Question

For my Universal Credit moms - I need advice in relation to my UC claim. I’m having family and personal problems back home and will probably have to travel more than I would like to in the near future. I know we can’t be away for more than 28 days otherwise they close our claim. But what happens let’s say, if I’m away for 2/3 weeks then come back, and then after a few weeks need to go back home again for another couple of weeks or so? Will this lead me to be sanctioned or will affect my claim? Also, do I need to tell them every single time I’m away even if it’s less than 28 days? Or how does it work? Never been on benefits before and haven’t travelled in 3 years so I’m very unsure. Also, I’m about to be unemployed because I’ve resigned due to no suitable childcare, I’ve told them this. I’ve heard from some friends I won’t be expected to look for work until LO turns 3, but I’ll be having appointments to prepare for work etc. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance

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I’m on UC and the only time I got asked to go in for a face to face appointment was when I started claim and to show evidence of baby’s birth. I don’t have any follow up appointments and any issues I have or if they need me to upload evidence is done through the UC portal. Sorry but I’m just confused why you’d need to inform them of your whereabouts. And regarding the back to work chats I’m sure that’s after 2 years after giving birth but could be wrong

@T.🤍 I don’t have appointments either and haven’t had since I started my claim, but I believe they start arranging appointments to “prepare for work” once baby turns one. They won’t make you work until they’re 3 tho, at least it is on the government’s website. I know it baffles me why I should tell them abt my whereabouts but apparently there’s a rule where you can’t be away for more than 28 days straight or they’ll close ur claim. My question is, what if you’re away for less than 28 days but to more than once if that makes sense? I’m concerned bc even if I don’t want to let them know I’m going, they have this review thing going on where they ask for 4 months bank statements and unless I’d only be using cash they could see on the statements that I was abroad? I’m just very concerned as I don’t want my claim to close and don’t wanna be abused of fraud but there’s problems I can’t control I will have to be away a few times

Acused *

I’d call them and let them know about your situation they are understanding and they’ll be able to clear up any of your questions. They helped me a lot regarding tenancy issues and housing help they just asked me to go in to prove a few things

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