If you receive Personal Independence Payment (PIP), it’s essential to keep the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) informed about certain life changes. Failing to report relevant updates could result in reduced payments or complete suspension of your benefits.
Changes You Don’t Need to Report
Some personal changes do not impact your eligibility or payments and therefore don’t require reporting. These include:
- Changing your name
- Switching to a new doctor or healthcare provider
- Moving to a new residential address (excluding hospitals or care institutions)
Still, it’s wise to ensure DWP records are current, even for non-impactful changes.
Changes You MUST Report to DWP Immediately
These changes could directly affect your entitlement or the amount of PIP you receive:
| Change in Circumstance | Impact on PIP | Required Action |
|---|---|---|
| Daily living or mobility needs | May increase or decrease award | Call DWP if needs increase or decrease, or duration of condition changes |
| Leaving the UK for over 4 weeks | Could suspend or stop payments | Notify DWP with travel dates, destination, and reason for travel |
| Admission to hospital (NHS funded) | Payment stops after 28 days | Inform DWP of admission and expected discharge dates |
| Moving into a care home (publicly funded) | Daily living component stops after 28 days | Notify DWP; self-funded claimants remain eligible |
| Legal custody (remand or sentence) | Payments stop after 28 days | Report date of custody and expected duration |
| New appointee or power of attorney | Ensures correct person receives payment | Provide full contact info of new representative |
| New bank or account details | Ensures uninterrupted payments | Submit updated bank name, account number, sort code, and account holder name |
Important Notes on Specific Scenarios
Hospital and Care Home Stays
If you’re admitted to an NHS hospital, both daily living and mobility components of PIP will cease after 28 days. Stays in private hospitals do not impact your benefits. If your PIP claim starts while you’re already in a hospital, you won’t receive payments until you’re discharged.
When staying in a care home funded by the local council, the daily living component will stop after 28 days. The mobility component will continue. If you self-fund your placement, both components remain payable.
Multiple stays in a hospital or care home may be linked if the breaks between them are fewer than 28 days. In such cases, the 28-day limit is cumulative.
Legal Custody and Imprisonment
PIP payments stop after 28 days if you are held in custody, regardless of conviction status. Suspended payments are not refunded even if you’re later found not guilty. Separate custody periods link if they occur within a year of each other.
Reporting Travel Abroad
Planning to travel outside the UK for more than four weeks? This can affect your entitlement. Contact the DWP before you go with:
- Departure and return dates
- Destination
- Reason for travel
This is especially relevant for summer 2025 travel plans.
How to Report a Change to DWP
To report any of the above changes, call the PIP Enquiry Line: Telephone: 0800 121 4433
Opening hours: Monday to Friday, 9 AM to 5 PM
Updates That Should Be Sent in Writing
Name Change
Report your name change in writing. Include:
- Previous and new name
- Any changes to your payment account
- Signature of the claimant
Doctor or Health Professional Change (During Claim Process)
If you’re in the process of applying for PIP, inform the DWP of any changes to your healthcare provider so that the assessment team has accurate contact details.
Conclusion
Being proactive in reporting changes can save you from payment interruptions and possible investigations. Not all updates affect your PIP, but knowing which ones do ensures you’re on the right side of the rules. April 2025 is a good time to review your current status and make sure the DWP has the latest information.
FAQs About Reporting PIP Changes
What happens if I forget to report a change?
Failing to report changes can lead to overpayments, which the DWP may recover, or suspension of your PIP.
Can I update DWP online?
Currently, most PIP-related changes must be reported via phone or post. There is no full-service online option as of April 2025.
Will going on a short holiday affect my PIP?
If you’re away for less than four weeks, it typically won’t affect your benefit. Over four weeks, you must notify the DWP.
I changed my doctor after getting approved. Do I still need to report it?
If the change occurred after your claim was approved and no reassessment is pending, it’s optional but recommended.
What if I’m unsure whether a change matters?
When in doubt, call the DWP. It’s better to over-report than risk losing benefits.
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