RR2 - A guide to Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit
Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit
Absences from home
There are some special situations in which you may continue to get Housing Benefit (HB) and Council Tax Benefit (CTB) and these are explained below.
Going away
You should normally let the council know if you are temporarily absent, for example if you go away on holiday. But the council may not need to know if you will be absent for only a short time (for example 2-3 weeks) and your circumstances remain unchanged. If in doubt, ask your council. [HB Reg 7, and CTB Reg 8]
If you are temporarily absent you can normally get HB/CTB for a maximum of 13 weeks as long as:
- you intend to return home
- and in your absence you will not let or sub-let the part of your home where you normally live
- and you will not be away for longer than 13 weeks.
In certain circumstances, you may be able to get HB/CTB for up to 52 weeks, for example if you are in hospital, or are held in custody on remand, provided that:
- you intend to return home
- and in your absence you will not let or sub-let the part of your home where you normally live
- and you will not be away for longer than 52 weeks.
In some cases, you may still get HB for a maximum of 52 weeks if your absence is not expected to be much more than 52 weeks. The council will let you know more about this and about the help available. [HB Reg 7, and CTB Reg 8]
In hospital
If you or a member of your family is in hospital for up to 52 weeks, your HB/CTB will not change. After 52 weeks HB/CTB will not be payable for the person in hospital. So, if the claimant is a single person HB/CTB will cease, but if the claimant is a member of a couple, the member remaining in the home can claim in their own right.