Cumbria Woman Accused of Failing to Declare Change in PIP Entitlement
A Cumbria woman is due to appear in court after being accused of failing to tell the Department for Work and Pensions that her care and mobility needs had improved.
Diane Richards, 57, of Mealo House, Allonby, has been charged with one offence of dishonestly failing to notify a change of circumstances affecting entitlement to a security benefit, advantage or payment.
The charge relates to Personal Independence Payment, known as PIP.
Richards is alleged to have committed the offence in Maryport between February 12, 2024, and February 23, 2025.
She is due to appear at West Cumbria Magistrates’ Court in Workington.
What Richards Is Accused Of
The allegation is that Richards failed to declare to the Department for Work and Pensions that her care and mobility needs had improved.
The charge claims this affected her entitlement to PIP payments.
PIP is a benefit designed to help people with the extra costs of living with a long-term health condition or disability. It is not based on income or savings, but on how a person’s condition affects their daily life and ability to get around.
People receiving PIP are expected to report changes in their circumstances if those changes could affect their entitlement.
Case Due Before Magistrates
Richards is expected to appear before magistrates in Workington, where the court will deal with the next stage of the case.
At this stage, the matter remains an allegation.
The court is expected to hear details of the charge and decide how the case should proceed.
No outcome has yet been reported.
Why Changes Must Be Reported
Benefit claimants are required to tell the DWP about changes that may affect what they are entitled to receive.
For PIP, this can include changes in care needs, mobility needs, health, daily living support or how a condition affects the claimant.
Failing to report a change can lead to overpayments and, in some cases, criminal charges if the failure is alleged to have been dishonest.
The case against Richards will now be considered by the court.
