Personal Independence Payment (PIP) claimants must inform the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) about certain changes in their circumstances
Some small changes could significantly impact your PIP claim(Image: Getty Images)
Personal Independence Payment (PIP) recipients must alert the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) about specific changes to their situation – or risk having their benefits stopped and regular payments cut off or suspended. It’s important to note that alterations such as switching your name, GP, medical professional or home address don’t need reporting to the DWP and won’t affect your payments or award – although it’s recommended to ensure the DWP’s records remain up-to-date.
Nevertheless, leaving the country or planning to go away for more than four weeks – even for a break – might influence your entitlement. The existing PIP Handbook on GOV.UK 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’re considering travelling abroad in the next few weeks, make sure you inform the DWP with the required details as soon as possible – and keep this in mind when booking breaks this winter, reports the Daily Record.
The DWP need to be made aware of some changes(Image: Getty Images)How to notify DWP of a change in circumstances
Call the PIP enquiry line on 0800 121 4433 to report any change of circumstances – the service runs from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.
Below is a complete breakdown of all the circumstantial changes and whether the DWP needs to be contacted about them.
Change of name
A change of name won’t impact your payment or eligibility for PIP, but it’s crucial that the DWP has your most current details. If you’re a claimant and need to report changes, bear in mind that the DWP needs these details in writing.
If you try to provide this information over the phone, you’ll be asked to submit it in written form.
The written notification should include your full previous name, new name, any changes made to the bank or building society account where your PIP is deposited, such as alterations to the account name or number, and your signature on the letter.
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 is expected to last longer or shorter than previously reported to the DWP.
Such changes could impact your PIP entitlement, the amount, and the duration of the PIP award.
Leaving the country for more than four weeks
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.
Some PIP claimants could be at risk of losing their claim(Image: Getty Images)Hospital stays
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 where accommodation costs are covered by public or local funds.
The PIP mobility component can still be paid. Those who fully self-fund their placement aren’t affected by these rules.
Care home
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. However, 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 moves between a hospital and care home, or vice versa, these periods will also link.
Imprisonment or 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.
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 account PIP is paid into
If there’s a change in the account where your PIP is paid into, the DWP needs comprehensive details of the new bank or building society, including the name and address, along with specifics of the new account like the account name, number, and sort code or roll number.
Change of address
A change of address, unless it’s a hospital or nursing home, won’t affect eligibility or payment of PIP. However, it’s vital that the DWP has the most current details for the claimant. They need comprehensive details of the new address, including the postcode and the date of the move
Change of account PIP is paid into
If there’s a change in the account where your PIP is paid into, the DWP needs comprehensive details of the new bank or building society, including the name and address, along with specifics of the new account like the account name, number, and sort code or roll number.
Change of doctor/healthcare professional
Lastly, if there’s a change of doctor or healthcare professional, this also needs to be reported. 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 this change occurs during the claiming process, it’s crucial that the DWP is provided with the most current information. This ensures that the assessment provider has the correct contact details to collect any additional information they might need.
The DWP requires the complete name, address, and contact details of the new doctor or healthcare professional.
Change of person acting for claimant
Changes regarding the person acting on behalf of the claimant, such as an appointee or someone with power of attorney, are crucial so that the DWP can ensure payments are made correctly and on time. They require the full name, address, and contact details of the new representative.
If the representative has moved or their contact details have changed, only the new information is needed.
Full details about changes of circumstance if you are receiving PIP can be found in the online handbook here.