HC Deb 16 May 1986 vol 97 cc581-3W
Ms. Richardson

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will set out for each social security benefit

Benefit In the United Kingdom Abroad
Sickness Benefit and Invalidity Benefit No restriction Persons who have been incapacitated for at least 6 months may receive Benefit, during temporary
Severe Disablement allowance No restriction absence, normally not exceeding three months.
Maternity Allowance No restriction Not payable
Maternity Grant No restriction Not payable
Unemployment Benefit Payable subject to continued availability for employment. Not normally more than two weeks Not payable
Industrial Injuries Benefits No restriction No restriction
Attendance Allowance No restriction Not more than 26 continuous weeks
Invalid Care Allowance No restriction if still caring for a person receiving Attendance Allowance for Constant Attendance Allowance, otherwise not more than four weeks Not more than four weeks, except when absence is for purpose of caring for a person receiving Attendance Allowance or Constant Attendance Allowance while absent. In such cases ICA is payable for the period of absence.
Mobility Allowance No restriction Not more than 26 weeks
Retirement Pension and Widows Pension No restriction No restriction
Christmas Bonus I refer the hon. Member to my reply to her on 15 May at column 530. As for United Kingdom
Child Benefit and One Parent Benefit No restriction Not more than eight weeks
Child's Special Allowance and Guardian's Allowance No restriction Normally not more than eight weeks
Family Income Supplement No restriction No restriction
Supplementary Benefit 1. For recipients who are required to be available for work, the rules are the same as those for Unemployment Benefit. 1. Benefit is not payable for recipients who are required to be available for work.
2. For other recipients there is no restriction but benefit may be reviewed after 13 weeks. 2. For other recipients benefit is payable for not more than four weeks, except for some recipients claiming because of sickness or disability. These are entitled to benefit only if they have been sick or disabled for six months before departure or are going for the specific purpose of being treated for their illness or incapacity.
Housing Benefit Standard Housing Benefit is payable for up to one year. Certificated Housing Benefit will cease when payment of the qualifying Supplementary Benefit ceases, and will normally be followed by Standard Housing Benefit. The claimant must intend to return and live in the home and must not let or sub-let it. Housing Benefit is payable for up to one year under the same conditions as in the United Kingdom.

the rules governing recipients who wish to take a holiday (a) in the United Kingdom and (b) abroad, stating in each case the period for which the benefit may continue to be drawn.

Mr. Major

Legislation does not specifically provide for holidays, but temporary absence from home is permitted as follows.

Note: There are provisions in European Community legislation which permit payment of benefits to EC nationals who go temporarily to another EC country, but as those are designed primarily for persons moving between member countries in connection with their work they would not normally apply to persons going on holiday. Similar provisions which exist in Reciprocal Agreements with a number of countries would again not normally apply to holiday absences.