Six major changes you DON’T need to report to the DWP if you claim PIP

MILLIONS suffering from long-term health conditions or disabilities get cash help through Personal Independence Payment (PIP).

The payments can be worth up to £172.75 a week, so if you don’t claim it already, check to see if you’re eligible.

PIP claimants must report certain changes in circumstances to the DWPCredit: Getty

To get PIP you must have a health condition or disability where you either have had difficulties with daily living or getting around and you expect these difficulties to continue for at least nine months (unless you’re terminally ill with less than 12 months to live).

But strict rules set out by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) which administers the benefit mean that claimants need to report a change in circumstances.

If you fail to report one of several changes in your own personal circumstances you could be forced to repay the cash you’ve been paid.

The DWP says that you could even be taken to court if you give the wrong information.

Thousands of hard-up households can get £500 in free cash direct to bank accounts

Huge change to benefits coming this year for 100,000s of people

You must contact the PIP enquiry line if:

Your personal details change, for example, your name, address or doctor
The help you need or your condition changes
Your condition has worsened and you’re not expected to live More than 12 months
You go into hospital or a care home
You go abroad
You’re imprisoned or held in detention
Your immigration status has changed, if you’re not a British citizen

But there are six major changes that you do not need to report to the DWP. You do not need to notify the DWP if you:

Start a new job
Stop claiming other benefits
Change roles at work – unless the amount of help you need has changed
Leave a job
Are made redundant
Take retirement

Who can get PIP?

PIP is available to those aged 16 or over but not yet at the state pension age.

The current state pension age is 66 but this is set to rise to 68.

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

The process is different in Northern Ireland, and there are additional rules if you live abroad or if 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

You can claim PIP at the same time as other benefits, except 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.

Do I have to be in work to get PIP?

No, you can get PIP whether you’re working or not.

You can also claim PIP if you’re already getting limited capability for work and work-related activity (LCWRA) payments if you claim Universal Credit.

Households eligible for LCWRA payments usually have a health condition which prevents or limits their ability to work.

How much do I get from PIP?

PIP is made up of two parts and whether you get one or both of these depends on how severely your condition affects you.

How much you get also depends on how your condition affects you.

You may get the mobility part of PIP if you need help going out or moving around. The weekly rate for this is either £26 or £71.

While on the daily living part of PIP, the weekly rate is either £68.10 or £101.75 – and you could get both elements, so up to £172.75 in total.

You’ll be assessed by a health professional to work out the level of help you can get and your rate will be regularly reviewed to make sure you’re getting the right support.

Payments are usually made every four weeks directly into your bank account, and they’re tax-free.

Just bear in mind that if you get PIP and constant attendance allowance or war pensioners’ mobility supplement, the daily living part of your PIP will be reduced.

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.