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The Department for Work and Pensions ( DWP ) has reaffirmed its commitment to addressing fraud and error in the benefits system, including recovering debts linked to Personal Independence Payments ( PIP ). Conservative MP Sir John Hayes recently questioned the DWP about steps being taken to "tackle people fraudulently claiming PIP". In a written reply, DWP Minister Andrew Western outlined new measures being introduced to "prevent fraud entering the system based on the types of cases and trends we have seen". This includes "introducing more rigorous checks for customers changing personal details, including bank accounts". Mr Western said: "DWP is committed to tackling fraud and error in the benefits system and to the recovery of debts, including those generated by Personal Independent Payments. Working closely with counter fraud experts, the DWP has introduced measures to prevent fraud entering the system based on the types of cases and trends we have seen." New DWP measures to tackle benefit fraud These include: Strengthening the Identity and Verification Process to prevent fraudulent cases entering the system Introducing more rigorous checks for customers changing personal details, including bank accounts Delivering awareness sessions for Case Managers and Healthcare Professionals, reinforcing action to take when suspicious cases are identified - for example, fake documents The Minister added: "DWP is delivering against key counter fraud activity, including investing in counter fraud professionals and building data analytical capabilities. The new Fraud, Error and Debt Bill will bring forward new measures to tackle fraud in the system. "Details on the measures the Government will be legislating will be presented to Parliament in due course." The DWP provides benefits to nearly 24 million people across Great Britain, including 3.7m on PIP, reports the Daily Record. The most recent DWP report indicates that £330m was lost to fraud and error in the PIP system last year, an increase from £90m in 2023/24. Fraud and error in the welfare system resulted in overpayments costing the taxpayer £9.5bn last year, a slight decrease from £9.7bn in 2023/24. This guidance on GOV.UK clarifies that this pertains to claims where all three of the following conditions are met: The conditions for receipt of benefit, or the rate of benefit in payment, are not met The claimant can reasonably be expected to be aware of the effect on their entitlement Benefit payment stops or reduces as a result of a review of the claim Claimant error These are overpayments where claimants have provided inaccurate or incomplete information, or failed to report a change in their circumstances which has led to an overpayment, but there is no evidence of fraudulent intent on the claimant's part. Official error This occurs when benefits have been paid incorrectly due to a failure to act, a delay or a mistaken assessment by the Department, a local authority or His Majesty's Revenue and Customs, to which no one outside of that department has materially contributed, regardless of whether the business unit has processed the information. PIP changes in circumstances There are several changes in circumstances that people receiving PIP must inform the DWP about or risk losing their benefit entitlement and having regular payments paused or stopped. It's crucial to note that changes such as altering your name, doctor, health professional or address do not need to be reported to the DWP and will not affect your payments or your award - but it is beneficial to ensure the details DWP holds on file are current. However, leaving the country or planning to leave the country for a period of more than four weeks - even just for a holiday - may impact entitlement. The current edition of the PIP Handbook on GOV.UK 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 over the next few weeks, make sure you contact the DWP with the details they have requested as soon as possible - and bear this in mind when booking summer holidays this year. How to report a change of circumstances to DWP To report a change of circumstances, contact the PIP enquiry line on 0800 121 4433 - lines are open from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday. Here is a comprehensive guide to all the changes in circumstances and whether you need to contact the DWP about them. Changes to daily living or mobility needs You should inform the DWP if, for example, you require more or less help or support or the condition will last for a longer or shorter time than you previously informed the DWP about. This change may affect entitlement to PIP, the amount and the period of the PIP award. Leaving the country or planning to leave the country for a period of more than four weeks - even if this is a holiday This change may affect the claimant's entitlement to PIP. The DWP needs 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. Stays in hospital or similar institutions DWP guidance states both components of PIP cease to be payable 28 days after the claimant is admitted to an NHS hospital. Privately funded patients are unaffected by these rules and can continue to be paid either component of PIP. If a claimant is in hospital or a similar institution at the date entitlement to PIP starts, PIP is not payable until they are discharged. The daily living component of PIP ceases to be payable after 28 days of residency in care home where the costs of the accommodation are met from public or local funds. The PIP mobility component can continue to be paid. People who fully self-fund their placement are unaffected by these rules. If a claimant is in a care home at the date of entitlement, the PIP daily living component is not payable until they leave. Linked spells in hospital and a care home Hospital stays are considered connected if the gap between them is no more than 28 days. Similarly, the daily living component for periods in a care home is also linked if the gap between them is no more than 28 days. The mobility component does not have this link as payment is not affected when in a care home. Both components of PIP will cease to be paid after a total of 28 days in hospital. The daily living component of PIP will stop being paid after a total of 28 days in a care home. If a claimant transitions between a hospital and care home, or vice versa, these periods will also be linked. Imprisonment or claimant held in legal custody This change could impact the amount of PIP that can be paid to the claimant. The DWP needs to be informed of the date the claimant was taken into prison or legal custody and the expected duration of their stay, if known. Detained in legal custody PIP stops being payable after 28 days where someone is being detained in legal custody. This applies whether the offence is civil or criminal and whether they have been convicted or are on remand. Suspended payments of benefit are not refunded regardless of the outcome of proceedings against the individual. Two or more separate periods in legal custody link if they are within one year of each other. Change of name This change will not affect payment or eligibility for PIP, but it is crucial that the DWP has the most current details for the claimant. This change must be reported in writing - if the claimant phones to provide these details, the DWP will request that they be put in writing. The written notification should include: Full details of their previous name Their new name Details of any changes made to the bank or building society account into which PIP is paid, such as the name of the account or the account number Their signature on the letter Change of account PIP is paid into The DWP requires full details of the new bank or building society, including the name and address, along with details of the new account including the name of the account, the account number and the sort code or roll number. Change of person acting for the claimant This refers to an appointee or someone with power of attorney for the claimant. This change is crucial so the DWP can make payments to the correct person at the right time. They need the full name, address and contact details of the new person who is acting for the claimant. If the person acting for the claimant has moved or has different contact details, the DWP simply needs the new details. Change of address Provided it is not a hospital or nursing home, this change will not affect eligibility or payment of PIP. It is important that the DWP holds the most up-to-date details for the claimant. They need full details of the new address the claimant has moved to, including the postcode and the date they moved. Change of doctor or healthcare professional This change will not impact payment or eligibility for PIP and is not mandatory once a decision on the PIP claim has been made. However, if the change occurs during the claiming stage, it is crucial that the DWP have the most current information. This ensures that the assessment provider has the correct contact details to gather any additional details they may need. The DWP requires the full name, address and contact details of the new doctor or health care professional. Full details about changes of circumstance if you are receiving PIP can be found in the online handbook here.
