People receiving Personal Independence Payments (PIP) from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) are at risk of losing their essential monthly payments if they forget to tell the Government about a change in their circumstances – and it’s not easy to keep track of all these changes.
Some things, such as changes to your name, doctor or address, do not need to be reported to the DWP straight away as they will not affect your entitlement to PIP benefits. However, if you are planning a long holiday, your payments may be suspended or stopped completely when you return home.
Any PIP recipients planning a long holiday in the summer sun should contact the DWP as soon as possible and provide details, including where you are travelling to, why and when exactly you will be leaving the country, the Daily Record reports.
READ MORE: DWP confirms dates for ‘crucial’ change affecting all pensioners
The 2024 edition of the PIP Handbook on GOV.UK states: “This change may affect the claimant’s entitlement to PIP. We need to know when the claimant is leaving the country, how long they plan to be out of the country, which country they are travelling to and why they are going abroad.”
How to report a change in your circumstances to the DWP
To report a change in your circumstances, contact the PIP Enquiry Line on 0800 121 4433. Lines are open Monday to Friday from 9am-5pm, but please note that opening hours may change over the festive fortnight.
Here you’ll find comprehensive guidance on any changes in circumstances and whether you need to contact the DWP about them.
Changes in daily life or mobility needs
You should tell DWP if, for example, you need more or less help or support, or the condition is going to last longer or shorter than you previously told DWP.
This change may affect eligibility for PIP and the amount and duration of PIP payments.
Departure or planned departure for a period of more than four weeks – even if it is a public holiday
This change may affect the claimant’s entitlement to PIP. The DWP needs to know the date the claimant is leaving the country, how long they expect to be out of the country, which country they are travelling to and why they are going abroad.
Stays in hospital or similar facilities
According to DWP guidelines, both PIP components will cease to be paid 28 days after the claimant is admitted to an NHS hospital.
Privately funded patients are not affected by these rules and can continue to receive both components of PIP insurance.
If a claimant is in a hospital or similar facility at the time PIP entitlement begins, PIP will not be paid until after the claimant is discharged.
Nursing homes
The daily living component of PIP will cease to be paid after 28 days of stay in a care home if the accommodation costs are covered by public or local funds. The mobility component of PIP may still be paid.
People who fully finance their own accommodation are not affected by these rules. If an applicant is in a care home at the time of eligibility, the daily living component of PIP will not be paid until after their discharge.
Associated hospital and nursing home stays
Hospital stays are linked if the interval between them is no more than 28 days. The everyday component for stays in a nursing home is also linked if the interval between them is no more than 28 days.
There is no link for the mobility component as payment is not affected by a stay in a care home. Both components of PIP will stop being 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.
Even if a beneficiary moves between hospital and nursing home or vice versa, these periods are linked.
Imprisonment or detention of the plaintiff
This change may affect the amount of PIP that can be paid to the claimant.
The DWP needs to know the date on which the applicant was taken into prison or custody and (if known) how long they are expected to spend there.
In custody
If someone is in custody for 28 days, PIP payments stop. This applies regardless of whether the offence is civil or criminal and whether the person has been convicted or is on remand.
Suspended benefits are non-refundable regardless of the outcome of the case against the person. Two or more separate periods of legal guardianship are combined if they occur within one year.
Name change
This change will not affect payment or eligibility for PIP, but it is important that the DWP has the most up to date details of the claimant.
This change must be reported in writing. If the applicant provides this information over the phone, the DWP will ask for this information to be communicated in writing. The written notification must include:
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full details of previous name
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her new name
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Details of any changes to the bank or building society account into which the PIP payment is made, such as the account name or account number
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her signature on the letter
Account change PIP is paid
The DWP will require the full name and address of the new bank or building society, and details of the new account, including account name, account number and sort code or account number.
Change of person acting on behalf of the plaintiff
This is a person with power of attorney or authority to represent the claimant.
This change is important so that the DWP can make payments to the right person at the right time. It will need the full name, address and contact details of the new person representing the claimant.
If the person representing the applicant has moved or has different contact details, the DWP only needs the new details.
Change of address
This change will not affect eligibility or payment of PIP, unless the claimant is a hospital or care home. It is important that the DWP has the most up to date details from the claimant.
You will need all information about the applicant’s new address, including postcode and moving date.
Account change PIP is paid
The DWP will require the full name and address of the new bank or building society, and details of the new account, including account name, account number and sort code or account number.
Change of person acting on behalf of the plaintiff
This is a person with power of attorney or authority to represent the claimant.
This change is important so that the DWP can make payments to the right person at the right time. It will need the full name, address and contact details of the new person representing the claimant.
If the person representing the applicant has moved or has different contact details, the DWP only needs the new details.
Change of address
This change will not affect eligibility or payment of PIP, unless the claimant is a hospital or care home. It is important that the DWP has the most up to date details from the claimant.
You will need all information about the applicant’s new address, including postcode and moving date.
