PIP payment warning as DWP could axe your cash over innocent summer holiday mistake

THOUSANDS on Personal Independence Payments (PIP) should avoid a simple holiday mistake that could see them facing a penalty.

There are a number of change in circumstances you have to report to the DWP which can impact the amount of PIP you receive.

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A change in circumstances can also see your payments stopped completely.

You have to call the PIP helpline and tell them if your personal details have changed, including your name, address, phone number or bank account details.

But you also have to tell them if you plan to go away for more than four weeks.

If you do not, you could be taken to court or have to pay a £50 penalty.

The Government’s website says: “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.”

Anyone on the Government benefit who’s planning to take an extended trip abroad this summer should call the PIP helpline.

The phone line to call is 0800 121 4433, which is open Monday to Friday, 9am – 5pm.

There are 10 other change in circumstances you need to report to the PIP helpline or risk a penalty or being taken to court:

• 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 must also contact the PIP enquiry line straight away if:

• your personal details change, for example your name, address, phone numbers, bank account or doctor
• someone is acting on your behalf and that person changes

What is PIP and who is eligible?

PIP is a Government benefit to help those suffering from a long-term illness, disability or mental health condition.

The maximum amount you can receive from the benefit is £184.30 a week, depending on your circumstances.

PIP is for those over 16 and under the state pension age, currently 66.

You also must have lived in England or Wales for at least two out of the last three years, and be in one of these countries when you apply.

Residents in Northern Ireland have to go through a different process, and there are additional rules if you live abroad or you’re not a British citizen.

In Scotland you will need to apply for Adult Disability Payment (ADP) instead.

Crucially, you must also have a health condition or disability where you either have had difficulties with daily living or getting around – or both- for three months, and you expect these difficulties to continue for at least nine months (unless you’re terminally ill with less than 12 months to live).

Difficulties with daily living can include:

• Preparing or eating food
• Washing, bathing and using the toilet
• Dressing and undressing
• Reading and communicating
• Managing your medicines or treatments
• Making decisions about money
• Engaging with other people

PIP is a benefit you can claim at the same time as others, like Universal Credit.

However, you can’t claim PIP alongside the armed forces independence payment.

If you receive constant attendance allowance you will receive less of the daily living part of PIP.

If you get war pensioners‘ mobility supplement you will not get the mobility part of PIP.

How do I apply for PIP?

You can make a new Personal Independence Payment (PIP) claim by calling the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) on 0800 917 2222.

This is the Government department tasked with paying out benefits to millions every year.

There are also other ways to claim if you find it difficult to use a telephone. See Gov.UK for more information.

When you claim, you’ll need:

• Your contact details
• Date of birth
• National Insurance number
• Bank or building society account number and sort code
• Your doctor or health worker’s name, address and telephone number
• Dates and addresses for any time you’ve spent abroad, in a care home or hospital

Someone else can call on your behalf, but you’ll need to be with them when they call.

You’ll then be sent a form to fill in, after which you’ll be invited for an assessment or your health or social care worker will be asked for information.

After this, you’ll be sent a letter telling you if your claim has been successful.

You can read Citizens Advice’s help on preparing for an assessment.

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