The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has figures that show that 2.7 million people in the UK are currently claiming Personal Independence Payments (PIP).
PIP is a non-means tested, tax-free benefit and is available to eligible claimants in or out of work, and those in receipt of the benefit can get financial support between £23.70 and £152.15 every week.
PIP is paid every four weeks, so that amounts to between £94.80 and £608.60 each month completely tax-free - reports the Daily Record.
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Many people have not bothered to apply for the extra income as they assume that they may not qualify, but whether or not you are eligible depends on how your condition affects your quality of daily living, not the condition itself.
The benefit is designed to help people living with a long-term illness, mental health condition or physical or learning disability.
The main disability categories include:
- Haematological Disease
- Infectious disease
- Malignant disease
- Metabolic disease
- Psychiatric disorders
- Neurological disease
- Visual disease
- Hearing disorders
- Cardiovascular disease
- Gastrointestinal disease
- Diseases of the liver, gallbladder, biliary tract
- Skin disease
- Musculoskeletal diseas
- Autoimmune disease (connective tissue disorders)
- Genitourinary disease
- Endocrine disease
- Respiratory disease
- Multisystem and extremes of age
- Diseases of the immune system
The benefit is made up of two components, a daily living component and a mobility component, and each component has two payment rates - a standard rate and an enhanced rate.
The rates are as follows:
- Claimants who have "Limited ability to carry out daily living activities’" are paid the standard rate of the daily living component of £60.00
- Claimants who have "Severely limited ability to carry out daily living activities" are paid the enhanced rate of the daily living component of £89.60
- Claimants who have "Limited ability to carry out mobility activities" are paid the standard rate of the mobility component of £23.70
- Claimants who have "Severely limited ability to carry out mobility activities" are paid the enhanced rate of the mobility component of £62.55
If you are in receipt of PIP then you will also get a £10 bonus at Christmas time, which is paid automatically and doesn't affect any other benefits that you receive.
When the DWP decision makers receive your application, they will consider your application and mark it with a points system.
For the daily living component, they will consider preparing food, taking nutrition, managing therapy, washing and bathing, toileting needs, dressing and undressing, communicating verbally, reading and understanding, engaging with other people and making budgeting decisions.
For the mobility component, they will consider planning and following journeys and moving around outside the home.
You then need to score at least an 8 for the standard rate and at least 12 for the enhanced rate in both components.
If you want to apply for PIP, you can do so by contacting the DWP on 0800 917 2222 (textphone 0800 917 7777).
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