Universal Credit (UC) claimants who go on holiday for too long risk losing out on payments. UC is a payment from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) for people on a low income, out of work, or unable to work, to help with living costs.

Payments are made monthly, or twice a month for some people in Scotland, the UK Government website explains. From Monday, April 6, 2026, the standard rate saw an above-inflation boost as part of an overhaul of the benefits system. The basic rate for single people aged 25 and over rose from £400.14 a month to £424.90 per month.

This cohort has the largest share of claimants, and payments amount to approximately £5,098.98 over a 12-month period. For couples, the rates have risen from £497.55 to £528.34 for those under 25, and from £628.10 to £666.97 for over-25s.

From Monday, UC’s standard allowance was also increased from £316.98 per month to £338.58 for a single person aged under 25.

There are various rules associated with the benefit, including how long you’re allowed to leave the country while continuing to claim it.

The UK Government explains that if UC recipients go abroad, they continue to get it for one month, provided:

• They are eligible for Universal Credit when going abroad
• They remain eligible for it while abroad
• They inform their work coach that they’re going

This can be extended if there are mitigating circumstances, with the GOV.UK website clarifying that if a close relative dies while claimants are abroad and it would not be reasonable to return to the UK, they can continue to get UC for one more month.

UC payments will stop if you move abroad permanently, and you can’t apply for it if you’re already overseas. However, you can continue to get payments for up to six months if you go abroad:

• for medical treatment
• approved convalescence, the name given for a period of recovery after treatment in England, Scotland or Wales
• to care for your partner or child who is getting medical treatment or going for a period of recovery

Any medical treatment you cite to justify this must be carried out by a qualified medical professional.

You can remain in the country where the medical treatment took place to recover or care for your partner or child.

Those travelling abroad specifically for a period of recovery must have this signed off by a medical professional in the UK.

Claimants are told to contact Universal Credit as soon as they know they’re going abroad. Different rules about claiming while out of the country apply to civil servants, diplomats, members of the armed forces, mariners or continental shelf workers.

You can check the rules in full on the UK Government website.

In a change the Government argues will remove incentives that “discourage work and trap people on benefits” the Universal Credit “Health Element” is being markedly reduced for millions of Britons, though existing claimants are protected. You can find out more here.