Housing Benefit : Being absent for more than a month. What are the consequences?

[Szandor]

Hi. I'm going abroad to look for work but I'm receiving housing benefit and unable to afford to pay my rent without the benefit. However, I need to go abroad to seek work and could be away for an indeterminate period. What is the worst case scenario for this? Shall I be made to pay it back in instalments or be taken to court for fraud or worse still be taken to court and be made homeless? ... or all three? My landlords and HB/Council Tax etc are all under Westminster City Council. I am 72 and feel imprisoned in my own home ! Would it be better if I just abandoned my home and walked away and became homeless thus avoiding any hassle and persecution by the authorities?

[islandgirl]

Why not look for work in London? There are record job vacancies at the moment.

[Szandor]

That's not the point ! I want to set up a company in Vietnam but also have a home to return to if it goes pear shaped.

[Szandor]

I know what all the rules are pertaining to being absent from home whilst claiming housing benefit. My question is how the authorities will treat me when i break those rules. Think of me as Boris Johnson! Will they forgive me? Fine me? Make me homeless? demand a refund? I'm trying to do a risk assessment.

[islandgirl]

Have you asked the question of those who oversee your benefits? The difference is whatever your political view a fixed penalty notice is not a criminal offence. Fraud is.

This is a different council but looks like good advice. It seems that 4 weeks away is the max and even then the authorities will want to know what you are doing and how you paid for the trip. It does not seem that absence for work purposes is allowable: https://www.eden.gov.uk/council-tax-...nce-from-home/

I suspect if you went to Vietnam and continued to claim benefits you would be potentially prosecuted for fraud (and would probably lose the address). If you have enough money to set up a company in Vietnam why not buy a small flat in a cheap area of the country as your insurance policy?