How long can I stay out of the UK?

[derek55]

Can anyone help with some straightforward advice. I am getting IB & DLA at the higher rate & will never be able to work again. I have a holiday home in France & I am finding it hard to get a direct answer as to how long I can spend there without it affecting my benefit.
Does anyone know how many consecutive weeks I can spend in France. Also, to break the weeks up do I have to return to the UK or can I simply go to another EU country and have my passport stamped (e.g. Spain or Belgium)? I was told this by someone but it seems unlikely to me. PLEASE don't suggest the DWP website as I have checked this & find it typical government mumbo jumbo with no direct answers to anything!! Any advice or past experience would be most welcome.

[bednobs]

why dont you try calling the dla line 08457 123456 ( i think) and ask them

[ugly_bob]

going to another EU country won't work either - they don't stamp passports.
For some reason 13 weeks is in the back of my mind, but I've got absolutely no evidence to back it up.

[derek55]

thanks for the replies, have been intouch with dla and they give me some info, so thanks bednobs, i have heard 91 days from somewhere but like you, ugly_bob, i can not confirm this, i have sent an email to imigration to see it they can give me an answer, as it just my be the residency issue and not my benifits.

[johnlsmith7]

I know this question is old but did you ever get a stright answer to your question ?

I would be interested to know the answer,

Thanks,

John