The DWP has issued a reminder to PIP claimants about the changes in circumstances they must report to the government department – or risk having their payments stopped
If you’re on Personal Independence Payments (PIP), it’s vital to keep the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) clued in on specific changes, or you might risk your benefit being reduced or outrigh stopped.
Take note, though, that a new name, GP, health professional, or a house move isn’t something you’ve got to report to the DWP, and it won’t mess with your cash flow. But, to avoid any issues, it’s best to keep a record of everything.
Now, if you’re nicking off abroad for more than a month – even just for a cheeky holiday – your PIP could take a hit.
According to the latest GOV.UK guidance, heading overseas for over four weeks could cause issues with PIP payments. The DWP needs the lowdown: when you’re off, how long you’re away for, where you’re buzzing off to, and why.
If you need to report a change, call the PIP line at 0800 121 4433, anytime between 9am and 5pm, Monday to Friday, reports the Daily Record.
“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.”
Here’s a comprehensive rundown of all the changes in circumstances that might require you to get in touch with the DWP.
Changes to daily living or mobility needs
If your need for assistance or support alters, or if your condition is expected to last longer or shorter than you initially informed the DWP, it’s crucial to let them know.
Such changes could impact your eligibility for PIP, as well as the amount and duration of your 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 could affect your PIP entitlement. The DWP needs to be informed about when you’re leaving, how long you plan to stay away, which country you’re visiting and the reason for your trip.
Stays in hospital or similar institutions
Per DWP rules, both components of PIP cease to be payable 28 days after you’re admitted to an NHS hospital.
However, privately funded patients are exempt from these regulations and can continue to receive either component of PIP.
If you’re in hospital or a similar institution when your PIP entitlement begins, PIP won’t be 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. However, the PIP mobility component can continue to be paid.
Those who fully foot the bill for their care home stay aren’t affected by these rules. If a claimant is in a care home when they become entitled, they won’t get the PIP daily living component until they leave.
Hospital stays and care home stays are seen as connected if there’s no more than a 28-day gap between them. The same goes for spells in a care home for the daily living component.
The mobility component doesn’t have this link because its payment isn’t affected while in a care home. Both parts of PIP stop 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 moves between a hospital and a care home, or the other way round, these periods will also be linked.
Imprisonment or claimant held in legal custody
The DWP needs to know the date the claimant was taken into prison or legal custody and how long they’re expected to be there, if known.
PIP stops being payable after 28 days if someone is being held in legal custody. This rule applies whether the offence is civil or criminal, and whether they’ve been convicted or are on remand.
Benefit payments that have been put on hold are not reimbursed, irrespective of the legal proceedings’ outcome against the individual. Two or more separate stints in legal custody are considered connected if they occur within a year of each other.
Change of name
This alteration won’t impact PIP payment or eligibility, but it’s crucial for the DWP to have the claimant’s most current details.
This change must be reported in writing – if the claimant attempts to relay these details over the phone, the DWP will request written confirmation. The written notice should include:.
Change of account PIP is paid into
The DWP requires comprehensive details of the new bank or building society’s name and address, along with specifics of the new account including the account name, the account number, and the sort code or roll number.
Change of person acting for the claimant
This pertains to an appointee or someone holding power of attorney for the claimant.
This change is vital so the DWP can ensure payments are made to the correct person at the right time. They need the full name, address, and contact information of the new person representing the claimant.
If the person acting for the claimant has relocated or has updated contact information, the DWP simply needs the new details.
Change of address
As long as it’s not a hospital or nursing home, this shift won’t affect your PIP eligibility or payments. It’s vital that the DWP is kept up-to-date with the claimant’s latest details.
The DWP needs full information about the new address you’ve moved to, including the postcode and the date of the move.
Change of doctor or healthcare professional
This change won’t impact your PIP payments or eligibility and isn’t mandatory once a decision on the PIP claim has been made.
However, if the switch happens during the claim process, it’s crucial that the DWP has the most recent information. This ensures that the assessment provider has the right contact details to gather any extra details they might need.
The DWP requires the full name, address, and contact details of the new doctor or healthcare professional.
You can find complete details about changes of circumstance if you are receiving PIP in the online handbook here.
