Those receiving Personal Independence Payments (PIP) must inform the (DWP) about any significant changes in their circumstances or they could risk having their benefits suspended or stopped.

It's worth noting that changes such as altering your name, switching doctors, health professionals or moving house do not need to be reported to the DWP and won't affect your - but it's always a good idea to ensure the DWP has your most current details on file.

However, if you're planning to leave the country for more than four weeks - even just for a - this could impact your entitlement.

The latest edition of the PIP Handbook on GOV.UK advises those planning to be abroad for over four weeks: "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."

So, if you're planning a trip abroad this summer, it's crucial to provide the DWP with the necessary information as soon as possible - and bear this in mind when booking holidays later in the year, reports .

How to report a change of circumstances to DWP

To , simply ring the PIP enquiry line on 0800 121 4433 - lines are open from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.

Here's what you need to know about all the and whether you need to contact the DWP about them.

Changes to daily living or mobility needs

You should inform the DWP if, for instance, you require more or less assistance or support, or if your condition will last longer or shorter than you previously informed the DWP. This change may affect your entitlement to PIP, the amount and the duration of the PIP award.

Leaving the country or planning to leave the country for more than four weeks - even if it's for a holiday

This change may affect your entitlement to PIP. The DWP needs to know when you're leaving the country, how long you plan to be out of the country, which country you're going to and why you're going abroad.

Hospital stays or similar institutions

states that both components of PIP stop being payable 28 days after you're admitted to an NHS hospital. Privately funded patients are not affected by these rules and can continue to receive either component of PIP.

If you're in hospital or a similar institution when your entitlement to PIP starts, PIP is not payable until you're discharged.

Care homes

The daily living component of PIP stops being payable after 28 days of residency in a care home where the accommodation costs are met from public or local funds. The PIP mobility component can continue to be paid.

Those who fully self-fund their care home placement are not affected by these regulations. If a claimant is in a care home at the date of entitlement, the PIP daily living component will not be paid until they leave.

Linked spells in hospital and a care home

Hospital stays and care home spells are linked if there's no more than a 28-day gap between them. The daily living component for spells in a care home also follows this rule.

There's no link for the mobility component as its payment isn't affected when in a care home. Both components of PIP will cease after a total of 28 days in hospital.

The daily living component of PIP will stop after a total of 28 days in a care home. If a claimant moves between a hospital and care home, or vice versa, these periods will also link.

Imprisonment or claimant held in legal custody

This change may affect the amount of PIP that can be paid to the claimant if they're imprisoned or held in legal custody.

The DWP needs to know the date the claimant was taken into prison or legal custody and the length of time they are expected to be there, if known.

Detained in legal custody

PIP ceases to be 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 benefits payments 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's crucial that the DWP has the most up-to-date details for the claimant.

This change needs to be reported in writing - if the claimant phones to give these details, the DWP will ask for these details to be put in writing. The written notification must contain:.

• 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 needs full details of the of the name and address of the new bank or building society 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 important so the DWP can make payments to the right 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 just needs the new details.

Change of address

Provided it's not a hospital or nursing home, this change won't affect eligibility or payment of PIP. It's crucial that the DWP has the most current details for the claimant.

They require complete 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 won't affect payment or eligibility for PIP and isn't mandatory once a decision on the PIP claim has been made.

However, if the change occurs during the claiming stage, it's vital the DWP have the most recent information. This will ensure the assessment provider has the correct contact details to gather any additional details they may need.

The DWP needs 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