Abroad longer than 28 days due to missed flights

I recently took a trip abroad to see family - planned to last 28 days, because of ESA/UC limit.

However I missed my flight home - ironically due to the same cognitive difficulties which mean I need the benefits in the first place - so i was actually out of the UK for several extra days till there were alternative flights available which I could afford.

Wondering if anyone has ever dealt with the DWP over a situation like this, and has any advice?

I currently receive ESA (contrib based), PIP and UC, and do not have to do work related activity.

And do people think there's any point applying to my travel insurance company for help with the costs of the replacement flights? Or the potential situation where I lose benefit eligibility??

Hi unfortunately I doubt your insurance would cover this unless you had medical evidence to show your missed flight was due to your illness which caused you to miss it. However if it is an ongoing illness causing this, this would have to have been declared to the insurers before you got the insurance.

If it was me, I would not even mention the length of your holiday to the DWP. It was booked as less than 28 day holiday and I would not "remember" to tell them otherwise.