Temporary absence rules for benefit claims

The temporary absence rules set out when you can be away from home without losing benefit.

If any of the situations in the rules apply, you can keep claiming Housing Benefit, Council Tax Support, or both, for the time shown.

If a person who normally lives with you is away for any of the reasons given, you can count them as still needing a bedroom. But we might also need to take account of any income they have.

If you require any further information – contact the benefits team.

Reasons for temporary absence and time allowed.

Reasons for temporary absence and time allowed
Reason for absence	Time allowed for temporary absence within Great Britain	Time allowed for temporary absence outside Great Britain
Claimant absent in connection with the death of a partner	13 weeks	Up to 8 weeks
Claimant or partner absent in connection with the death of a child or qualifying young person normally living with the claimant	13 weeks	Up to 8 weeks
Claimant or partner absent in connection with the death of a close relative of the claimant, of a partner, or of a child or qualifying young person normally living with the claimant	13 weeks	Up to 8 weeks
Claimant or partner absent in order to receive medical treatment	52 weeks	26 weeks
Claimant or partner accompanying a partner, child or qualifying young person for medical treatment	52 weeks	26 weeks
The person enters residential accommodation to see if it meets their needs	13 weeks	4 weeks
The person is resident in hospital or similar institution as a patient	52 weeks	26 weeks
The claimant, partner or dependent child is undergoing medical treatment or medically approved convalescence in accommodation other than residential accommodation	52 weeks	26 weeks
The person is providing medically approved care to another person	52 weeks	4 weeks
The person is caring for a child whose parent is temporarily absent because they are in hospital or similar	52 weeks	4 weeks
The person is receiving temporary care in residential accommodation that is not on a trial basis	52 weeks	4 weeks
The person has left their home through fear of violence there	52 weeks	26 weeks
Absence in connection with being a mariner or continental-shelf worker	13 weeks	26 weeks
Absence in connection with being a share fisherman	13 weeks	4 weeks
The person is a student or is undertaking a training course	52 weeks	4 weeks
Members of Her Majesty’s Armed Forces	13 weeks	26 weeks
The person is in Northern Ireland, the Isle of Man or the Channel Islands	-	4 weeks
Claimant or partner temporarily absent for any other reason	13 weeks	4 weeks

Page last reviewed: 27 February 2024

Temporary absence rules for benefit claims

Reasons for temporary absence and time allowed.

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