DWP PIP warning as claimants told to 'contact straight away'

People in receipt of Personal Independence Payments (PIP) could see their payments stopped if they fail to report certain circumstance changes to the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).

PIP claimants could risk losing their benefit entitlement if they don't let DWP know about certain things, and while things such as name changes, switching to a different GP, or moving home have no impact, other changes must be reported.

For example, leaving the country or planning to leave the country for a period of more than four weeks, even for just a holiday, may affect your benefit.

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The DWP has said people who are in receipt of PIP should "contact straight away" in any of the following circumstances:

• you need more or less help with daily living and mobility tasks

• your health professional tells you that your condition will last for a longer or shorter time than you reported before

• your condition has worsened and you’re not expected to live more than 12 months

• you go into a hospital, a hospice, a nursing home or a care home

• you go into a residential school or college

• you go into foster care or into the care of a local authority or health and social care trust

• you’re imprisoned or held in detention

• you plan to go abroad for more than 4 weeks

• your immigration status changes and you’re not a British or Irish citizen

• you start or stop getting pensions or benefits from an EU country, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein

• your husband, wife, civil partner or a parent you depend on starts or stops getting benefits from an EU country, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein

You can report a change of circumstances by calling 0800 121 4433. Lines are open from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday. Full details about changes of circumstance if you are receiving PIP can be found in the online handbook here.

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