PIP claimants ‘could be taken to court’ by failing to report changes to DWP – check now | Personal Finance | Finance
There are six changes in circumstance that require PIP claimants to inform the DWP or face serious consequences. By failing to report certain changes to the DWP, Personal Independence Payments (PIP) claimants could be taken to court or have to pay a penalty.
PIP is a benefit administered by the DWP and can help Britons with extra living costs if they have a long-term physical or mental health condition or disability which makes it difficult doing certain everyday tasks or getting around.
However, the benefit has strict criteria and there are certain changes claimants must report to avoid being landed with a hefty bill.
Britons must contact the PIP enquiry line if any of the following changes:
– Personal details change, for example name, address or doctor the help a person needs or their condition changes
– Their condition has worsened and they are not expected to live more than six months
– A person goes into hospital or a care home
– Individuals go abroad
– A person is imprisoned or held in detention
– Their immigration status has changed, if they are not a British citizen.
People could be taken to court or have to pay a penalty if they give wrong information or do not report a change in their circumstances.
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On the Government website, it suggests that claimants should include supporting documents if they have them with their application.
This includes documents such as prescription lists, care plans, or information from their doctor or others involved in your care.
Once the form has been completed, some people may need to have an assessment, if more information is needed.
During the assessment, a health professional will ask claimants about how their condition affects their daily living and mobility tasks and any treatments they have had or will have.
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When claiming, Britons will need to give information such as their contact details, for example telephone number, their date of birth, their National Insurance number, if they have one (this can be found on letters about tax, pensions and benefits) and their bank or building society account number and sort code.
As well as the examples given above, change in circumstances also includes if the claimant :
- Goes into hospital or a care home
- Goes abroad
- They’re imprisoned or held in detention
Their immigration status has changed, if they’re not a British citizen
Changes of circumstances can be reported by contacting the PIP enquiry line.
People should call the ‘PIP enquiry line’ if they need someone to help them make the changes.
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They can can receive anything from £24.45 to £156.90 a week.
So it is important for people to to be on top of their applications to avoid facing severe penalties.
If someone has been paid too much PIP, they may have to repay the money if they did not report a change straight away, gave wrong information or were overpaid by mistake.
For more information on PIP, Britons should visit the Government website.
As millions of Britons struggle to find the extra money to pay soaring bills, people are being reminded to check they are receiving all the help the benefits they are entitled to.
