If you’re receiving Personal Independence Payment (PIP) and planning a holiday outside the UK for more than four weeks, it’s important to understand how that could affect your payments. Under current DWP rules, leaving the country for an extended period counts as a change in circumstances, and not reporting it could put your benefits at risk.

Let’s break down what the rules actually say, what you’re expected to do, and how to protect your PIP while still enjoying your break.

The Basics: How Long Can You Go Abroad And Still Get PIP?

You can usually continue receiving PIP if you’re abroad for up to four weeks (28 days) in a row. After that, your payments may be paused, especially if your reason for travel is a holiday or personal trip.

There are exceptions. For example, if you’re going abroad specifically to receive medical treatment, you may be allowed to stay away for up to 13 weeks without it affecting your PIP — or even 26 weeks in very limited situations, such as going abroad as part of an NHS-funded treatment programme.

But if you’re simply travelling for leisure or to see family, four weeks is generally the limit.

You Must Tell The DWP — And Here’s How To Do It

If you’re going abroad for any reason and expect to be away for four weeks or more, you’re required to notify the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) in advance.

You can do this by calling the PIP enquiry line on 0800 121 4433 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm). When you call, be prepared to share:

The date you’re leaving the UK
The date you plan to return
The reason for your trip
Where you’re going

The DWP may also ask you to confirm if your support needs will change while you’re away. It’s always better to give more detail than not enough.

What Happens If You Don’t Report It?

Not informing the DWP can have serious consequences. These include:

Your PIP payments being suspended
Being asked to repay any overpaid money
Facing a fraud investigation in cases where the DWP believes the omission was deliberate

In some cases, you may also be subject to a civil penalty of up to £5,000 if they believe you failed to report a change knowingly.

Even if your trip is only a few days over the four-week limit, it still counts. The safest approach is to be transparent and tell the DWP before you go.

What Happens When You Get Back?

Once you return to the UK, you should let the DWP know straight away. This will help ensure your PIP payments resume quickly. In most cases, as long as you’ve kept them informed and followed the rules, your benefit should restart without issue.

If there are any delays or problems, you can ask for a mandatory reconsideration or speak to an organisation like Citizens Advice or Scope for support.

Can You Still Travel At All?

Yes — PIP doesn’t stop you from taking holidays. The rules are there to make sure your eligibility remains consistent while you’re out of the country. If you’re going away for less than four weeks, and your disability support needs remain the same, you don’t usually need to report anything.

But if the trip is longer — or if your health needs change while you’re away — it’s worth telling the DWP just in case. It protects you from being accused of withholding information and gives you peace of mind while you’re travelling.

Quick Checklist Before You Travel

Planning to be away more than 4 weeks? Call the PIP helpline before you go.
Travelling for medical treatment? Ask if your trip qualifies for extended absence.
Take note of your departure and return dates — you may need them later.
If in doubt, ask — it’s always better to be safe than risk losing your benefit.

Final Thoughts

You deserve holidays. You deserve freedom. And you shouldn’t have to worry about benefits being unexpectedly stopped just for taking a break.

But the PIP four-week rule catches people out all the time. The best way to avoid that is to plan ahead, keep the DWP informed, and make a quick call before you go.

Accessibility doesn’t stop at borders — and you’re allowed to enjoy your life.

Sammi is autistic, has ADHD, and lives with POTS. She’s passionate about disability advocacy, accessibility, and creating spaces where people feel seen, heard, and understood. With a sharp sense of humour and a deep love for community, she speaks openly about the realities of being neurodivergent across all of her personal platforms, always aiming to challenge stigma, spark conversations, and remind others they’re not alone.

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