Persons receiving Personal Independence Payments (PIP) need to be vigilant about informing the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) of changes in their circumstances to maintain their benefits. The latest edition of the PIP Handbook, accessible on GOV. UK, specifies that actions such as travelling abroad for over four weeks could affect entitlement.
The handbook advises: “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.”
To prevent any interruptions in payments, those reliant on PIP should relay relevant information well ahead of travel, especially for winter holidays seeking a warmer climate, reports WalesOnline.
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.
Changes to daily living or mobility needs
If you require more or less assistance, or if your condition is expected to last longer or shorter than previously reported to the DWP, it’s crucial to inform them. This change could impact your PIP entitlement, amount, and duration.
Leaving the country or planning to leave the country for a period of more than four weeks – even if this is a holiday
If you’re planning to leave the country for more than four weeks – even for a holiday – this could affect your PIP claim. The DWP needs to know your departure date, how long you plan to be away, your destination, and the reason for your trip.
Stays in hospital or similar institutions
According to DWP guidelines, both components of PIP stop being payable 28 days after admission to an NHS hospital. However, privately funded patients can continue receiving either component of PIP.
If you’re in a hospital or similar institution when your PIP entitlement begins, PIP isn’t payable until discharge. The daily living component of PIP stops being payable after 28 days of residency in a care home funded by public or local funds, but the mobility component can continue.
Care homes
Those who fully self-fund their placement aren’t affected by these rules. If you’re in a care home when your PIP entitlement starts, the daily living component isn’t payable until you leave.
Hospital stays are considered connected if the gap between them is no more than 28 days. Similarly, the daily living component for periods in a care home is also linked if the gap between them is no more than 28 days.
Linked spells in hospital and a care home
However, there is no such 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 moves between a hospital and care home, or vice versa, these periods will also link.
Imprisonment or claimant held in legal custody
If a claimant is imprisoned or held in legal custody, this may affect the amount of PIP that can be paid to them. The DWP needs to know the date the claimant was taken into prison or legal custody and the length of time they are expected to be there, if known.
Detained in legal custody
PIP ceases to be 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
A change of name will not affect payment or eligibility for PIP, but it is important the DWP has the most up-to-date details for the claimant.
Claimants must report changes in writing to the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). If a claimant phones to provide these details, they will be asked to submit them in writing. The written notification should include:
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
If there’s a change in the account where PIP is paid, the DWP needs full details of the new bank or building society, including the name and address, 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
If there’s a change in the person acting for the claimant, such as an appointee or someone with power of attorney, this 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
A change of address, providing it is not a hospital or nursing home, will not affect eligibility or payment of PIP. It is important the DWP hold the most up-to-date details for the claimant.
They need full details of the new address the claimant has moved to, including the postcode and the date they moved.
Change of doctor or healthcare professional
This alteration will not impact 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 crucial that the DWP have the most current information.
This ensures that the assessment provider has the correct contact details to collect any additional details they may need. The DWP requires the complete name, address and contact details of the new doctor or health care professional.
Full details about changes of circumstance if you are receiving PIP can be found in the online handbook here.
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