Temporary absence from home

Great Britain means England, Scotland and Wales. Northern Ireland, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man are not part of Great Britain.

You must tell us if you or a member of your household leave Great Britain for any reason, for example, to go on holiday. You may continue to qualify for housing benefit or the same amount of housing benefit for up to four weeks during a period of temporary absence from Great Britain but only if:

• you or the person who is absent intends to return to your home; and,
• your home or the part of your home used by that person is not let or sub-let during their absence; and,
• the period of absence from Great Britain is unlikely to exceed four weeks.

In limited circumstances the four week period can be extended by up to a further four weeks but only if:

• the absence from Great Britain is due to the bereavement of a partner, child, sibling or parent; and
• it is unreasonable to expect the absent person to return to Great Britain within four weeks.

The maximum period of absence for members of Her Majesty's armed and reserve forces who are posted overseas is 26 weeks from the first day of absence from Great Britain.