Has anyone had experience or knowledge on Covid being classed as a permitted reason to fail eligibility test but be able to apply. A friend has lodged request for tribunal regarding she spent longer than intended when going back to see family in Italy as Covid restrictions on travel and then falling ill .
You are on difficult ground, the changes to benefits made during lockdown were done via updated guidance which is no longer applicable and worst still via statements by Ministers which were not legally binding.
There's a RightsNet thread worth having a look at.