Where you can claim benefits

European Economic Area ( EEA ) countries If you’re living in or planning to go to an EEA country or Switzerland you may be able to get some UK benefits. Find out if you can get benefits in the EEA or Switzerland . Other countries with UK benefits arrangements The following countries have social security agreements with the UK: Barbados Bermuda Bosnia and Herzegovina Canada Channel Islands Gibraltar Israel Jamaica Kosovo Mauritius Montenegro New Zealand North Macedonia the Philippines Serbia Turkey USA You may be able to claim certain benefits in these countries but it will depend on the particular country.

If you go abroad, you can continue to get Universal Credit for one month. You must: be eligible for Universal Credit when you’re going abroad remain eligible for it while you’re abroad tell your work coach that you’re going If a close relative dies while you’re abroad and it would not be reasonable for you to come back to the UK, you can get Universal Credit for one more month. You cannot get Universal Credit if you’re moving abroad permanently. You cannot apply for Universal Credit if you’re already abroad. Going abroad for medical treatment You can continue to get Universal Credit for up to 6 months if: you go abroad for medical treatment you go abroad for a period of recovery that’s been approved by a medical professional (also known as ‘approved convalescence’) your partner or child is going abroad for medical treatment or ‘approved convalescence’ and you’re going with them If you’re a civil servant, diplomat or member of the armed forces There are different rules for claiming Universal Credit while abroad if you’re a civil servant, diplomat or a member of the armed forces. You may be able to make a claim or keep getting Universal Credit while you’re abroad if: you’re abroad due to work duties, for example posted abroad in the armed forces the UK was your main home immediately before you were sent abroad (you were ‘habitually resident’ in the UK) You need to tell your work coach before you go abroad. They’ll tell you which things from your ‘claimant commitment’ you need to keep doing while you’re abroad. If you’re a mariner or continental shelf worker If you’re entitled to Universal Credit when you go abroad, you can continue to get it for up to 6 months.

Jobseeker's Allowance

There are 2 different types of Jobseeker’s Allowance ( JSA ): New Style JSA income-based JSA You cannot get income-based JSA abroad. You may get New Style JSA in the European Economic Area ( EEA ) or Switzerland for up to 3 months if you: are entitled to it on the day you go abroad register as a jobseeker at least 4 weeks before you leave are looking for work in the UK up to the day you leave are going abroad to look for work register at the equivalent of a Jobcentre in the country you’re going to follow the other country’s rules on registering and looking for work are covered by the Withdrawal Agreement Find out if you can get JSA in the EEA or Switzerland . Moving to a country not in the EEA Some countries outside the EEA have social security agreements with the UK. This means that if you’ve paid enough National Insurance contributions in the UK, you may be able to get unemployment benefits in: Bosnia and Herzegovina Channel Islands Kosovo Macedonia Montenegro New Zealand Serbia Help and advice on JSA International Pension Centre Telephone +44 (0) 191 206 9390 British Sign Language (BSL) video relay service if you’re on a computer - find out how to use the service on mobile or tablet Monday to Friday, 9.30am to 3.30pm Find out about call charges

Maternity and childcare benefits

Statutory Maternity Pay ( SMP ) If you work for a UK employer in the European Economic Area ( EEA ) or Switzerland , you may get SMP as long as you’re eligible for it . Find out if you can get Statutory Maternity Pay in the EEA or Switzerland . If you work in a different country, you can still get SMP as long as your employer pays UK National Insurance contributions for you. Talk to your employer about claiming SMP . Maternity Allowance If you cannot get SMP , you might be eligible for Maternity Allowance . If you’re eligible, you may get Maternity Allowance in an EEA country or Switzerland. Find out if you can get Maternity Allowance in the EEA or Switzerland . You may also be able to claim it in: Barbados Bosnia and Herzegovina Channel Islands Gibraltar Israel Kosovo Macedonia Montenegro Serbia Turkey Ask your local Jobcentre Plus for more information. Child-related benefits You may also get the following in an EEA country or Switzerland if you’re eligible: Child Benefit tax credits Guardian’s Allowance (you can claim this if you’re getting Child Benefit for a child whose parents have both died)

Illness and injury benefits

Statutory Sick Pay ( SSP ) You can get SSP if you’re eligible for it and either of the following apply: you work for a UK employer in the European Economic Area ( EEA ) or Switzerland you work outside the EEA and your employer pays National Insurance contributions for you Contact your employer to claim SSP . Employment and Support Allowance ( ESA ) You can get ESA for up to 4 weeks if you go abroad. Talk to your local Jobcentre Plus before you go. Going abroad for more than 4 weeks but less than a year Tell your local Jobcentre Plus if you’re going abroad for more than 4 weeks. You can carry on getting contribution-based ESA for up to 26 weeks if you’re going abroad for medical treatment for yourself or your child. It does not matter which country you go to. Going abroad for more than a year You may get contribution-based ESA in the EEA or Switzerland if you: are eligible for ESA have paid enough National Insurance contributions are covered by the Withdrawal Agreement Find out if you can get contribution-based ESA in the EEA or Switzerland . Help and advice on ESA International Pension Centre Telephone +44 (0) 191 206 9390 British Sign Language (BSL) video relay service if you’re on a computer - find out how to use the service on mobile or tablet Monday to Friday, 9.30am to 3.30pm Find out about call charges Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit (IIDB) If you’re getting Industrial Injuries Benefit for work-related accidents and illnesses, you can still get this abroad. Contact the office dealing with your benefit if you’re still in the UK, or the International Pension Centre if you’re living abroad. Help and advice on IIDB International Pension Centre Telephone +44 (0) 191 206 9390 British Sign Language (BSL) video relay service if you’re on a computer - find out how to use the service on mobile or tablet Monday to Friday, 9.30am to 3.30pm Find out about call charges

Benefits for disabled people and carers

What you can claim depends on: which benefit you’re claiming where you’re going and for how long Going abroad temporarily Tell the office that pays your benefit if you plan to go abroad for more than 4 weeks. You can claim the following benefits if you’re going abroad for up to 13 weeks (or 26 weeks if it’s for medical treatment): Attendance Allowance Disability Living Allowance ( DLA ) for adults Personal Independence Payment ( PIP ) You can carry on claiming Carer’s Allowance if you take up to 4 weeks holiday out of a 26-week period. Going abroad permanently to an EEA country or Switzerland You or a family member may be able to claim benefits if you: work in the UK or pay National Insurance in the UK because of work have paid enough National Insurance to qualify for contribution-based benefits are getting State Pension, Industrial Injuries Benefit, contribution-based ESA or bereavement benefits are covered by the Withdrawal Agreement If you’re eligible then you may be able to claim: Disability Living Allowance ( DLA ) for adults care component Personal Independence Payment ( PIP ) daily living part Attendance Allowance or Carer’s Allowance You cannot claim DLA for adults mobility component and PIP mobility component abroad. Find out if you can get benefits in an EEA country or Switzerland . If you already live in an EEA country or Switzerland You do not need to have claimed in the UK before you moved. But you must: be habitually resident in the EEA country or Switzerland have a genuine link with the UK, for example you’ve lived or worked in the UK be covered by the Withdrawal Agreement Find out if you can get benefits in an EEA country or Switzerland . If you have a disability If you’re eligible, you can claim the daily living part of either: Personal Independence Payment ( PIP ) Adult Disability Payment , if you have a ‘genuine and sufficient link’ to Scotland If you currently claim PIP or Disability Living Allowance ( DLA ) for adults and want to claim Adult Disability Payment instead, contact the Disability Service Centre . If you currently claim Adult Disability Payment and want to claim PIP , contact Social Security Scotland . You can also contact Social Security Scotland if you’re not sure whether you have a ‘genuine and sufficient link’ to Scotland. If you have a disabled child under 16 If your child is eligible, you can claim the care component part of either: Disability Living Allowance ( DLA ) for children Child Disability Payment , if you have a ‘genuine and sufficient link’ to Scotland If you currently claim DLA for children and want to claim Child Disability Payment instead, contact the Disability Service Centre . If you currently claim Child Disability Payment and want to claim DLA for children, contact Social Security Scotland . You can also contact Social Security Scotland if you’re not sure whether you have a ‘genuine and sufficient link’ to Scotland. Make a claim or change your details To make a claim or change any personal details, such as your address or bank account, write to the Exportability Team that deals with the benefit you are claiming. If you’re making a claim, your letter should say: what benefits you want to claim where you live Attendance Allowance Exportability Team Mail Handling Site A Wolverhampton WV98 2AD United Kingdom Disability Living Allowance Exportability Team Mail Handling Site A Wolverhampton WV98 2AD United Kingdom Personal Independence Payment 7 Exportability Team Mail Handling Site B Wolverhampton WV99 1AE United Kingdom Carer’s Allowance You can claim Carer’s Allowance or report a change of circumstances online. You can also write to the Carers Allowance Exportability Team. Mail Handling Site A Wolverhampton WV98 2AE United Kingdom Help and advice Contact the Disability Benefits Exportability Team about Disability Living Allowance ( DLA ), Attendance Allowance and Personal Independence Payment ( PIP ). team.exportability@dwp.gov.uk If you have a general enquiry about Carer’s Allowance, contact the Carer’s Allowance Unit . If you’re a British Sign Language (BSL) user, you can use the video relay service if you’re on a computer. Find out how to use the service on mobile or tablet . It’s available Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm.

You may be able to claim an annual Winter Fuel Payment if all of the following apply: you were born before 23 September 1958 you are getting a benefit paid by the UK, for example a State Pension you moved to an eligible country before 31 December 2020 and are covered by the Withdrawal Agreement you have a genuine and sufficient link to the UK - this can include having lived or worked in the UK, and having family in the UK you get a qualifying means-tested benefit from the country that you live in Find out if you’re eligible and how to claim from abroad .

If you’re already getting a bereavement benefit when you move abroad, you’ll still get it - it does not matter where you move to. You may be able to make a new claim if you live in certain countries outside the UK. European Economic Area (EEA) countries, Switzerland and Gibraltar If you live in an EEA country , Switzerland or Gibraltar, and you’re eligible, you may be able to claim the following: Bereavement Support Payment Widowed Parent’s Allowance Find out if you can get bereavement benefits in an EEA country or Switzerland . Countries outside the EEA You may also be able to claim bereavement benefits in some countries outside the EEA. Bereavement Support Payment: Barbados Bosnia and Herzegovina Channel Islands Israel Jamaica Kosovo Macedonia Montenegro New Zealand the Philippines Serbia Turkey USA Widowed Parent’s Allowance: Barbados Bermuda Bosnia and Herzegovina Channel Islands Israel Jamaica Kosovo Macedonia Mauritius Montenegro New Zealand the Philippines Serbia Turkey USA The rate and eligibility criteria may vary between countries. Help and advice on bereavement benefits International Pension Centre Telephone +44 (0) 191 206 9390 British Sign Language (BSL) video relay service if you’re on a computer - find out how to use the service on mobile or tablet Monday to Friday, 9.30am to 3.30pm Find out about call charges

Claiming benefits if you live, move or travel abroad

Overview

You may still be able to claim some benefits if you travel or move abroad, or if you’re already living abroad. What you’re entitled to depends on where you’re going and how long for.

Who to contact if you’re going abroad

Tell your local Jobcentre Plus or the office that pays your benefit if you’re going abroad. If it’s a temporary move, tell them when you’re coming back.

You must also tell HMRC if you’re leaving the UK.

Claiming when abroad

If you’re going to (or are already living in) a European Economic Area (EEA) country or a country with a special agreement with the UK, you may be able to claim:

UK-based benefits
benefits provided by the country you’re going to

You can also claim your State Pension abroad.

Claiming benefits in an EEA country or Switzerland

If you’re living in or planning to go to an EEA country or Switzerland you may be able to get some UK benefits.

Find out if you can get benefits in the EEA or Switzerland.

When you get your payment

The date you get your payment depends on which benefit you claim.

If you live abroad and your payment is due in the same week as a US federal holiday, it could arrive one day late. This is because a US company processes these payments.

Benefit fraud

You’re committing benefit fraud if you:

do not tell the office that pays your benefit you’re going abroad, even if it’s just for a visit
deliberately do not report a change in your circumstances while abroad, like buying a property, working, or claiming a pension or benefit from another country
are dishonest in order to get benefits, like continuing to claim the pension or benefit of someone who has died overseas

View a printable version of the whole guide

Claiming benefits if you live, move or travel abroad

Overview

Who to contact if you’re going abroad

Claiming when abroad

Claiming benefits in an EEA country or Switzerland

When you get your payment

Benefit fraud

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Claiming benefits if you live, move or travel abroad

Overview

Who to contact if you’re going abroad

Claiming when abroad

Claiming benefits in an EEA country or Switzerland

When you get your payment

Benefit fraud

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