There are also other circumstances in which PIP claimants must contact DWP
There are numerous changes in circumstances that people receiving Personal Independence Payments ( PIP ) must inform the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) about or risk losing their benefit entitlement and having regular payments suspended or terminated.
It’s crucial to understand that changing your name, GP, health professional or address don’t need to be reported to the DWP and won’t impact your payments – though it’s advisable to ensure the information DWP holds for you remains current. However, leaving the country or intending to leave the country for longer than four weeks – even for a holiday – may affect your entitlement.
Guidance on GOV.UK for those planning to leave the country for more than four weeks 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.”
If you’re planning to travel abroad this year, or are arranging a holiday exceeding four weeks, ensure you contact the DWP with the requested details as soon as possible, reports the Daily Record.
How to notify DWP of a change in circumstances
Contact the PIP enquiry line on 0800 121 4433 to report a change of circumstances – lines operate from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday. Below is a comprehensive guide to all changes in circumstances and whether you need to contact the DWP about them.
PIP Payment rates 2026/27
The new payment rates will start on April 6.
Daily Living component
- Enhanced: £114.60 (from £110.40)
- Standard: £76.70 (from £73.90)
Mobility component
- Enhanced: £80.00 (from £77.05)
- Standard: £30.30 (from £29.20)
Changes to daily living or mobility needs
You should inform DWP if, for instance, you require more or less help or support, or the condition will last for a longer or shorter period than you previously informed DWP about. This change may affect entitlement to PIP, the amount and the duration of the PIP award.
Leaving the country or planning to leave the country for a period of 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.
Stays in hospital 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.
Care homes
The daily living component of PIP ceases to be payable after 28 days of residency in care home where the costs of the accommodation are met from public or local funds. The PIP mobility component can continue to be paid. Those who entirely self-fund their care home placement are not impacted by these regulations. If a claimant is in a care home at the date of entitlement, the PIP daily living component is not payable until they depart.
Linked spells in hospital and a care home
Hospital stays and care home spells are linked if the gap between them is no more than 28 days. The daily living component for periods in a care home is also connected if the interval between them is no more than 28 days.
There is no link for the mobility component as payment is not affected when in a care home. Both components of PIP will cease to be paid after a total of 28 days in hospital. The daily living component of PIP will stop being paid after a total of 28 days in a care home.
If a claimant transitions between a hospital and care home, or vice versa, these periods will also be linked.
Imprisonment or claimant held in legal custody
This change may influence the amount of PIP that can be paid to the claimant if they are imprisoned or held in legal custody. The DWP needs to be informed of the date the claimant was taken into prison or legal custody and the expected duration of their stay, if known.
Detained in legal custody
PIP ceases to be payable after 28 days where someone is being detained in legal custody. This applies whether the offence is civil or criminal and whether they have been convicted or are on remand.
Suspended benefit payments are not refunded regardless of the outcome of proceedings against the person. Two or more separate periods in legal custody are linked if they occur within one year of each other.
Change of name
This change will not affect payment or eligibility for PIP, but it is important the DWP holds the most up-to-date details for the claimant.
This change needs to be reported in writing – if the claimant telephones to provide these details, the DWP will request these details in writing.
The written notification must contain:
- full details of their previous name
- their new name
- details of any changes made to the bank or building society account into which PIP is paid, such as the name of the account or the account number
- their signature on the letter
Change of account PIP is paid into
The DWP requires full details of the name and address of the new bank or building society along with details of the new account including the name of the account, the account number and the sort code or roll number.
Change of person acting for the claimant
This refers to an appointee or someone with power of attorney for the claimant. This change is important so the DWP can make payments to the correct person at the correct time. They need the full name, address and contact details of the new person who is acting for the claimant.
If the person acting for the claimant has moved or has different contact details, the DWP just needs the new details.
Change of address
Change of address This change, provided it is not a hospital or nursing home, will not affect eligibility or payment of PIP. It is vital the DWP holds the most up-to-date details for the claimant. They require full details of the new address the claimant has moved to, including the postcode and the date they moved.
Change of doctor or healthcare professional
This change will not affect payment or eligibility for PIP and is not mandatory once a decision on the PIP claim has been made.
However, if the change occurs during the claiming stage, it is essential the DWP has the most up-to-date information. This will ensure the assessment provider has the correct contact details to gather any further information they may require.
The DWP needs the full name, address and contact details of the new doctor or healthcare professional. Full details about changes of circumstance if you are receiving PIP can be found on GOV.UK.
