PIP payments could stop if you go on holiday abroad and do not tell DWP first. This is a harsh reality that many people may not know about yet. Personal Independence Payments are designed to provide financial assistance to those who have a long-term health condition or disability that affects their daily life. However, there are certain circumstances where changes need to be reported to DWP, or people risk losing their benefit entitlement and having regular payments paused or stopped.
So, what circumstances are we talking about? 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 or your award. 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. The newly published PIP Handbook on GOV.UK states that, “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.”
It’s important to make sure you contact the DWP with the details they have asked for as soon as possible – and keep it in mind when booking. Planning an extended holiday may seem like a harmless activity, but it could have serious consequences for your PIP benefits.
In addition to leaving the country, there are several other changes of circumstances that people receiving PIP must tell the DWP about, or risk losing their benefit entitlement. These include changes to daily living or mobility needs, hospitals or similar institutions, care homes, linked spells in hospital and a care home, imprisonment or claimant held in legal custody, and a change of name.
It’s important that people understand these changes and report them to the DWP as soon as possible. Failure to do so can lead to a pause or stop in payments, which can cause further stress and difficulties for those already struggling with health conditions or disabilities.
In conclusion, receiving PIP can be a lifeline for many people who need financial assistance due to long-term health conditions or disabilities. However, it’s important to be aware of the potential changes in circumstances that need to be reported to the DWP. Going abroad for an extended holiday, even for just four weeks, can have serious consequences for your PIP benefits, so make sure you report it to the DWP as soon as possible. By keeping on top of these changes, people can ensure that they continue to receive the financial support they need to improve their quality of life.
Related Facts:
– PIP, or Personal Independence Payments, replaced Disability Living Allowance (DLA) in 2013.
– The purpose of PIP is to help people with the extra costs of living with a long-term health condition or disability.
– PIP is not means-tested or affected by any other income or savings you may have.
Key Takeaway:
– If you are receiving PIP and are planning to go on holiday abroad for more than four weeks, you must report the details to the DWP or risk losing your benefit entitlement.
– There are other changes in circumstances that need to be reported to the DWP, such as changes to daily living or mobility needs, hospitals or similar institutions, care homes, linked spells in hospital and a care home, imprisonment or claimant held in legal custody, and a change of name.
– By keeping on top of changes in circumstances, people can ensure that they continue to receive the financial support they need to improve their quality of life.
Let’s hope that the DWP provides better guidelines and support to claimants going forward, ensuring that everyone receives the benefits they deserve while minimizing any undue stress or confusion.
