Wednesday 3rd May 2023
How the RAF Families Federation (RAFFF) helped a RAF family member overseas prove entitlement to Personal Independence Payment (PIP) whilst accompanying partner on an overseas assignment.
Armed Forces family member advised no entitlement to PIP whilst overseas
Our client, who had been claiming PIP for some time, was accompanying her partner overseas on an assignment. Whilst overseas she was informed of a review of her eligibility for PIP would be conducted in accordance with the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) policy of regular audit of benefits payments. The family member informed the DWP of her updated address and at this point was informed because she lived overseas she was no longer entitled to claim PIP.
Legislation identified to prove entitlement
Worried she would be unable to continue receiving her disability benefit due to accompanying her partner overseas, she contacted the RAF Families Federation. After further investigation our Finance Policy Advisor was able to identify the correct legislation that proves entitlement for Armed Forces family members accompanying an overseas assignment.
We advised the client she was able to challenge the decision made by DWP, by sending the legislation along with their PIP review form together with supporting evidence of being a member of an Armed Forces family.
Initial decision by DWP reversed
The client followed our advice and the DWP reversed the decision made in error and the PIP eligibility review was processed.
