The Department for Work and Pensions is facing calls to review Personal Independence Payment claims from 2,244 people who live abroad but still receive the disability benefit from UK taxpayers. The so-called 'Costa Del Dole' rule allows Britons who have moved to the European Union to claim PIP while residing in foreign villas.
Breakdown of claimants abroad
Data shows that among the 2,244 PIP claimants in the EU, the largest group – 1,001 people – receive payments for musculoskeletal diseases. Psychiatric disorders account for 414 claimants, while 60 have respiratory conditions and 79 suffer from hearing and visual disorders.
Political reaction
Former Conservative Party leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith told The Sun: “These claims need to be reviewed, and the Government must look at whether it can reform the system.” He added: “If you choose to live abroad, and work abroad, because PIP is not work-related, you could be earning a significant salary while getting this benefit. This was not as much of a problem as before Covid, but the number of cases have gone up significantly.”
Rules for claiming benefits abroad
Different benefits have different rules. You may be able to claim some benefits abroad, particularly if you are in a European Economic Area country or Switzerland. You can claim Attendance Allowance, PIP, and Disability Living Allowance only if you are going abroad temporarily. You can keep getting Pension Credit for up to four weeks if, at the start of your trip, you do not plan to be away for more than four weeks.
Independent Age explains: “If you’re going abroad temporarily and you’ll be away for four weeks or more, you need to tell the relevant benefit office the details before you go. If you are away for longer than expected, you can keep claiming these benefits for up to 13 weeks. If you’re going abroad for medical treatment, this might be extended to 26 weeks. If you’re moving permanently to an EEA country or Switzerland, you may be able to claim these benefits if you’ve paid enough National Insurance and meet certain other conditions.”
Government response
A DWP spokesman said: “Only a very small number of PIP claimants are currently living abroad. We’re fixing the broken system we inherited by creating a welfare state that works for disabled people and taxpayers and have launched the Timms Review to make sure PIP is fit and fair for the future.”
