The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has issued an update on when payments for PIP and Universal Credit could be paused. Personal Independent Payments (PIP) may be paused when someone is hospitalised and resume once the person is discharged. The information was revealed in a statement by Minister for Social Security and Disabilities, Sir Stephen Timms. It comes as they announced details of a digitial channel that will allow recipients of disability benefits, other low-income supports and the State Pension to report changes with ease, officials say.
However, Sir Timms stated that this system is "not expected to be complete for at least another 12 months". And it won't be extended to Universal Credit claimants. This could be due to the existing digital platform — the online journal — which allows claimants to communicate with work coaches and the DWP. The information came to light after Conservative MP Neil O'Brien asked whether individuals receiving disability benefits, or those on low or no income benefits can report a hospital admission via phone, or through a service similar to 'Tell Us Once'.
In response, Sir Stephen said: "For disability benefits, the usual route for the customer to notify us of a hospital admission is either via phone or in writing. Universal Credit customers can report a hospital stay via a phone call, they can also report it digitally via a journal message on their Universal Credit account or via a third party or supporter if consent has been given.".
