Brits claiming Personal Independence Payments (PIP) may be affected if they go abroad for too long. The payments help people who struggle with daily tasks or getting around independently, due to health conditions or disabilities.
The amount is paid on a tiered basis, and it can be reduced or increased if you undergo certain life changes, such as needing less care or support at home. But if you leave the country or plan to do so for more than four weeks, it could impact your payments too. The Department for Work and Pensions need to know how long the holiday will last, and your arrival dates.
Guidance on GOV.UK said: “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 are planning to travel abroad this year, or are in the process of booking a holiday for more than four weeks, contact the DWP with the details.
You can contact the PIP enquiry line on 0800 121 4433 to report a change of circumstances. Lines are open from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.
Following the April increase, potential monthly payments increased to £778.40, for those who qualify for the highest rates for both the daily living and the mobility component.
The daily living component supports those who need help with everyday tasks due to their condition or disability, such as eating, washing or dressing, while the mobility payment supports those who struggle to get around independently.
The daily living component rose from £100.40 to £114.60 per week for the enhanced rate, and from £73.90 to £76.70 for the standard rate.
The mobility component rose to £80 per week for the higher rate, and £30.30 for the lower rate, up from £77.05 and £29.20, respectively.