything you need to know.

Universal Credit

If you receive Universal Credit, you can stay abroad for a month and continue receiving payments.

You still need to notify your job coach that you are leaving and you must continue to comply with the conditions of your claim.

For example, if you are in the intensive work group and have to spend a minimum number of hours per week looking for work, you will have to continue doing so.

However, there are exceptions to the one-month rule, such as if a “close relative” dies while you are abroad and it is not considered reasonable for you to return to the UK.

In the meantime, you can continue to claim Universal Credit for up to six months if you have travelled abroad for medical treatment.

You can report that you are going on holiday by logging in through your Universal Credit account.

Unemployment benefit

If you receive JSA, you can travel abroad for up to two weeks and still receive the benefit, but you must inform the DWP.

You must also be actively looking for work during this two-week period.

If you are absent for an extended period of time, your JSA may be interrupted.

You can inform the Government that you are travelling by calling the JSA Helpline on 0800 169 0310.

You can also write to the Jobcentre Plus office that pays you JSA. You can find the nearest office using their online branch locator.

PIP and DLA

You must inform the DWP if you are receiving Personal Independence Payments (PIP) or Disability Allowance (DLA) and will be away for more than four weeks.

You must inform the Government of the date you will leave the country, how long you will be away and which country you plan to visit.

You must also inform the DWP why you plan to travel abroad.

You can call the Disability Services Centre on 0800 121 4433 to tell them you are going to be absent from work if you are receiving PIP or DLA.

Carer’s Allowance

If you receive Carer’s Allowance, you can be away for up to four weeks during a six-month period and still receive the benefit.

But you still have to report it or you risk having to pay back the money you are owed or pay a fine.

You can report your absence via the Government website or by calling the Carers’ Allowance Unit on 0800 731 0297.

Tax credits

You must inform HMRC if you receive tax credits and plan to travel abroad for eight weeks or more.

You must report any changes within one month.

You can do this by contacting HMRC online or through their app, or by calling 0345 300 3900.

Pension credit

You can claim Pension Credit for up to four weeks if you are abroad.

This is extended to eight weeks if the absence is due to the death of a partner or a child.

You can report a change of circumstances via the Government website or by calling the Pension Credit Helpline on 0800 731 0469.

Housing benefit

You can usually only continue to claim Housing Benefit for a maximum of four weeks if you are travelling abroad.

As with Pension Credit, you can continue to receive it for eight weeks if you have to travel abroad because a close relative has died.

You should contact the Benefits Service on 020 7364 5000 regarding any change in circumstances.

You can also do this via your local council’s website. You can find your local council using the Government’s online locator tool.

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