Alert as PIP claimants urged to contact DWP before going on holidays

You may not be aware of the rules around being on PIP when holidaying abroad - but they're something you should familiarise yourself with if you claim the benefit. If you are on Personal Independence Payments (PIP), you have to tell the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) about certain changes in your circumstances or you could risk losing your entitlement.

It's important to be aware that changes can affect your PIP award. Depending on the change, your PIP could go up, go down, stay the same or stop, says GOV.co.uk. You could be taken to court or have to pay a penalty if you give wrong information or do not report a change straight away. It is worthwhile ensuring the details DWP holds on file for you are up to date.

If you are planning on leaving the country for more than four weeks, this could impact your entitlement.

Guidance in the current edition of the PIP Handbook on GOV.UK for people planning to leave the country for more than four weeks, states: "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're due to travel abroad this summer, make sure you contact the DWP with the details they have asked for as soon as possible - and keep it in mind when booking holidays for later in the year.

You may be wondering how to report a change in circumstances to the DWP. 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, reports Daily Record.

There are several changes you need to consider telling the DWP about, from changes to daily living or mobility needs to holidays which are longer than a month.

You can check all information on the government website which tells you exactly which changes you will need to inform DWP of.

If you're heading on holiday this summer, don't forget to pass on all the information needed to the DWP before finding yourself stripped of your entitlement.