People receiving Personal Independence Payment (PIP) do not need to report every change in their circumstances to the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), as some changes will not affect their entitlement or pause their payments.
Changes you do not need to report
PIP is not a means-tested benefit and can be paid whether the claimant is working or not. Therefore, there is no need to inform the DWP if you start a new job, stop claiming other benefits, change roles at work (unless the amount of help you need has changed), leave a job, are made redundant, or take retirement.
Changes you must report to the DWP
However, guidance on the GOV.UK website states you must contact the PIP enquiry line if your personal details change (for example, your name, address or doctor), the help you need or your condition changes, your condition has worsened and you are not expected to live more than six months, you go into hospital or a care home, you go abroad for more than four weeks, or you are imprisoned or held in detention.
The GOV.UK website warns that you could be taken to court or have to pay a penalty if you give wrong information or do not report a change in your circumstances.
How to report a change of circumstances
Before making the call, you will need your National Insurance number, bank account details, and GP name and address in order for the DWP to verify your identity.
Contact the PIP enquiry line by telephone on 0800 121 4433 (option 5), textphone on 0800 121 4493, via Relay UK (if you cannot hear or speak on the phone) on 18001 then 0800 121 4433, or through the video relay service for British Sign Language (BSL) users.
