Temporary absence from home

Temporary absence from home or Great Britain

You are usually only entitled to housing benefit whilst you live in your home. However, there are limited circumstances where you may continue to qualify for housing benefit - or the same amount of housing benefit - if you or a person in your household is temporarily absent.

There are different rules for absences within Great Britain and absences from Great Britain. Each type of absence is subject to its own specific criteria and strict time-limits. You or the person who is absent must satisfy the relevant criteria to continue to qualify for housing benefit or the same amount of housing benefit during a period of temporary absence.

A period of temporary absence from home or Great Britain begins on the first day of absence. You should provide sufficient evidence and information to confirm the reasons for the absence, the date the absence began and the date the person who was absent returned home.