Benefits - In England

This information applies to England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland

As a general rule, you won't get all the benefits you could get if you were living in the UK. So you will need to check with your benefits office which benefits you can claim when you go. This may depend on how long you will be abroad and also what country you are going to. You must let your benefits office know:

• that you are going abroad
• where you are going
• if it's only a temporary move, the date you are planning to come back.

You may be able to carry on getting some benefits while you are abroad. For example, if you're retiring abroad, you can continue to get your UK State Retirement Pension. However, if your stay there is permanent, you will only get yearly increases in your pension if you are moving to country in the European Economic Area (EEA) or a country which has a special arrangement with the UK. For more information, contact the Pension Service on: 0191 218 7777.

For a list of countries in the EEA, see What benefits can workers get if they come to the UK from abroad.

You may be also able to carry on getting the care part of Disability Living Allowance, Attendance Allowance and Carer's Allowance if you move to another EEA country. For more information, contact your local Jobcentre Plus office or local benefits office.

For a list of countries in the EEA, see What benefits can workers get if they come to the UK from abroad.

You may be able to continue getting some other benefits if you go away for a temporary period. For example, you may be able to get contribution-based Jobseeker's Allowance for a temporary period if you go to live in an EEA country. You must meet certain conditions. You can't get income-based Jobseeker's Allowance if you move abroad.

For more information about benefits abroad, visit the directgov website at at: www.direct.gov.uk. or contact your local Jobcentre Plus office or local benefits office.

In Northern Ireland for more information about benefits abroad, visit the nidirect website at: www.nidirect.gov.uk. or contact your local Social Security or Jobs and Benefits Office.

The Department for Work and Pensions website also has a useful guide to benefits in the EEA. Go to www.dwp.gov.uk.

The rules about claiming benefits abroad are very complicated and you should get help from an experienced adviser, for example, at a Citizens Advice Bureau. To search for details of your nearest CAB, including those that can give advice by email, click on nearest CAB.

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Other Frequently asked questions about benefits:

• What are tax credits and how can I get them?
• I have just lost my job. What benefits am I entitled to?
• I am pregnant and on benefits. What help can I get for my baby and myself?
• I have just left my home and all my belongings to escape my violent partner.  Can I get any financial help?
• My neighbour has just come out of hospital.  He's retired and seems to be finding it difficult to cope.  Is there any help available for him?
• I am on Income Support and would like to go back to work, but I'm worried about being able to make ends meet if I come off benefits. Can I get any extra help towards living expenses?
• I receive a pension and have heard that I may be entitled to some other benefits.  Where can I get more information?
• My wife has recently died.  I have three children and have had to give up work.  Can we get any benefits?
• I've recently had a baby and have heard that the government has set up a trust fund for children.  What are they, and how do I claim?
• What benefits can workers get if they come to the UK from abroad?
• I am too ill to go to work. Can I get any benefits?