UK Benefits Exportability FAQ: Can You Really Claim From Abroad?
"Exportability" is the word the DWP uses to describe whether a UK benefit can still be paid to you once you live outside the UK. It's a term most people never come across — until they realise it might be the reason they're missing out on money they're still entitled to. Here are the questions we get asked most.
What does "exportability" actually mean?
Exportability is simply whether a UK benefit can continue to be paid to you after you move abroad. Some benefits are exportable and will follow you wherever you live in the EU; others stop the day you leave the UK. Whether a benefit is exportable — and whether you personally qualify — depends on the benefit itself and your residency history.
Which UK benefits can be exported abroad?
The benefits we deal with most are Attendance Allowance, Carer's Allowance, Disability Living Allowance and the State Pension — all of which can, in the right circumstances, be exported to an EU country. Personal Independence Payment can sometimes be exported depending on when your award started. Means-tested benefits like Universal Credit and Pension Credit generally cannot be exported.
Am I covered by the Withdrawal Agreement?
You're likely covered if you're a British national who was already lawfully resident in an EU or EEA country before 31 December 2020, and you've remained resident there since. That date is the single biggest factor in whether your benefit rights are protected.
Does Brexit mean I've lost my UK benefit rights?
Not if you moved before the cut-off date above. This is the single most common misconception we hear — people assume Brexit switched off their entitlement entirely, when in fact the Withdrawal Agreement was specifically designed to protect people who had already built their lives in the EU before Brexit took effect.
Who is the DWP Exportability Team?
The Exportability Team is the specialist DWP unit that handles benefit claims and correspondence for British nationals living abroad under the Withdrawal Agreement. Attendance Allowance claims for expats are submitted directly to this team rather than through the standard domestic process.
How long does an exportability claim take?
Most Attendance Allowance claims we submit take around 8 to 12 weeks from submission to a decision, though it can run longer depending on the DWP's workload and whether they come back requesting further evidence, such as proof of residency.
Worth knowing: a claim that's missing information, uses the wrong wording, or doesn't clearly establish your Withdrawal Agreement residency can be delayed or refused — and refiling means starting the wait all over again. Getting it right first time matters.
What happens if my claim is refused?
If a claim is refused, or the award looks too low, you can request a Mandatory Reconsideration — asking the DWP to review its own decision — usually within one month of receiving it. This has to be done correctly and promptly, so it's worth getting advice before you respond.
Do I need to prove my residency to claim?
Yes — the DWP typically asks for proof that you were resident in the EU before 31 December 2020 and have remained resident there since. This is usually requested after your initial application has already been submitted, rather than upfront.
Still not sure where you stand?
A ten-minute conversation is usually enough to tell you whether you're covered. Free, no obligation, no cost unless we win.
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