The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is reminding Personal Independence Payment (PIP) claimants of a strict four-week rule that could affect their payments if they go on holiday abroad. Claimants who fail to report a trip lasting more than four weeks risk a fine or having their payments stopped.
PIP Holiday Rules
PIP is a benefit designed to help with extra living costs for people with long-term physical or mental health conditions or disabilities who have difficulty with daily tasks or getting around. Leaving the country for more than four weeks, even for a holiday, may affect entitlement to the benefit.
According to the current PIP Handbook on GOV.UK, claimants planning to leave the country for more than four weeks must inform the DWP of the date they are leaving, how long they plan to be abroad, which country they are going to, and why they are going abroad. Claimants may still be entitled to PIP if going abroad for up to 13 weeks, or 26 weeks if for medical treatment.
Other Changes That Must Be Reported
The DWP warns that changes in circumstances can affect a PIP award, which could go up, go down, stay the same, or stop. Claimants could be taken to court or have to pay a penalty if they give wrong information or do not report a change straight away. Changes that must be reported include: needing more or less help with daily living and mobility tasks; a change in the expected duration of the condition; a medical professional stating the claimant has 12 months or less to live; entering a hospital, hospice, nursing home, or care home; entering a residential school or college; entering foster care or local authority care; imprisonment or detention; planning to go abroad for more than four weeks; changes in immigration status; starting or stopping pensions or benefits from an EU country, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, or Liechtenstein; or a spouse or parent starting or stopping such benefits.
Changes such as changing name, doctor, health professional, or address do not need to be reported to the DWP and will not affect payments, but it is advisable to keep details up to date. To report a change, claimants should contact the PIP enquiry line on 0800 121 4433, open from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.
