Long Term Travel on Incapacity Benefit Forums

thegreatpan

SWMBO was diagnosed with MS quite a few years ago and receives Incapacity Benefit, Highest Rate Mobility allowance and middle rate personal care. Although not in wheelchair she is now unable to walk very far without resting.

Could anyone please advise what are the rules regarding benefits and trips abroad, especially as we might want to take an extended trip to Europe on my retirement in November. Would she still receive the benefits on such an extended trip. ( 2-3 months)?

Also would we be able to get the VAT free new/secondhand vehicle purchase?

greenasthegrass

Will you still have a residence in the UK?

TUCANO

Last year we travelled abroad for nine weeks, the doctors were aware of what we were doing but we did not inform the government agencies.
We were receiving Incapacity benefit and lower rate Attendance and Mobility allowance for my wife.
We were using a forwarding address, our own property at the time was being let.
I believe that you are VAT exempt only on new vehicles, because my wife was ONLY on the lower rate mobility we did not qualify !!
Hope this helps,
Norman

whistlinggypsy

There are NO exceptions to the rules, anyone leaving the UK for more that 4 weeks HAS to inform the relevant gov. depts.

You can go for up too 26 weeks but you MUST inform them and leave contact Nos./address and provide a return date to your main residence.

You cannot leave a forwarding address at its against the law for the post office to redirect benefit mail (its due to stopping fraud they say), thats where a lot of people who think they are being clever fall foul of the rules and regulations and find their benefits stopped when they return home.

Bob

TUCANO

Have to say I did none of that, couldn't give a damn about the government and their rules.
My wifes enjoyment, and the time we had left together were the deciding factors in my case.
After spending months filling in stupid forms we just bought the van and left the country. Should they have decided to lock me up and throw away the key, brilliant, accommodation food and heating for free, what did I care.
All on my ownesome now,
Norman

whistlinggypsy

Norman, i can see what you are saying and i sympathise with your situation, but that was not the question asked in the post, and that was the question i answered to the best of my knowledge.

Also there was a post very recently i think by Peter of JCM or at least he provide info. on the subject of vat free m/hs, a search will reveal the post for those interested.

Bob

maggielou

Sorry about your wife Norman.. sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do and as long as you are prepared to accept any consequences and its hurting no-one else then its probably the right thing for you.

Sound like you enjoyed that time so now its a precious memory.

cheers

M

TUCANO

Bob, whistlinggypsy,
I stand corrected, answered the question emotionally. At the time of our travels I was rather fed up with rules, regulations and the Government in general.
Come to think of it I still am Laughing

Regards,
Norman

COLIN_TEC580

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