Universal credit housing element when away from home

You can get the housing element of universal credit for up to 6 months if you are away from home.

You need to

• plan to return within 6 months

• stay in England, Scotland or Wales

You can usually be away for any reason.

You cannot usually get the housing element if you are away for longer than 6 months.

You do not have to pay the money back if you expected to be back within 6 months.

Away because of fear of violence

You can get the housing element for up to 12 months if you have to live somewhere else because of fear of violence. 

Threats or violence could be aimed at you, your partner or any dependent children.

You must:

• expect to be back within 12 months

• stay within England, Scotland or Wales

You can usually get help with housing costs at your temporary address.

If you're in prison

You cannot usually get universal credit if you are in prison. This includes time before and after a trial or sentencing.

If you got the housing element as a single person right before going to prison, you can keep getting it for up to 6 months if you expect to return home within 6 months.

This can include if you're a:

• remand prisoner waiting for a trial

• convicted prisoner waiting for sentencing

• sentenced prisoner who should return home within 6 months

The Prison Service can tell you your earliest release date.

You could get universal credit if you're likely to be released in less than 6 months on a tag.

Find out more about release on a tag from Prisoners' Families.

Moving out because of repairs

You can keep getting the housing element if you have to move out for a time because of repairs work.

But you cannot get help with rent for the place where you stay.

You can get the housing element at your temporary address if you do not have to pay rent at your normal home during repairs. For example, if your landlord agrees to a rent free period.

There's no time limit on how long you can be away for. You must intend to return when the repairs are done.

Going abroad

You can usually only get the housing element for up to 1 month if you go abroad. You must plan to return within a month. 

Going abroad means leaving England, Scotland and Wales. Travel to Northern Ireland, the Channel Islands or Isle of Man counts as going abroad. 

Death of a close relative

You could be away for up to 2 months if you're abroad because of the death of a relative.

This includes a: 

• partner

• children, step children and their partners

• parents, step parents or in laws

• brothers, sisters or their partners

Let your work coach know if you need to be away for more than a month. For example, because of a funeral or a mourning period. 

You only get the housing element for up to 2 months if the DWP agrees.

Medical treatment abroad

You can get the housing element for up to 6 months if you need to travel abroad because you, your partner or child needs medical treatment or care there.

You must expect to return home within 6 months.

If household members are away temporarily

You can usually claim the housing element for people in your household who are away for a short time.

They must plan to return within:

• 6 months if they're in England, Scotland or Wales

• 1 month if they go abroad - this includes Northern Ireland, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man

Serving in the forces

You can claim for a child or step child if they live with you but are away on operations with the army.

They must plan to return to live with you.

How to count a short absence

An absence starts on the day you leave your home. It usually ends if you return home for at least 24 hours. 

If you go away again, a new absence period starts.