Temporary absence in UC and PIP

Dear all,

I have a client who is on UC (LCWRA), couple claim.  She applied for PIP in September this year,  waiting on an outcome.

She and her husband plan to to to Portugal temporarily to see whether the better climate helps with her health conditions.  She believes that this convalescence will be approved by either her GP or specialist.

I have a few questions:
- Very obvious I know - if it is medically approved convalescence for UC purposes, would they continue to actually receive UC payments while temporarily absent?  I wasn’t entirely clear on that point from the regs (reg 11 UC regs).
- PIP regs on this don’t refer to medical convalescence specifically; reg 2 says ‘medical treatment” means medical, surgical or rehabilitative treatment (including any course or diet or other regimen)’ - can we safely assume that this would encompass medical convalescence?  in that case, a 26 week absence may also apply (reg 18 PIP regs)

Any thoughts gratefully received.

EKS.