The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has launched a trial of a new online service for first-time Personal Independence Payment (PIP) claimants.
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.”
The initial trial of the ‘Apply for PIP online’ service launched on January 26 and will last approximately six months, it will cover the PIP claim and questionnaire forms using a new IT platform - it does not affect the policy, assessment or decision-making criteria, which remain unchanged.
DWP added that participation is voluntary and completing the application online will be completely voluntary.
The 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.
Of that total, 297,213 Scots are now receiving financial support between £23.70 and £152.15 every week (£94.80 and £608.60 each month), an increase of 5,113 claimants since July.
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.
How do I make a claim 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:
your contact details, for example telephone number
your date of birth
your National Insurance number - this is on letters about tax, pensions and benefits
your bank or building society account number and sort code
your doctor or health worker’s name, address and telephone number
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 Scotland.
We have a breakdown of all 14 questions here and you can take an anonymous self-test online at Benefits and Work to see how many points you could be awarded for each response.
How much PIP could I get paid and when?
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.
PIP payment rates until April 2022
PIP is made up of a combination of two components:
Daily Living
Mobility
Whether you get one or both of these and how much depends on how severely your condition affects you.
You will be awarded the following amounts per week depending on your circumstances:
Daily living
- Standard rate - £60.00
- Enhanced rate - £89.60
Mobility
- Standard rate - £23.70
Enhanced rate - £62.55
PIP payment rates from April 11, 2022
-
Daily Living Component
- Enhanced: £92.40
- Standard: £61.85
Mobility Component
- Enhanced: £64.50
- Standard: £24.45
Additional payment
If you qualify for PIP, you will also receive a Christmas bonus which is £10 each year - this is paid automatically and it does not affect any other benefits which you may be receiving.
For more information about PIP, visit GOV.UK here.
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