BENEFITS ABROAD FOR CARERS: Several factors determine what you can claim for, including:
- Which type of benefit or allowance you are already claiming.
- Which particular country you are going to live in and how long you plan to stay there.
Going Overseas Temporarily
As a rule, there are some benefits you can claim if your stay abroad is not over 13 weeks.
The limit can extend to twenty six (26) weeks if the purpose of journey is for medical treatment, such as with:
You can continue to claim Carer’s Allowance if you take no more than four (4) weeks holiday out of a 26-week period. Remember to inform the office dealing with your benefit that you will be outside the United Kingdom.
Going Overseas Permanently (EEA Country or Switzerland)
If this applies to your situation, you or a family member might qualify to claim benefits if:
- You work in the United Kingdom or you pay National Insurance in the UK because of your work.
- You get the State Pension, Industrial Injuries Benefit, bereavement benefits, or contribution-based ESA.
- You have paid enough National Insurance contributions to qualify for certain contribution-based benefits.
People who meet the eligibility criteria should be able to claim:
- The care component of the Disability Living Allowance abroad.
- The living component of Personal Independence Payment.
- Attendance Allowance or the Carer’s Allowance.
Already Living in another EEA Country (or Switzerland)
There is no requirement for you to have already claimed in the UK before the move overseas. But, as a rule you must:
- Be ‘habitually resident’ in that country of the European Economic Area (or Switzerland).
- Have a genuine link with the social security system in the United Kingdom. Typical examples could include circumstances where you once lived or used to work in the UK.
Note: You cannot make a claim for the Disability Living Allowance mobility component abroad. The same applies with the mobility component of claiming PIP and going abroad (Personal Independence Payment).
Making a Claim or Changing Your Details
When claiming these types of benefits abroad you must write to the Exportability Team Co-ordinator. The same applies to change any of your personal details (e.g. home address or bank account). The department deals with:
- Attendance Allowance
- Carer’s Allowance
- Personal Independence Payment
- The care component of Disability Living Allowance
Note: The claim letter should inform them what particular benefits you are claiming for and which country you live in.
Exportability Co-ordinator
Room B215
Pension, Disability and Carers Service
Warbreck House
Warbreck Hill Road
Blackpool
FY2 0YE
United Kingdom
ALSO IN THIS SECTION
Claiming Benefits Abroad: Check the rules for going abroad while on benefits and how to claim.
Countries You Can Claim Benefits: A list of countries that have special arrangements with the UK.
Jobseeker’s Allowance Abroad: See if you qualify for contribution-based JSA overseas payments.
Maternity and Childcare Benefits Abroad: Learn how to get SMP and Maternity Allowance overseas.
Illness and Injury Benefits Abroad: Find out how to claim SSP, ESA, and IIDB overseas of the UK.
Bereavement Benefits Abroad: How moving to, or living in, another country affects these payments.
Further Help and Advice
The Disability Benefits Exportability Team deal with Attendance Allowance, Disability Living Allowance (DLA), and the Personal Independence Payment (PIP). The Carer’s Allowance Exportability Team deal with Carer’s Allowance.