PIP Claimant Responsibilities and Reporting Changes 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: How should a PIP claimant report a change in their circumstances to the DWP?
- By writing a formal letter only
- By contacting the PIP enquiry line or writing to DWP (Correct answer)
- Through their GP only
- Via the Universal Credit online portal
Correct answer: By contacting the PIP enquiry line or writing to DWP
Claimants can report changes by calling the PIP enquiry line or by writing directly to DWP — no single method is required but these are the primary channels.
Question 2: Which of the following changes in circumstances MUST a PIP claimant report to DWP?
- Changing their mobile phone provider
- Moving to a new address (Correct answer)
- Getting a new hobby
- Changing their diet
Correct answer: Moving to a new address
A change of address must be reported to DWP so that correspondence reaches the claimant and the correct locality details are held on record.
Question 3: After how many consecutive days as a free inpatient in an NHS hospital does a PIP claimant's daily living component generally get suspended?
- 14 days
- 21 days
- 28 days (Correct answer)
- 56 days
Correct answer: 28 days
The daily living component of PIP is suspended after 28 consecutive days as a free NHS inpatient, because the state is meeting the claimant's care costs.
Question 4: If a PIP claimant travels abroad temporarily, for how long can they generally continue to receive PIP without interruption?
- 4 weeks
- 8 weeks
- 13 weeks (Correct answer)
- 26 weeks
Correct answer: 13 weeks
PIP can continue for temporary absences abroad of up to 13 weeks, provided the claimant remains habitually resident in Great Britain.
Question 5: What may happen if a PIP claimant fails to report a change that results in receiving more PIP than they are entitled to?
- Nothing, as all overpayments are automatically written off
- They may be required to repay the overpaid amount (Correct answer)
- They automatically lose their PIP entitlement permanently
- They receive only a formal warning
Correct answer: They may be required to repay the overpaid amount
DWP can recover overpayments from claimants, meaning money received in excess of the correct entitlement must be repaid.
Question 6: Which component of PIP is NOT suspended when a claimant has been an NHS free inpatient for more than 28 consecutive days?
- Daily Living — standard rate
- Daily Living — enhanced rate
- Mobility component (Correct answer)
- Both components are suspended
Correct answer: Mobility component
The mobility component continues to be paid even after 28 days in hospital because transport needs are not met by the hospital stay.
Question 7: A PIP claimant's condition has significantly improved. What should they do?
- Wait for their planned review before informing DWP
- Report the change to DWP as soon as possible (Correct answer)
- Continue claiming at the same rate indefinitely
- Contact their GP to stop PIP automatically
Correct answer: Report the change to DWP as soon as possible
Claimants are legally obliged to report improvements in their condition promptly, as this may reduce or end their entitlement.
PIP Claimant Responsibilities and Reporting Changes 1
How should a PIP claimant report a change in their circumstances to the DWP?