IS20 - A guide to Income Support

Who can get Income Support?

People who are going abroad temporarily

The purpose of Income Support payments is to meet needs in Great Britain. However, some people who get Income Support can continue to get it:

• for the first 4 weeks of a temporary absence abroad
• or for 8 weeks if going abroad for a dependant’s medical treatment. [Legislation (16)]
• or when undergoing National Health Service (NHS) funded medical treatment abroad for the duration of the treatment.

To qualify for Income Support during the first 4 weeks of absence you must continue to satisfy the usual conditions of entitlement and the absence must be unlikely to exceed 52 weeks. In addition you must:

• continue to fall within one or more of the categories entitled to Income Support. People who are in education, or from abroad or affected by a trade dispute or appealing against a decision that they are capable of work or who are incapable of work other than in the circumstances described below, are excluded from this
• or be incapable of work and the sole purpose of your absence is to receive medical treatment for that incapacity
• or have a partner who is going abroad with you and for whom you get one of the three pensioner premiums or a disability premium
• or on the day the absence began, have been incapable of work for 365 days (or 196 days in case of a terminal illness).

If you get the Income Support for the first four weeks of your absence but are away for longer, your partner, if you have one, may be able to claim, but will not be entitled if you are in remunerative work. Payment of any expenses you incur outside Great Britain will not be covered by Income Support.

To qualify for Income Support during the first 8 weeks of absence, the absence should also be for less than 52 weeks and the normal conditions of entitlement must be satisfied. Also you, or you and a member of your family must be accompanying a dependant solely for that dependant’s medical treatment abroad by an appropriately qualified person.

In certain circumstances you may qualify for Income Support when undergoing NHS funded medical treatment abroad. For more information contact your local office.

Any payment of Income Support will not be sent abroad. If your payments are made directly into an account they can continue to be paid as long as your entitlement continues whilst you are abroad.  If you are paid by cheque, payments will usually be made upon your return to Great Britain.

A temporary visit to Northern Ireland

If you are making a temporary visit to Northern Ireland, the rules are slightly different. You will get Income Support for the first 4 weeks of your absence if:

• you are getting Income Support before you go
• and you continue to satisfy the usual entitlement rules.

If your partner stays in Great Britain

If you have a partner and they stay in Great Britain during your temporary absence abroad, they may be able to get benefit. If your partner is eligible for benefit, they can claim Income Support for you both. As long as you satisfy the rules this will be at the rate for couples. After that time, money will not be paid for the absent partner. [Legislation (17)]

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