PIP Change of Circumstances

When you are receiving Personal Independence Payment (PIP), it is mandatory to report any change in your personal circumstances to the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).

A change in circumstances can mean a variety of things, including but not limited to changes in your personal details, medical condition, or financial situation. It may affect entitlement and how much pip award you are given.

Not reporting these changes can result in you being paid the wrong amount, or even facing legal action. Here's a detailed explanation of what to do if your circumstances change while you are claiming PIP:

What does 'Change of Circumstances' Mean?

A 'change in circumstances' can encompass several things, for example:

Changes in Your Medical Condition: This could be an improvement or deterioration in your health condition.

Change of Address: Moving to a new house or changing your contact details.

Change in Financial Situation: This includes changes in your income, savings, or investments which might affect your entitlement to Personal Independence Payment (PIP).

Hospital or Care Home Stays: Being admitted to or discharged from a hospital, care home, nursing home or similar institutions for medical treatment.

Changes in Your Support Needs: Any change in the level of help or support you need in daily living or mobility.

Change in Legal Status: Changes such as getting married, entering into a civil partnership, or changing your name.

Change in immigration status: A change in your immigration status can affect your eligibility for Personal Independence Payment (PIP), as PIP is subject to specific residency and immigration requirements. See more below.

Reporting a Change in Circumstances

There are three easy steps to follow when you have a change of circumstances.

Step 1: Identify the Change

Firstly, identify precisely what has changed. It might be helpful to document the details, including the date the change occurred and how it affects your ability to cope with daily activities and mobility.

Step 2: Collect Relevant Documents

Gather any relevant documents or evidence that supports the change in your circumstances. For instance, if your medical condition has worsened, get a detailed report from your doctor. It's always helpful to include your national insurance number.

Step 3: Report the Change

You need to report the change to the DWP as soon as possible. As of my last update in September 2021, you can report changes by phone (the pip enquiry line) or by post. Here are the details, though you should verify this with up-to-date resources:

• Telephone: 0800 121 4433 (textphone: 0800 121 4493)
• Post: You can write to the DWP at the address mentioned in your decision letter.

Ensure to include your full name, date of birth, and National Insurance number in all communications.

If you need help reporting your personal details change speak to us or contact the DWP for further information.

Tips for Reporting Changes

Do it Promptly

It is critical to report any changes immediately to prevent any overpayments or underpayments.

Be Detailed

Provide detailed information about the change and its potential impact on your daily life and mobility. Be precise about when the change happened.

Keep Records

Keep records of your communications with the DWP, including dates, the information provided, and any correspondence received.

Seek Help

If unsure about how to report a change, seek advice from a welfare rights organisation or a solicitor who specialises in benefits.

Possible Outcomes

Once the change in circumstances is reported, several outcomes are possible:

No Change in Benefit: Sometimes the change may not affect your benefit amount.

Increase in Benefit: If your needs have increased, you might be entitled to a higher rate of PIP.

Decrease in Benefit: Conversely, if your condition has improved, your benefit might be reduced.

Benefit Stoppage: In some cases, the benefit might be stopped if you no longer meet the eligibility criteria.

It's crucial to report any changes in your circumstances promptly when you are claiming PIP. Failure to do so might result in legal action or adjustment in your benefits. Following the outlined steps will ensure that you navigate the process of reporting changes effectively, ensuring that you receive the correct amount of benefit that reflects your current circumstances. Always remember to verify the contact details and procedures with the latest resources before proceeding.

PIP Review

A change of circumstances may result in a review of your PIP award. Something simple like a PIP change of address is unlikely to warrant a full review by a health professional and is therefore unlikely to affect your pip claim for example, however, if your physical disability or ability to everyday tasks has changed then a review may be necessary.

It may conclude that the claimant's condition has worsened and they can still claim pip but possibly at an enhanced rate.

For example, if your condition means you now struggle preparing food and this is having an adverse affect on daily living then need to report this change. The PIP reviewer will consider if you need more or less help to carry out a daily task or take a longer or shorter time to do so. This is part of the daily living component of PIP. As well as the daily living component, there is also the pip mobility component which considers your ability to carry out mobility tasks.

Make sure you let the DWP know how your disability affects you on the 'how the disability affects you form'. You may then need to go for another assessment by a medical professional.

What Happens if I go Into Hospital?

When someone claiming Personal Independence Payment (PIP) goes into hospital, there are certain steps they must take, and their payments might be affected depending on the length of their stay. Here’s what your reader needs to know:

Inform the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP)

The claimant must inform the DWP if they go into hospital. This is a key part of the duty to report any changes in circumstances, including admission to hospital or a care facility. Not reporting this could lead to overpayments, which would need to be repaid later.

How Payments Are Affected

Stays of less than 28 days: If a claimant is in hospital for less than 28 days, their PIP payments will continue as usual.

Stays of 28 days or more: After 28 days of being in hospital, PIP payments are usually suspended. This is because PIP is designed to help with the additional costs of living independently with a disability, and when you’re in hospital, these costs are often covered by the NHS.

The 28-day rule applies whether the stay is continuous or multiple shorter stays that add up to 28 days within a 12-month period.

Linked Periods

If the person leaves the hospital but is readmitted within 28 days, the periods are linked. This means that their time in hospital will accumulate, and if it exceeds 28 days in total, payments will be paused.

When Payments Resume

Once the person is discharged from the hospital, PIP payments typically resume from the day after they leave. The claimant should notify the DWP about their discharge so payments can restart promptly.

Special Cases

Terminally Ill Claimants: If the claimant is terminally ill (and claiming under the special rules for terminal illness), their PIP payments are not affected by hospital stays.

Care Homes

If the claimant moves into a care home, similar rules apply, but payments for the daily living component of PIP may stop after 28 days, while the mobility component can continue.

I have Reached State Pension Age

When PIP claimants reach State Pension age, they can continue to receive PIP as long as they were already claiming it before reaching that age and still meet the eligibility criteria.

PIP does not automatically stop at State Pension age, unlike some other benefits.

However, if someone hasn't claimed PIP before reaching State Pension age, they can no longer make a new claim for PIP. Instead, they may be eligible for Attendance Allowance, which is designed for older people who need help with personal care due to a disability or health condition.

It is still very important to report a change of circumstances to the DWP if you have reached the state pension age and are still claiming PIP.

PIP and Residency Changes

A change in your immigration status can affect your eligibility for Personal Independence Payment (PIP), as PIP is subject to specific residency and immigration requirements. Here's how it might affect your claim:

Habitual Residence Test

To qualify for PIP, you must pass the "habitual residence test," which means you need to prove that the UK is your main home and that you plan to stay here long-term. If your immigration status changes in a way that affects your right to reside or live in the UK, it could impact your eligibility.

Right to Reside

If your change in immigration status affects your right to reside in the UK (e.g., if your visa or right to live in the UK is revoked or expires), this could lead to the suspension or termination of your PIP claim. Only people with certain immigration statuses, such as British citizens, EU citizens with settled status, or others with indefinite leave to remain, are typically eligible for PIP.

Temporary Leave or Time-Limited Visas

If your immigration status changes from indefinite leave to remain to a temporary status or a visa with restrictions, you may no longer meet the residence criteria required for PIP.

Absence from the UK

Changes in your immigration status that result in long-term absences from the UK could also affect your eligibility, as there are rules about how long you can be outside the country and still receive PIP.

Reporting Changes

You must report any changes in your immigration status to the DWP as a part of your duty to inform them of any changes that could affect your claim. Failure to do so could lead to overpayments or penalties.

It's advisable to seek legal or professional advice if your immigration status changes and you are unsure how it may affect your benefits.

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