More than 2,200 British expats living in European hotspots such as Spain, France, Italy, and Portugal are claiming Personal Independence Payment (PIP), a taxpayer-funded benefit, according to reports. The figure has nearly doubled from 1,203 before the COVID-19 pandemic, sparking fury among critics who argue the system is being abused.
Current Rules Allow Claims from Abroad
Under current regulations, individuals living in countries within the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland may be eligible for PIP if they meet specific criteria. These include having worked or paid National Insurance in the UK, receiving the State Pension, or being in receipt of other benefits such as Employment and Support Allowance or bereavement benefits.
Claimants can receive the daily living component of PIP, which ranges from £76.70 to £114.60 per week, paid by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). However, the mobility component of PIP or Disability Living Allowance (DLA) is not payable to those living outside the UK.
Former Minister Calls for Reform
Former work and pensions secretary Sir Iain Duncan Smith told The Sun that the claims need to be reviewed and the Government must look at reforming the system. He said: "It is completely unacceptable that taxpayers' money is being sent abroad to people who have chosen to leave the country. The system is clearly being exploited and needs urgent reform."
The DWP defended the current rules, stating that only a "very small" number of PIP claimants currently live overseas. A spokesman added: "We're fixing the broken system we inherited by creating a welfare state that works for disabled people and taxpayers and have launched the Timms Review to make sure PIP is fit and fair for the future."
Daily Living Component Only
Expats can claim the care component of DLA, the daily living part of PIP, Attendance Allowance, or Carer's Allowance. The care component of DLA ranges from £30.30 to £76.70 per week, while the daily living component of PIP is between £76.70 and £114.60 per week. These payments are intended to help cover the cost of cooking meals and supervision.
The Daily Express has approached the DWP to confirm the reported figures, which this publication has not seen. The newspaper also noted that landlords who fail to fix dangerous problems face fines of up to £7,000.
