Personal Independence Payments (PIP) could be available to people suffering with diabetes.
PIP is awarded to help cover the costs of daily living tasks or getting around outside the home as a result of a physical or learning disability, long term illness or mental health condition. The payment is issued by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and the latest figures released show there were almost 2.9 million claiming PIP by January 31, 2022.
The statistics show 33,498 of these people are claiming PIP for diabetes. People living with diabetes could be entitled to extra financial support of between £224.45 and £156.90 each week. The benefit is paid every four weeks so this amounts to between £97.80 and £627.60 every payment period - as The Daily Record reports.
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Breakdown of PIP claimants with diabetes
The DWP statistics also show there are 33,498 people in the UK claiming PIP for diabetes.
This includes:
- 3,578 claimants in Scotland
- 27,971 claimants in England
- 1,946 claimants in Wales
Diabetes conditions supported through PIP
- Diabetes mellitus Type 1 (insulin dependent): 10,741
- Diabetes mellitus Type 2 (non insulin dependent): 12,130
- Diabetes mellitus (category unknown): 10,637
Find out if you can claim PIP by looking at the criteria set out by the DWP below.
What is PIP?
PIP is a benefit which is gradually replacing Disability Living Allowance (DLA). If you need extra help because of an illness, disability or mental health condition you could be eligible for PIP.
You will be assessed by a health professional to work out the level of help you can get and your rate will be reviewed to make sure you are getting the right support.
Who is eligible for PIP?
If you are over 16 and under State Pension age, you could be eligible for PIP. You do not need to have worked or paid National Insurance contributions to qualify for PIP, and it does not matter what your income is, if you have any savings or if you’re in or out of work - or on furlough.
You must also have a health condition or disability where you:
have had difficulties with daily living or getting around (or both) for three months
expect these difficulties to continue for at least nine months
The DWP will determine the eligibility of your PIP claim on a period of 12 months, looking back for three months and forward for nine months - they must consider if your illness changes over time. You usually need to have lived in Scotland, or anywhere else in the UK for at least two of the last three years and be in the country when you apply.
PIP daily living and mobility test
If you get or need help with any of the following because of your condition, you should consider applying for PIP:
preparing, cooking or eating food
managing your medication
washing, bathing or using the toilet
dressing and undressing
engaging and communicating with other people
reading and understanding written information
making decisions about money
planning a journey or following a route
moving around
What is classified as ‘help’ for a PIP claim
You are classified as needing help to do an activity if you need a person or a device to:
Do it for you
Do it with you
Remind you to do it
Watch you do it to keep you safe
You may also be classified as needing help if you do an activity yourself but:
You are not safe
You cannot complete the task well enough
You cannot complete the task often
It takes you a long time
PIP test scoring criteria
The PIP scoring criteria awards points for a statement which applies to you for each activity. The DWP will decide which statement best fits your situation most of the time. You will get a set amount of points ranging from 0 -12 for each activity.
The total number of points you get for each group of activities will decide whether you are entitled to PIP, and how much money you will receive. To get the standard rate daily living component, you need to score between 8 to 11 points in total for the daily living activities. You need 12 points to get the enhanced rate.
To get the standard rate mobility component, you need to score between 8 to 11 points in total for the mobility activities. You need 12 points to get the enhanced rate.
How is PIP paid?
PIP is usually paid every four weeks unless you are terminally ill, in which case it is paid every week. PIP will be paid directly into your bank, building society or credit union account.
PIP payment rates for 2022
PIP is made up of two components - daily living and mobility.
You could receive the following amounts per week depending on your circumstances:
Daily living
Standard rate - £61.85
Enhanced rate - £92.40
Mobility
Standard rate - £24.45
Enhanced rate - £64.50
How you are assessed
You will be assessed by an independent healthcare professional to help the DWP work out the level of help you need. Face-to-face consultations are offered alongside telephone and video based assessments. All assessments will follow strict public health guidelines and put the safety of the claimant first.
How do you make a claim for PIP?
You can make a new claim by contacting the DWP, you’ll find all the information you need to apply on the gov.uk website here.
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 physical and mental health needs.
If you have difficulty filling in your form or understanding the questions, contact your local council and ask for help or Citizens Advice. For more information about PIP, visit GOV.UK here.
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