Personal Independence Payment claimants must report travel abroad for over four weeks or risk losing benefits
There are several changes in circumstances that individuals receiving Personal Independence Payments (PIP) must inform the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) about, or they risk losing their benefit entitlement and having regular payments paused or stopped.
It’s crucial to note that changing your name, doctor, health professional or address do not need to be reported to the DWP and will have no impact on your payments – but it is worthwhile ensuring the details DWP holds on file for you is up to date.
However, leaving the country or planning to leave the country for a period of more than four weeks – even just for a holiday – may affect entitlement.
Guidance on GOV.UK for people planning to leave the country for more than four weeks, states: “This change may affect the claimant’s entitlement to PIP. We will need to know the date the claimant is leaving the country, how long they are planning to be out of the country, which country they are going to and why they are going abroad.”
If you are planning to travel abroad this year, or are in the process of booking a holiday for more than four weeks, make sure you contact the DWP with the details they have asked for as soon as possible, reports the Daily Record.
How to report a change of circumstances to DWP
Contact the PIP enquiry line on 0800 121 4433 to report a change of circumstances – lines are open from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.
Here is a comprehensive guide to all the changes in circumstances and whether you need to contact the DWP about them.
Alterations to daily living or mobility requirements
You should inform the DWP if, for instance, you require more or less assistance or support, or if your condition will persist for a longer or shorter duration than you previously informed the DWP.
Such a change could impact your eligibility for PIP, as well as the amount and duration of the PIP award.
Departing the country or intending to leave the country for more than four weeks – even if it’s for a holiday
This alteration could affect the claimant’s eligibility for PIP. The DWP needs to be informed of the date the claimant is leaving the country, the length of their intended stay abroad, the country they are visiting, and the reason for their trip.
Hospital stays or similar institutionalisation
According to DWP guidelines, both components of PIP cease to be payable 28 days after the claimant is admitted to an NHS hospital.
Patients funded privately are not subject to these rules and can continue to receive either component of PIP.
If a claimant is in hospital or a similar institution at the date entitlement to PIP begins, PIP is not payable until they are discharged.
Care homes
The daily living component of PIP ceases to be payable after 28 days of residency in a care home where the costs of the accommodation are met from public or local funds. The PIP mobility component can continue to be paid.
Those who fully self-fund their care home placement are not impacted by these regulations. If a claimant is in a care home at the date of entitlement, the PIP daily living component is not payable until they depart.
Linked stays in hospital and a care home
Hospital stays are linked if the interval between them is no more than 28 days. The daily living component for stays in a care home is also linked if the gap between them is no more than 28 days.
There is no link for the mobility component as payment is not affected when in a care home. Both components of PIP will cease to be paid after a total of 28 days in hospital. The daily living component of PIP will stop being paid after a total of 28 days in a care home.
If a claimant transitions between a hospital and care home, or vice versa, these periods will also link.
Imprisonment or claimant held in legal custody
This alteration may impact the amount of PIP that can be paid to the claimant.
The DWP needs to be informed of the date the claimant was taken into prison or legal custody and the expected duration of their stay, if known.
Detained in legal custody
PIP stops being payable after 28 days where someone is being detained in legal custody. This applies whether the offence is civil or criminal and whether they have been convicted or are on remand.
Suspended payments of benefit are not refunded regardless of the outcome of proceedings against the individual. Two or more separate periods in legal custody link if they are within one year of each other.
Change of name
This change will not affect payment or eligibility for PIP, but it is important the DWP has the most up-to-date details for the claimant.
This change needs to be reported in writing – if the claimant phones to give these details, the DWP will ask for these details to be put in writing. The written notification must contain:
• Full details of their previous name
• Their new name
• Details of any changes made to the bank or building society account into which PIP is paid, such as the name of the account or the account number
• Their signature on the letter
Change of account PIP is paid into
The DWP needs full details of the name and address of the new bank or building society along with details of the new account including the name of the account, the account number and the sort code or roll number.
Change of person acting for the claimant
This refers to an appointee or someone with power of attorney for the claimant.
This change is important so the DWP can make payments to the right person at the right time. They need the full name, address and contact details of the new person who is acting for the claimant.
If the person acting for the claimant has moved or has different contact details, the DWP just needs the new details.
Change of address
This alteration, unless it involves a hospital or nursing home, will not impact the eligibility or payment of PIP. It’s crucial that the DWP has the most current details for the claimant.
They require comprehensive information about the new address to which the claimant has relocated, including the postcode and the date of the move.
Change of doctor or healthcare professional
This change will not affect the payment or eligibility for PIP and is not obligatory once a decision on the PIP claim has been reached.
However, if the change occurs during the claiming process, it’s vital that the DWP have the most recent information. This ensures that the assessment provider has the correct contact details to collect any additional details they may need.
The DWP requires the full name, address, and contact details of the new doctor or healthcare professional.
Complete details about changes of circumstance if you are receiving PIP can be found on GOV.UK.








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