Personal Independence Payment (PIP) claimants are being urged to inform the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) about certain changes in their circumstances, or risk having their benefit payments paused or stopped altogether. While some updates, such as a change of name, doctor, or address, do not affect entitlement, other changes can have a direct impact on a claimant's award.
One key warning is for those planning to travel overseas. If you leave the country for more than four weeks, even for a holiday, it may affect your PIP entitlement. The DWP requires details of the date of departure, how long you plan to be away, the destination country, and the reason for travel. Claimants are advised to contact the PIP enquiry line on 0800 121 4433 as soon as possible before booking or travelling.
Changes to your support needs or the expected duration of your condition must also be reported, as these can alter the amount of PIP you receive and the length of your award. Additionally, both components of PIP stop being payable 28 days after admission to an NHS hospital, though those privately funding treatment are unaffected. Similarly, the daily living component stops after 28 days in a publicly funded care home, while the mobility component continues.
Claimants who are imprisoned or held in legal custody should also notify the DWP, as PIP stops after 28 days in custody. This applies regardless of whether the offence is civil or criminal, and whether the person is convicted or on remand. Suspended payments will not be refunded even if proceedings are dropped.
While a change of name does not affect PIP payments, the DWP must be informed in writing, not over the phone. It is also worth keeping all other details up to date to ensure there are no delays or issues with your benefit.
