DWP confirms ‘easement’ that maintains housing benefit entitlement for claimants prevented from returning to GB within permitted temporary absence periods due to COVID-19 travel restrictions

Guidance to local authorities also advises that regulations have not been amended, so rules preventing subletting and having an intention to return continue to apply

The DWP has confirmed that an easement is now in place that maintains housing benefit entitlement for claimants prevented from returning to GB within permitted temporary absence periods due to coronavirus (COVID-19) travel restrictions.

In LA Welfare Direct Bulletin 6/2020, the DWP advises that it is aware that some claimants who travelled outside Great Britain, and who expected to return within temporary absence from home periods allowed under housing benefit regulations, have been prevented from returning due to travel restrictions outside GB.

As a result, the DWP confirms that -

‘Easements are now in place which allow people to remain entitled to housing benefit where they have been temporarily prevented from returning to GB due to COVID-19 travel restrictions.

Regulation 7 of the Housing Benefit Regulations 2006 (and the Housing Benefit (persons who have attained the qualifying age for state pension credit) Regulations 2006) has not been amended. Therefore, the usual rules on not subletting and having an intention to return still continue to apply to any period of temporary absence.’

LA Welfare Direct 6/2020 is available from gov.uk