Might have the chance of going to Australia next year for 7 weeks .. Has anyone had a holiday more that 4 weeks abroad and informed the DWP.. Also on ESA. Would love to go and see my sister but I'm unsure if it would have an effect on my PIP and ESA..
Hope some can help on this
Dave
I understood you could be committing fraud if you did not inform them. Also I thought that you could only claim ESA for a maximum of four weeks while abroad. I may be wrong of course!
Piglette is correct. The rules state:
Tell your local Jobcentre Plus if you’re going abroad for more than 4 weeks.
You can carry on getting contribution-based ESA for up to 26 weeks if you’re going abroad for medical treatment for yourself or your child.
It doesn’t matter which country you go to.
You can claim the following benefits if you’re going abroad for up to 13 weeks (or 26 weeks if it’s for medical treatment):
* Attendance Allowance
* Disability Living Allowance
* Personal Independence Payment
You can carry on claiming Carer’s Allowance if you take up to 4 weeks holiday out of a 26-week period.
The reality is the DWP do monitor forums, Facebook and other social media networks when investigating claims or people they suspect of fraud. One member was turned down for PIP because she'd been able to travel to Australia and another had her Facebook usage thrown against her as evidence that she was more active than she claimed to be. I'm sure both appealed but I'm unaware of the outcomes.
What ever you choose to do, I'd suggest not to make it public as George Orwell wasn't totally wrong.
Thought this might be the case Martin.. Seems like the decision to go might not be the best in view of my PIP and ESA.. Thanks for your reply.
I know of someone in your circumstances who went away for two months and just didn't tell them. Someone monitored their post in case of potential appointments or form filling and nothing came if it.
Life's too short! 
After a couple of close calls with our maker your are right there Martin
Your PIP is uneffected and 3 out of the 7 weeks of ESA won't be payable (if I'm reading this correctly).
I wouldn't turn down a holiday of a lifetime for missing out on 3 weeks of ESA.
Just tell DWP, then you can have a relaxing 7 week holiday in Australia without worrying about fraud. 3 weeks ESA is such a small loss compared to the gains.
Life IS too short to miss out on this type of holiday.
Continue PIP FORM
Eye surgery on steroids/methotrexate
Wegeners and pip
Bladder pain while taking cyclophosmide.
