Holiday warning for DWP PIP claimants and when benefit payments could stop

People who claim Personal Independence Payments are being reminded of the rules if they are planning to go on holiday this year.

There are several changes in circumstances that PIP claimants must tell the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) about or risk losing their benefit entitlement and having regular payments paused or stopped. Changing your name, doctor, health professional or address do not need to be reported to the DWP and will have no impact on your payments.

However, leaving the country or planning to leave the country for a period of more than four weeks, even for just a holiday, may affect entitlement. Guidance in the 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.”

• Read More: Six PIP changes you do not need to report to DWP - and things you must declare or face penalty

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If you’re planning on enjoying an extended holiday this year, make sure you contact the DWP with the details they have asked for as soon as possible, reports the Daily Record. More details are given below.

Leaving the country or planning to leave the country for more than four weeks - even if this is a holiday

This change may affect the claimant’s entitlement to PIP. The DWP needs 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.

Hospitals or similar institutions

DWP guidance states both components of PIP cease to be payable 28 days after the claimant is admitted to an NHS hospital. Privately funded patients are unaffected by these rules and can continue to be paid either component of PIP. If a claimant is in hospital or a similar institution at the date entitlement to PIP starts, PIP is not payable until they are discharged.

Changes to daily living or mobility needs

You should tell the DWP if, for example, you need more or less help or support or your condition will last for a longer or shorter time than you previously told DWP about. This change may affect entitlement to PIP, the amount and the period of the PIP award.

How to report a change of circumstances to DWP

Contact the PIP enquiry line on 0800 121 4433 to report a change of circumstances - lines are open from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday. Phone lines will be closed over the Spring bank holiday weekend, but will be back to normal on Tuesday, May 30.