There are times when you may need to be away from home because of particular circumstances, but we may still be able to continue paying your housing and council tax benefit.
In order to carry on being paid benefit whilst you are away, you must:
- Intend to return home
- Still be liable to pay rent and council tax for the whole period you are away
- Not let or sub-let your home while you are away
Please note - if you are away from home, you must tell us straight away as soon as you know you will not be returning.
Being away for up to 13 weeks.
If you satisfy the above points, we can continue to pay your housing benefit and council tax benefit for a maximum of 13 weeks.
For example, someone who wishes to have a trial period at a care home can continue to have their benefit paid for a maximum of 13 weeks. As soon as it is clear that person will not be returning home, their benefit will stop.
Being away for up to 52 weeks
There are some people who can still get housing and council tax benefit when they are away from home for up to 52 weeks. These are as follows:
- People in prison on remand (i.e. who have not yet been sentenced)
- People who are living away from home because they have been placed in a probation hostel, bail hostel or who are bailed to live away from their normal home
- People in a care home or independent hospital (as long as they are not there on a trial basis – if that is the case, we can only pay for a maximum of 13 weeks, as explained above)
- People in hospital or who are receiving medically approved care
- People receiving medical treatment or medically approved convalescence
- People caring for a child whose parent or guardian is away from home to receive medical treatment or medically approved care
- People who have had to go elsewhere to attend a government training course
- Students eligible for housing benefit and council tax benefit who have to study abroad for part of their course
- People away from home from fear of violence (regardless of who this threat is from) or fear of violence from a former member of their family (whether this would occur in the home or elsewhere)
What if I didn’t know in advance that I was going to be away from home?
Obviously you will not always know in advance if you are going to be away from home - for example, if you go into hospital or have an accident. If this happens, please tell us as soon as you can or ask a friend, relative or hospital social worker to let us know.
You will need to tell us:
- The date you went into hospital
- The date you expect to come out of hospital
- Any changes in your income
If you are going to be away from your home for any period, please contact Shropshire Council’s Benefits Service as soon as you can. A member of staff will be happy to explain how your housing benefit and council tax benefit will be affected.
Alternatively, you can report this change online using the "Report a change in circumstances" form link on this page.