Although more than 2.8 million people in the UK currently receive Personal Independence Payment (PIP), thousands of others who are eligible are not claiming the benefit.
Many of these people may be due as much as £608 per month to assist with the cost of living.
PIP is intended for those who live with a health condition or disability that impacts their day-to-day life, as reported by the Daily Express.
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The specific amount claimants receive from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is dependent on the severity of their condition and the extent to which it impacts their ability to carry out everyday tasks.
New data reveals that 35% of people claiming the benefit receive the highest possible amount of money.
This comes to £608 per month, or £7,296 per year, for those claiming both the daily living and mobility rate.
How much PIP could I receive per week?
- Daily living - standard rate - £60.00
- Daily living - enhanced rate - £89.60
- Mobility - standard rate - £23.70
- Mobility - enhanced rate - £62.55
Over a million people claim PIP for mental health conditions such as anxiety, stress, and mood disorders.
Nearly a million others receive the benefit due to musculoskeletal conditions such as arthritis and those affecting muscles and joints.
Thousands of people claim the benefit on the grounds that they have neurological conditions such as epilepsy and multiple sclerosis.
People can also make a PIP claim if Covid-19 has negatively impacted the status of a previously diagnosed condition or disability.
The benefit is not means tested, meaning that income and savings will not influence a claim.
Applications will need to be assessed by an independent healthcare professional to help the DWP work out how much an applicant could be entitled to and could take up to six months.
Campaigners say people should be checking their benefit entitlement at least every six months.
PIP and Universal Credit could also mean people qualify for a Disabled Facilities Grant worth up to £30,000, a council tax reduction and the Motability Scheme.
Which conditions typically qualify for PIP?
- Malignant disease
- Skin disease
- Infectious disease
- Cardiovascular disease
- Gastrointestinal disease
- Haematological disease
- Diseases of the liver, gallbladder and biliary tract
- Respiratory disease
- Diseases of the immune system
- Musculoskeletal disease
- Autoimmune disease
- Genitourinary disease
- Endocrine disease
- Metabolic disease
- Neurological disease
- Visual disease
- Psychiatric disorders
- Multisystem and extremes of age
- Hearing disorders
