While you are away

You can usually only receive housing and council tax benefit if you live in a property as your home. However, if you plan to be away from home temporarily, we may be able to continue to pay your benefit if -

• the property is not sub-let or re-let while you are away
  
  
• you intend to return to the property within 13 weeks if you -
  • are in residential accommodation on a temporary basis
  • have been convicted and sentenced for a crime
  • are on holiday or visiting friends
    
    
• you intend to return to the property within 52 weeks if you are -
  • on remand awaiting trial
  • in hospital
  • receiving medically approved care such as a drug or alcohol rehabilitation scheme away from your home
    
    
• you do not claim housing or council tax benefit elsewhere

There are other situations where we may be able to pay benefit while you are away, please contact us for more information.

Notifying us that you are going to be away from home

You must tell us whenever you are going to be away from home, whether in the UK or abroad. We will need to know -

• the date you intend to leave
• how long you will be away
• your temporary address while you are away

You can let us know you will be away from home by downloading and completing the form below -

How long can benefit be paid

Housing and/or council tax benefit can be paid for up to 13 weeks while you are away.

If you are receiving income support or jobseekers allowance, this will stop if you go abroad. This will also mean your housing benefit and/or council tax benefit will be suspended until you contact us about your change of circumstances and income.

Report a change of circumstances

Contact us

Freepost RSJC-KKBE-ABXZ
Hull City Council Revenues and Benefits Service
PO Box 15
Hull
HU1 2AB

Tel: 01482 300 300
Text phone: 01482 300 349
Email: benefitssr@hullcc.gov.uk