The Department for Work and Pensions has confirmed that Personal Independence Payment (PIP) claims are stopped when claimants are abroad for more than 13 weeks. The 13-week period, roughly three months, applies to any absence from Great Britain, which covers England, Wales and Scotland. If the leave is specifically for medical treatment, the allowance extends to 26 weeks.
Citizens Advice, the charity that provides guidance on benefits, states that the DWP will usually stop your PIP if you leave Great Britain for more than 13 weeks. For medical treatment abroad, the threshold is 26 weeks. The charity emphasises that Great Britain includes England, Wales and Scotland, and that these rules apply to all three nations.
Claimants must reapply after returning
Citizens Advice adds: “If the DWP stop your claim because you go abroad, you’ll need to make a new claim when you come back to Great Britain. Check how to claim PIP. It's worth telling the DWP if you're going abroad for less than 13 weeks, in case they try to contact you while you're away.”
The charity advises that even for short trips under 13 weeks, informing the DWP is prudent. This is because the DWP may attempt to contact claimants during their absence, and failing to respond could lead to unnecessary complications with the claim.
Who may still be eligible for benefits abroad
Certain individuals may continue to receive benefits while living in the EU, EEA or Switzerland. You or a family member may be able to claim benefits if you work in the UK or pay National Insurance in the UK because of work, have paid enough National Insurance to qualify for contribution-based benefits, are getting State Pension, Industrial Injuries Benefit, contribution-based ESA or bereavement benefits, and are covered by the Withdrawal Agreement.
It is not necessary to have claimed in the UK before moving abroad. However, you must be habitually resident in the EEA country or Switzerland, have a genuine link with the UK (for example, having lived or worked in the UK), and be covered by the Withdrawal Agreement.
Switching between PIP and Adult Disability Payment
For those currently claiming PIP or Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for adults who wish to claim Adult Disability Payment instead, the process involves contacting the Disability Service Centre. Conversely, if you currently claim Adult Disability Payment and want to claim PIP, you should contact Social Security Scotland.
Social Security Scotland can also be contacted if you are unsure whether you have a 'genuine and sufficient link' to Scotland. This link is a requirement for claiming certain disability benefits in Scotland.
Children's disability benefits and contact points
If your child is eligible, you can claim the care component part of either Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for children or Child Disability Payment, provided you have a 'genuine and sufficient link' to Scotland. The care component is a key element of these benefits, designed to help with the extra costs of caring for a disabled child.
For those currently claiming DLA for children who want to switch to Child Disability Payment, the Disability Service Centre is the contact point. If you currently claim Child Disability Payment and want to claim DLA for children, you should contact Social Security Scotland. Social Security Scotland also handles enquiries about whether you have a 'genuine and sufficient link' to Scotland.
