Some Personal Independence Payment (PIP) claimants will now be able to apply online as the DWP launches a new trial system.
Completing the application online will be completely voluntary, and it does not affect the policy, assessment or decision-making criteria, which remain unchanged, the DWP said.
The initial trial of the ‘Apply for PIP online’ service launched on January 26 and will last approximately six months.
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The DWP said: “The Health Transformation Programme is committed to introducing an online service to claim PIP and to safely test the service, a limited number of first-time claimants in England will be given the opportunity to claim through the new online channel.”
Latest figures from the DWP show that on October 31, 2021 there were 2.8 million people across the UK claiming support through PIP, with just over one in three claimants (35%) receiving the highest level of award.
The DWP announced that during the period between July and October 2021, it had received 180,000 registrations for new claims - the highest quarterly level of new claim registrations since PIP began in 2013, according to the Daily Record.
How can I make an application for PIP?
To start the process for making a new claim for PIP, phone the DWP on 0800 917 2222.
Before you call, you will need:
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your contact details, for example telephone number
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your date of birth
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your National Insurance number - this is on letters about tax, pensions and benefits
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your bank or building society account number and sort code
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your doctor or health worker’s name, address and telephone number
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dates and addresses for any time you’ve spent abroad, in a care home or hospital
Once you have contacted the DWP, they will send you a document to complete which consists of 14 questions and a section for any additional information.
The questions focus on how your condition affects you - put as much relevant detail in as you can to help the assessor understand your needs on a daily basis.
If you have difficulty filling in your form or understanding the questions, contact your local council and ask for help from social services or seek advice from Citizens Advice.
Once the health professional submits their findings from the health assessment, the DWP will look at all the evidence and make a decision on how much, if any, PIP to award you.
You will receive an ‘Award letter' which will outline which of the components you have been awarded and at what rate.
PIP is paid every four weeks into your bank account.
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