Canarian Weekly
26-10-2012, 10:30
WITH the usual heatwaves hitting Spain- and especially Tenerife – this summer, many expat residents will have chosen to return to theUKduring July and August to escape the high temperatures.
Now that autumn is here, however, many are beginning to come back to enjoy the milder weather, especially on the mainland.
Some may be intending to spend the entire winter there, while others may stay just a few weeks or months.
But however long your stay, the British Embassy inMadridhas issued a warning about the important of notifying the office which pays yourUKbenefit before you go abroad, even for a short time.
In fact, any change in your circumstances, such as moving in with a partner, starting work, or even moving house, should be reported immediately to the relevant authority paying your benefit or pension.
Spending time out of theUK, whether for a holiday or to live, doesn’t necessarily mean your benefits will be affected. But if you go abroad even for just a few weeks, failing to notify your local benefit office could be considered an offence.
It could lead to prosecution, imprisonment and even the confiscation of your home and possessions.
More information on UK benefits in general, and on which ones can and cannot be received while living in Spain, can be found at www.gov.uk.
And if you suspect someone you know of committing UK benefit fraud while living in Spain – taking public money that should be destined for others more needy than themselves – please call the free and confidential Benefit Fraud Hotline in Spain on 900 554 440.
Or you may wish to fill in the online form at www.dwp.gov.uk/benefit-thieves-spain .
With your help, investigators can close the net on benefit thieves.
For more information about living inSpainor the Canaries, go to www.ukinspain.fco.gov.uk
More... (http://www.canarianweekly.com/uk-benefits-office-planning-sunshine-winter/)
Now that autumn is here, however, many are beginning to come back to enjoy the milder weather, especially on the mainland.
Some may be intending to spend the entire winter there, while others may stay just a few weeks or months.
But however long your stay, the British Embassy inMadridhas issued a warning about the important of notifying the office which pays yourUKbenefit before you go abroad, even for a short time.
In fact, any change in your circumstances, such as moving in with a partner, starting work, or even moving house, should be reported immediately to the relevant authority paying your benefit or pension.
Spending time out of theUK, whether for a holiday or to live, doesn’t necessarily mean your benefits will be affected. But if you go abroad even for just a few weeks, failing to notify your local benefit office could be considered an offence.
It could lead to prosecution, imprisonment and even the confiscation of your home and possessions.
More information on UK benefits in general, and on which ones can and cannot be received while living in Spain, can be found at www.gov.uk.
And if you suspect someone you know of committing UK benefit fraud while living in Spain – taking public money that should be destined for others more needy than themselves – please call the free and confidential Benefit Fraud Hotline in Spain on 900 554 440.
Or you may wish to fill in the online form at www.dwp.gov.uk/benefit-thieves-spain .
With your help, investigators can close the net on benefit thieves.
For more information about living inSpainor the Canaries, go to www.ukinspain.fco.gov.uk
More... (http://www.canarianweekly.com/uk-benefits-office-planning-sunshine-winter/)