Hi, my name is Sassynan! OR Elaine. How can I call PIP from abroad?

Sassynan

Hi. I am the appointee for my son who has several physical and mental disorders and is parent to a son who has autism and has been on DLA, but has now having to claim PIP due to his age. They live in Devon and i live in suffolk, but they both have nobody they can ask to help near where they live. They have been let down by every services they have been in touch with, hence me taking the job on, even though I'm 70 years old. We have done all the paperwork in March and I received a

Sassynan

text on 12th March to say they were assessing the claim. So I have had problems with my very elderly parents for 2 years now and buried my father late February and then had to concentrate on my mother's health issues. So finally my partner and I came abroad for a well earned rest to his apartment. Now I have received texts telling me that I am getting a call for the assessment on the 5th June and my flight back is not due till 12th june. I have spoken on WhatsApp with my son, which is how I contact friends and family as a mobile package is too expensive for the usual length of time we are away. I asked him to call the number on my text to explain about needing to cancel and rebook the appointment, but was told that they couldn't do it as he is not the appointee. He even asked the lady to make a note that he'd asked to cancel and she kept saying she had to receive a call from the appointee to do that, even though he'd told her that I can't get through to anyone from abroad. I have been online into the website they provide to see if there is an email or other message service. I saw that there is one for sight and hearing difficulties, but that one, you have to dial a 5 figure number and then the full 0800 number afterwards. I did this and it cut off the call.(presumably because I'm abroad)

So then i have just signed up to a weeks contract via my mobile and still my calls to every number I've tried to contact. I cannot reply direct to the texts sent, I have to ring. And all calls from me are cut off. I am allowed to be abroad as I'm not on benefits, so please can somebody tell me how I can cancel this appointment, otherwise my grandson will lose his PIP claim. Tha k you

Rosie_Scope

Hi @Sassynan, that sounds like a really stressful situation. Sorry to hear this has taken over what sounds like a much needed restful holiday. I'm not too familiar with how you might make a call to PIP from abroad so I hope our members might have some ideas. But when you're trying to make calls on your mobile do you use the country code?

For the UK's country code you'd put +44 instead of 0. So for example, the PIP enquiry line you could try +44 800 121 4433. If your mobile doesn't work for this, is there a landline phone that you might be able to use somewhere? Nearby hotels might be able to help you make an international call if you explain how difficult the situation is.

Hope you're able to find a solution soon!

Sassynan

Yes I have used the +44, but it cuts off after one ring

Sassynan

Nobody has a landline on our complex, only mobiles

OverlyAnxious

Hi,

Which country are you in? Is there a British Embassy nearby? They might help with this sort of thing.

Rosie_Scope

Yes the Embassy might be a good shout if it's nearby @Sassynan.

You could also try the PIP international new claims line to see if they can put you through to a different team or help in any way. The number for that is: +44 191 218 7766

Another thing to look into might be whether you can make a WiFi call from your mobile rather than using your mobile's normal calls service. There's a guide on how to do this for Apple phones and Android phones. Sometimes WhatsApp will let you make calls too, so that might be worth a try.

Hope you're managing to enjoy some relaxation time despite the stress of all this!