Overview
- The DWP says claimants could face a penalty or court action if they give wrong information or fail to report changes straight away, directing people to the PIP enquiry line on 0800 121 4433 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm).
- Entitlement may change if support needs increase or decrease, if someone goes into an NHS hospital or a publicly funded care home, is detained in legal custody, or plans to be abroad for more than four weeks.
- Both PIP components generally stop after 28 days in hospital, the daily living component stops after 28 days in a publicly funded care home, and PIP ceases after 28 days in detention, with linked periods counted together.
- For overseas trips longer than four weeks, the DWP asks for the departure date, duration, destination and reason, as these details can affect eligibility.
- Bank account and representative changes must be reported with full details, while routine updates such as name, GP or address typically do not affect awards but should keep records current, and the DWP reports average helpline waits were just over 10 and a half minutes in September.