Although millions of individuals apply for Universal Credit, if you are handicapped and under the age of 65, you may also be eligible for Personal Independence Payment payments.
If they qualify for Personal Independence Payment in addition to receiving Universal Credit, thousands of applicants may get an additional £156 each week (PIP).
According to the Department for Work and Pensions’ (DWP) most recent figures, 5.6 million individuals in the UK get Universal Credit, a benefit for those who are unemployed or have low incomes.
After reforms in November 2021 allow 500,000 more individuals to qualify for Universal Credit or Jobseeker’s Allowance, this number is anticipated to increase this year.
However, many applicants for Universal Credit may also qualify for PIP payments, which are now received by 3 million individuals.
A long-term sickness, disability, or mental health condition may necessitate the use of PIP, a benefit available to anyone over 16 who are not yet State Pension age. PIP may assist with daily living expenses and mobility requirements.
To be eligible for PIP, you do not need to have paid National Insurance taxes or worked.
It is also not means-tested, so it makes no difference how much money you make, how much money you have in savings, or if you have a job.
The most common myth regarding PIP is that the DWP will only provide the benefit to those who have physical, long-term health issues, or impairments that are obviously evident.
Actually, PIP is a benefit designed to help individuals who have a variety of “hidden” ailments, such as stress, anxiety, and depression.
You must have a medical illness or a physical or mental impairment that:
having struggled for three months with activities of daily life or mobility (or both);
Be prepared for these challenges to last for at least nine months.
Typically, in order to apply, you must be present in the UK and have resided there for at least two of the past three years.
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Who may get PIP?
Consider applying for PIP if you experience any of the following or need assistance with any of them as a result of your condition:
- putting on and taking off clothes;
- preparing, cooking, or eating meals;
- managing your medications;
- cleaning, bathing, or using the restroom;
- conversing and interacting with others;
- reading and comprehending textual material;
- making financial choices;
- organizing a trip or itinerary;
- and moving about.
If you are terminally ill, there are other restrictions that apply; you may discover them here on the GOV.UK website.
How is PIP funded?
Unless you are chronically ill, PIP is typically paid every four weeks; in that instance, it is paid weekly.
Your bank, building society, or credit union will receive PIP payments straight into those accounts.
Payment rates for PIP in 2022–2023
Your rate will be routinely evaluated to ensure you are receiving the proper support, and an evaluation will be required to determine the amount of financial assistance you will get.
PIP is composed of two parts:
- Mobility;
- daily living.
The extent to which your illness affects you determines whether you get one or both of these and how much.
Depending on your situation, you may get up to the following weekly payments:
Daily living
- Enhanced rate: £92.40;
- Standard rate: £61.85.
Mobility
- £24.45 for the standard rate;
- £64.50 for the enhanced rate.
How you’re judged
To assist the DWP in determining the kind and extent of financial assistance you may get, you will be evaluated.
The DWP now offers face-to-face evaluations for health-related benefits, including PIP, in addition to telephone, video call, and paper-based consultations.
How do you submit a PIP claim?
By contacting the DWP, you may submit a new claim. You can get all the information you need on the GOV.UK website here.
Prior to calling, you will require:
- your name
- address
- date of birth
- National Insurance number (found on correspondence about taxes, pensions, and benefits), bank account number, and sort code;
- your doctor’s name, address, and phone number;
- dates and locations of any stays you may have had overseas, in nursing homes, or in hospitals.
The DWP will give you a paper with 14 questions to complete once you’ve gotten in touch with them. There is room here for any other details you deem pertinent to your claim.
Give as much information as you can to assist the assessor understand your physical or mental health requirements because the questions are focused on how your disease affects you.
Visit GOV.UK here for more information on PIP.