What is PIP Personal Independence Payment

I am writing this post as several people are not aware that they may claim PIP for those who do not know what PIP is, it is a Personal Independence Payment which can help with extra living costs if you have both:

a long-term physical or mental health condition or disability

difficulty carrying our certain everyday tasks or getting around because of your condition

It is available to people aged between 16 and State Pension age, even if you are working, have savings or are getting most other benefits.

PIP is made up of 2 parts – called ‘components’. The ‘daily living component’ is for the extra help you need with everyday tasks. This can include preparing food, washing, getting dressed or communicating with other people. The ‘mobility component’ is for the extra help you need getting around.

Who can claim PIP?

• People aged 16 or over
• People who have have a long-term physical or mental health condition or disability
• People who have difficulty doing certain tasks or getting around
• People who expect the difficulties to last for 12 months from when the difficulties started.

Are you eligible for the PIP daily living component?

You may be eligible for the PIP daily living component. However, first, you must be eligible for Personal Independence Payment (PIP). For this to be the case, you must have all of the following: Difficulty to achieve daily tasks, or have mobility issues that prevent you from moving around freely.

What does ‘Daily Living needs’ mean?

If you have Daily Living needs, you need help to carry out day-to-day tasks and to look after yourself, such as:

• Eating and drinking
• Washing and bathing
• Taking medication and managing treatments
• Going to the toilet and/or manage continence
• Dressing and undressing
• Communicating with others
• Reading and understanding information
• Socialising
• Handling money

What does ‘Mobility Needs’ mean?

If you have Mobility Needs, you struggle to get active on your own, including:

You need help to plan and follow a journey

You need help to move around

The above could be due to a physical disability, a mental health issue, a sensory impairment, or a learning difficulty.

The help you need for both Daily Living and Mobility needs could be walking aids, such as a walking stick or a guide dog. It could also be a person who carries out tasks for you or with you, takes you to places and/or goes along with you to make sure you keep safe.

Personal Independence Payment weekly rates

Daily Living component

Lower rate: £61.85

Higher rate: £92.40

Mobility component

Lower rate: £24.45

Higher rate: £64.50

PIP is paid every four weeks and the rate you get is reviewed regularly to ensure you are getting the right support.

You are eligible for the higher Daily Living rate if you have a terminal illness and are not expected to live for more than six months, but the mobility rate is still determined by your personal needs.

How to claim PIP

Once you make your Claim for Personal Independence Payment it can take up to four months for it to be paid. PIP cannot be backdated but your payments will start from the date you made your claim.

To begin your claim for Personal Independence Payment, begin by calling the DWP.

Before you call, make sure you have the following information at hand:

• Your full name and contact details, including your address
• Your nationality/immigration status
• National Insurance number
• Bank or building society account details
• Your GP’s and/or other health professionals’ contact details
• Information about your stays in hospital or residential care
• If you have been overseas for more than four weeks at a time in the last three years, have the details available e.g dates and destination of travel e.t.c.,

When you have all the relevant information, call the number the number below:

England, Scotland, or Wales: 0800 917 2222 (textphone 0800 917 7777).

You can also start your application by post by writing to:

Personal Independence Payment New Claims

Wolverhampton

WV99 1AH

Unless you have a terminal illness, you will normally have to have an assessment to complete your Personal Independence Payment (PIP) application. This allows you to talk about your condition and how it affects you.

There are a lot of free resources and information to support you when preparing for the assessment please take advantage of these useful resources see below:

PIP help to claim Citizens Advice

Many people who look after someone else, may not realise that they are a carer, and may be entitled to Carers Allowance.

If someone is looking after you, they may qualify for the allowance.

You may qualify for Carer’s Allowance if you:

Regularly spend at least 35 hours a week caring for someone. This can include physically looking after them, any tasks you complete for them, and any time you spend keeping an eye on them. If they don’t live with you and they visit, it can also include any time you spend preparing for their visit, cleaning up after they leave, and taking them back home.

Care for someone who receives:

• Attendance Allowance (any rate), the middle or higher rate care component of Disability Living Allowance,
• Personal Independence Payment (any rate),
• Armed Forces Independence Payment or Constant Attendance Allowance (at £75.50 a week or above)
• Earn less than £132 a week (after deductions). Money you get from personal or workplace pensions does not count as part of your earnings. If your income varies from week to week, for example, you are self- employed or work on a zero or low hours contract, the DWP will look at your average earnings from across the year to see if you earn less than £132 on average.
• Aren’t in education for more than 21 hours a week
• You normally live in England, Wales or Scotland.

Again, there are several resources that you may find useful when applying for Carers Allowance see below:

https://www.turn2us.org.uk/Benefit-guides/Carer-s-Allowance/What-is-Carer-s-Allowance