Brits Must Report These Changes to DWP – Or Risk Losing PIP, Pension & Benefits

As the festive season approaches, there’s an important reminder for millions of Brits: forget to tell the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) about certain changes, and your benefit payments could be reduced, paused – or stopped entirely.

It’s not just international travel that could impact your benefits. Something as simple as a hospital stay over Christmas could cause serious issues if you don’t report it. So let’s break down what you need to know to keep your payments safe.

Millions

Roughly 24 million people across the UK rely on some kind of financial support from the DWP. Whether it’s Universal Credit, State Pension, or disability-related benefits like Personal Independence Payment (PIP) or Attendance Allowance – these payments are often vital.

They help cover everything from groceries and heating bills to taxis, wheelchairs, home adaptations, and even mobility vehicles through the Motability Scheme. So having those payments paused without warning could be financially devastating.

Unfortunately, that’s exactly what could happen if you don’t keep the DWP updated on certain life changes – including where you’re spending your Christmas.

Warnings

One key situation that often catches people out? Hospital stays.

A lot of people don’t realise that just one overnight stay in hospital – even over Christmas – needs to be reported. And if you don’t inform the DWP, they might suspend or stop your payments.

According to DWP rules, you must notify them if:

• You go into hospital or a rehabilitation centre for at least one night
• You go into a care home
• You miss a Jobcentre Plus appointment because of a medical reason or hospital visit

Even if you’re discharged quickly, not reporting it can lead to your benefits being flagged or frozen. The DWP clearly warns on GOV.UK: “Your claim might be stopped or reduced if you do not report a hospital stay.”

Notifications

Not everyone is in a position to make a call while in hospital – especially after emergency admissions or surgery. Luckily, a trusted friend or family member can do it for you. If you’re the one calling on someone else’s behalf, be ready to give your own name and contact details too.

Here’s what you (or your representative) will need when notifying the DWP:

Information to Provide	Details Needed
Your full name	As it appears on the benefit claim
Date of birth	For identity verification
National Insurance number	Essential for locating the benefit claim
Partner’s details	If they’re included in the claim
Caller’s details (if different)	Name and contact details of representative

Admissions

When it comes to hospital stays, the DWP wants detailed, accurate information. You’ll need to provide:

• The exact date you were admitted
• The date you were discharged (if applicable)
• The name of the hospital
• The name of the ward (if known)
• Any transfers between hospitals during the stay
• Whether you’ve been re-admitted within the last 28 days
• Where you went after discharge – home, care home, etc.

All this information helps the DWP assess whether your payments need adjusting and ensures you’re receiving the right support.

Impact

It’s easy to assume that a short hospital stay won’t affect your benefits – but that assumption could cost you. Certain payments, especially disability benefits, are based on how much support you need. If the DWP thinks your circumstances have changed, they may lower or pause your payments.

And it’s not just one benefit. If you receive more than one type of support (e.g., PIP and Universal Credit), you might need to notify multiple departments. The GOV.UK site offers clear advice on who to contact depending on your benefit type.

So don’t wait. Even if it seems like a minor change, it’s better to report it than risk losing vital income.

FAQs