Further to the Social Security Advisory Committee report and following two postponements, these amended regs now come into effect on 28 July 2016. Note that two amendments are made to the final version:

• The period of allowable absence is extended to 26 weeks for victims of domestic violence
• Members of the armed forces have special dispensation where they are “posted overseas” (the previous test was “away on operations”).

The report and Government response can be found here 

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-housing-benefit-and-state-pension-credit-temporary-absenceamendment-regulations-2016-ssac-report-and-government-statement

For thos just loking for the new regs amending HB reg 7 on hbinfo see 

 

The Housing Benefit and State Pension Credit (Temporary Absence) (Amendment) Regulations 2016