The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has issued guidance to PIP claimants who are planning to leave the country for a period of more than four weeks, which may affect entitlement
People receiving Personal Independence Payments (PIP) must inform the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) of certain changes in circumstances to avoid risking their benefit entitlement, with regular payments potentially being paused or stopped.
It’s crucial to note that changing your name, doctor, health professional, or address does not need to be reported to the DWP and will not affect your payments. However, it is still recommended to keep the details the DWP has on file for you up to date.
On the other hand, leaving the country or planning to leave for more than four weeks – even for a holiday – could impact your entitlement.
The current PIP Handbook on GOV.UK advises those planning to be abroad for over four weeks: “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 have travel plans over the Easter break or in the coming weeks, it’s essential to provide the DWP with the requested information promptly – and bear this in mind when scheduling holidays later in the year, reports the Daily Record.
To report a change of circumstances to the DWP, contact the PIP enquiry line at 0800 121 4433. The line is open from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.
Here’s a detailed guide to all the changes in circumstances and whether you need to contact the DWP about them.
Changes to daily living or mobility needs
You should inform the DWP if, for instance, you require more or less assistance or support, or if your condition will last longer or shorter than you previously informed the DWP.
This change may affect your entitlement to PIP, the amount and the duration of the PIP award.
Leaving the country or planning to leave the country for a period of more than four weeks – even if this is a holiday
This change may affect your entitlement to PIP. The DWP needs to know when you’re leaving the country, how long you plan to be away, which country you’re going to and why you’re going abroad.
Stays in hospital or similar institutions
According to DWP guidelines, both components of PIP stop being payable 28 days after you’re admitted to an NHS hospital.
Patients funded privately are not affected by these rules and can continue to receive either component of PIP.
If you’re in hospital or a similar institution when your entitlement to PIP begins, PIP is not payable until you’re discharged.
Care homes
The daily living component of PIP stops being payable after 28 days of residency in a care home where the accommodation costs are covered by 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 residing in a care home at the time of entitlement, the PIP daily living component will not be paid until they depart.
Hospital stays and care home stays are considered linked if there is no more than a 28-day gap between them. The same applies to spells in a care home for the daily living component.
The mobility component does not have this link as its payment is not affected while in a care home. Both components of PIP cease payment after a total of 28 days spent in hospital.
The daily living component also stops after a total of 28 days in a care home.
If a claimant transitions between a hospital and a care home, or vice versa, these periods will also be linked.
Imprisonment or claimant held in legal custody
Changes may occur to the amount of PIP that can be paid to the claimant if they are imprisoned or held in legal custody.
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.
PIP ceases to be payable after 28 days if someone is being detained in legal custody. This rule applies regardless of whether the offence is civil or criminal, and whether they have been convicted or are on remand.
Benefit payments that have been suspended 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 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
Provided it’s not a hospital or nursing home, this change won’t impact the eligibility or payment of PIP. It’s crucial that the DWP has the most current details for the claimant.
The DWP requires comprehensive information about the new address the claimant has moved to, including the postcode and the date of the move.
Change of doctor or healthcare professional
This alteration won’t affect the payment or eligibility for PIP and isn’t compulsory once a decision on the PIP claim has been reached.
However, if the change occurs during the claiming stage, it’s vital that the DWP has the most recent information. This ensures that the assessment provider has the correct contact details to collect any additional details they might need.
The DWP needs 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 in the online handbook here.
