is there a duty to notify DWP of absence abroad if it is under 4 weeks?

It says on Adviser Net “A client who is going abroad should inform her/his local Jobcentre Plus office of the details of her/his visit. A client who is going abroad should inform her/his local Jobcentre Plus office of the details of her/his visit.”

Obviously this is common sense as it avoids all the problems that occur if JC+ writes to a client and expects a response within a certain time, unaware that they are out of the country.

But I have not found any legislation that says so, I looked at IS reg 4 which does not mention notification, and all the clients I had who had gone abroad without notificationand had some problems eventually ended up with getting their 4 weeks benefit.

I just wanted to clarify whether there is actually a legal requirement to report a 2 -3 week trip abroad, for example as changes of circumstances that needs to be reported?

On what basis is she on IS?

Sorry, just saw this now. Email notification does not seem to work. 
IS entitlement is on basis of incapacity for work, for over 10 years, currently going through migration process (has received & just returned ESA50, no decision yet).

hi andrea -

the box for email notifications didn’t seem to be ticked - have edited your post so it should be ok now. perhaps let me know if not.

cheers ros

There is an implied duty under regulation 18 of the Incapacity for Work Regulations to notify the DWP if you are going to be absent from your place of residence otherwise you can be treated as capable of work for up to six weeks..