Key PIP adjustments you should report back to DWP or threat dropping your advantages

On Apr 13, 2025

Guidance has been issued on all the changes that must be reported by people who get PIP payments from the Government or they risk the Department for Work and Pensions stopping payments

Linda Howard Money and Consumer Writer, Kieran Isgin Money & Lifestyle writer and Andrew Nuttall U35 Lifestyle Writer

15:54, 13 Apr 2025

Guidance has been issued to anyone who gets PIP payments about what extra information they need to disclose to the DWP(Image: Vadym Pastukh via Getty Images)

People who get Personal Independence Payments (PIP) might find their funds blocked if they don’t share certain details with the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). Making sure that the DWP has all the latest information on file can help you avoid being cut off from support.

It’s essential to know that updates like a change of name, healthcare provider, or address aren’t required to be reported and won’t affect your benefits. However, it’s a good idea to keep the DWP informed so records remain accurate.

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A potential pitfall is leaving (or planning to leave) the UK for more than four weeks, including holidays, as this could alter your entitlement.

According to advice in the latest PIP Handbook found on GOV.UK, the DWP “need to know” the date you are leaving the country, how long you are planning to be out of the country, which country you are going to and why you are going abroad.

The Department for Work and Pensions is responsible for processing PIP payments – but will need to know about any life changes(Image: TkKurikawa via Getty Images)

So, particularly with the summer holiday season approaching, it is best to let the DWP know about any extended travel plans you have. Acting sooner rather than later should protect your benefits, reports the Daily Record.

To communicate a change in your situation to the DWP, simply call the PIP enquiry hotline at 0800 121 4433 between 9am and 5pm on weekdays. For those seeking further detail on what changes need to be disclosed to the DWP, here’s a detailed guide on the matter.

Changes to daily living or mobility needs:

You should inform the DWP if, for instance, you require more or less assistance or support, or if your condition is expected to last longer or shorter than previously reported to the DWP. This alteration could impact your PIP entitlement, 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 could affect the claimant’s PIP entitlement. The DWP needs to know the date the claimant is leaving the country, how long they plan to be out of the country, which country they are going to, and why they are going abroad.

Stays in hospital or similar institutions:

According to DWP guidelines, both components of PIP stop being payable 28 days after the claimant is admitted to an NHS hospital. Privately funded patients are not affected by these rules and can continue to receive 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.

The DWP needs to know about hospital stays and care home arrangements(Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Care homes:

The daily living component of PIP stops being payable after 28 days of residency in a 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 fully self-fund their care home placement are not affected by these rules. If a claimant is in a care home at the date of entitlement, the PIP daily living component is not payable until they leave.

Hospital stays and care home stays are linked if the gap between them is no more than 28 days. The daily living component for spells in a care home is also linked if the gap between them is no more than 28 days.

There is no link for the mobility component because payment is not affected when in a care home. Both components of PIP will stop being 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 moves between a hospital and care home, or vice versa, these periods will also link.

Imprisonment or detained in legal custody:

This change may affect the amount of PIP that can be paid to the claimant if they are imprisoned or held in legal custody. The DWP needs to know the date the claimant was taken into prison or legal custody and the length of time they are expected to be there, if known.

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 an individual. Two or more separate periods in legal custody link if they occur within a year of each other.

The DWP needs to know if you’ve been taken into prison or legal custody(Image: Getty)

Change of account PIP is paid into or person acting for the claimant:

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.

Changing who can act on behalf of the claimant (such as someone who has power of attorney) is important to flag with the DWP. This is so the depeartment can make payments to the correct person at the right 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 name,

This alteration will not impact payment or eligibility for PIP, but it’s crucial that the DWP has the most current details for the claimant. This change must be reported in writing – if the claimant phones to provide these details, the DWP will request that these details be put in writing.

The written notification should include:

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

A young man is sitting on the stairs looking at his mobile phone screen

People on PIP could see payments stop if these changes are not reported to DWP(Image: Getty )

Provided it’s not a hospital or nursing home, swapping addresses will not affect eligibility or payment of PIP. It is crucial that the DWP has the most current details for the claimant. They require complete information about the new address the claimant has moved to, including the postcode and the date they moved.

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Swapping to a new doctor also should not impact payment or eligibility for PIP and isn’t mandatory once a decision on the PIP claim has been made. However, if the change occurs during the claiming stage, it is vital the DWP has the most recent information.

This will ensure the assessment provider has the correct contact details to collect any additional details they may need. The DWP needs the full name, address and contact details of the new doctor or health care professional.