The requirements for filing a claim have changed.
Those receiving Universal Credit may be eligible for a monthly payment of just over £600.
Over six million people in the UK are on Universal Credit, a benefit designed to assist those who are unemployed or have a low income with day-to-day expenses.
Personal Independence Payment (PIP) is a benefit for people aged 16 and under who are unable to work due to a long-term illness, disability, or mental health condition. It can help with daily living costs and mobility outside the home.
The most common misunderstanding about PIP is that it is only available to people who have outwardly visible physical, long-term health conditions, or disabilities.
The criteria for claiming the benefit, on the other hand, are constantly changing, and now include support for people with hidden conditions like stress, anxiety, and depression.
So, if your mental or physical health has been harmed in the last year – possibly as a result of the pandemic and subsequent lockdowns – it’s worth seeing if you’re eligible for PIP, which could pay up to £608 every four weeks.
With the £20 weekly uplift to Universal Credit ending in October and the furlough scheme coming to an end on September 30, it’s more important than ever that people are aware of additional financial support options.
PIP is claimed by over 2.64 million people in the UK, with monthly payments ranging from £94.80 to £608.60.
To be eligible for PIP, you do not need to have worked or paid National Insurance. It’s also not means-tested, so it doesn’t matter how much money you make, how much money you have in savings, or whether you’re employed.
To qualify for PIP, you must have a medical condition or disability that causes you to:
- For the past three months, I’ve had difficulty with daily living or getting around (or both).
- Expect these problems to last at least nine months.
You must have lived in the UK for at least two of the previous three years and be in the country at the time of application.
Here’s a quick rundown of PIP, including what it is, who qualifies, how much you could get each month, and how it’s calculated.
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What exactly is PIP?
PIP is a new benefit that is gradually taking the place of DLA (DLA).
You may be eligible for PIP if you require additional assistance due to an illness, disability, or mental health condition.
If you are 16 or older and have not yet reached State Pension age, which is now 66 for everyone in the UK, you could receive between £23.70 and £152.15 per week.
It’s important to remember that the amount you get is determined by how your illness affects you, not by the illness itself.
A health professional will assess you to determine the level of assistance you are eligible for, and your rate will be reviewed on a regular basis to ensure you are receiving the best possible care.
Who qualifies for PIP?
Additionally, if you receive or require assistance with any of the following as a result of your condition, you should consider applying for PIP:
- food preparation, cooking, or consumption
- taking care of your medication
- Taking a shower, bathing, or going to the bathroom
- putting on and taking off clothes
- interacting with others and communicating with them
- reading and comprehending written material
- making financial decisions
- preparing for a journey or following a path
- stepping outside the house
If you are terminally ill, there are special rules that can be found on the GOV.UK website here.
How is PIP Paid?
Unless you are terminally ill, PIP is usually paid every week.
PIP will be deposited into your bank account, building society account, or credit union account.
What are the payment rates for PIP?
You’ll need an assessment to figure out how much financial assistance you’ll get, and your rate will be reviewed on a regular basis to ensure you’re getting the right help.
The PIP is made up of two parts:
- Everyday life
- Adaptability
Whether you get one or both of these, and how much of each, is determined by how severe your condition is.
Depending on your circumstances, you will be paid the following amounts per week:
Day living
- £60.00 is the standard rate
- £89.60 for the enhanced rate
Mobility
- £23.70 is the standard rate
- £62.55 for the enhanced rate
What criteria are used to evaluate you
An independent healthcare professional will assess you to help the DWP determine the level of financial assistance you require, if any.
The DWP may invite you to participate in a telephone or video call assessment to ensure public health guidelines are followed during the pandemic, which will resume in May 2021.
How do you file a PIP claim?
You can start a new claim by contacting the DWP; the GOV.UK website has all the information you need to apply.
You’ll need the following items before calling:
- your contact information
- the year you were born
- On letters about taxes, pensions, and benefits, you’ll be asked for your National Insurance number.
- account number and sort code from your bank or building society
- Name, address, and phone number of your doctor or health care provider
- dates and addresses for any time spent abroad, in a care facility, or in a hospital
Once you’ve contacted the DWP, you’ll be sent a document to fill out that contains 14 questions as well as space for any additional information you believe is relevant to your claim.
The questions are designed to help the assessor understand how your condition affects you, so provide as much information as possible to assist the assessor in understanding your physical or mental health needs.
Visit GOV.UK for more information about PIP.