Currently, around 3.5 million people are unable to work due to health problems or disabilities, meaning that more people than ever need financial help due to their condition. Thousands of people currently have to wait up to three months for an assessment, which can put them in a desperate situation.
It’s really important to be aware of the most common mistakes people make when trying to complete the application process to avoid being rejected at the end. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has recently published a series of four new videos about the Personal Independence Payment (PIP). These videos aim to help people understand what the benefit is, who it’s for, who can apply for it, and how to avoid mistakes during the application process.
Alongside these videos, an online document has been published outlining five key points people should know about PIP before applying. The DWP’s YouTube videos direct viewers to dedicated PIP pages on GOV.UK, where there is more detailed information, including the process for people nearing the end of life, the Daily Record reports.
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Those watching videos on the DWP’s official YouTube channel are advised to check the website to ensure they have full information on PIP eligibility before making a new claim. For tips on how to save money, sign up for our money newsletter here.
Here are the five most important things you need to know about PIP before filing a claim:
- Entitlement to PIP is not based solely on an individual’s health status or disability, but on the long-term impact that a health status or disability has on an individual’s daily life or mobility.
- To qualify for PIP, the impacts of a health condition or disability must have been present for three months and are expected to last at least nine more months.
- PIP applicants will undergo a functional assessment which will take into account how their health condition or disability affects 12 key daily activities that are essential to living an independent life.
- If a person can perform the mobility and daily living activities of the PIP safely, at an acceptable level, repeatedly and within a reasonable period of time, without the support of someone or without using equipment, it is unlikely They will receive PIP.
- When applying for PIP, people should provide all relevant information they already have about how their health condition affects them. This can mean that a health professional can assess the application using this information and does not need a face-to-face or virtual consultation, and a decision can be made more quickly. The DWP says that people should not request new documents for their application as these may attract a fee, for example from GPs.
12 PIP activities considered in the evaluation
- Preparing food
- Eating and drinking
- Treatment management
- Washing and bathing
- Management of health needs
- Dressing and undressing
- Release
- Reading
- Mix with other people
- Making decisions about money
- Go out
- Moving around
The DWP will assess how challenging daily living tasks and mobility are for you during the 12 PIP activities considered within the assessment.
For each task, the following will be examined:
- if you can do it safely
- How long does it take you?
- How often does your condition affect this activity?
- Whether you need help to do it, from a person or by using additional equipment
PIP payment rates
Successful PIP claims can result in additional financial support of between £28.70 and £184.30 per week. As the benefit is paid every four weeks, this amounts to between £114.80 and £737.20 for each payment period.
Depending on your circumstances, you will be paid the following amounts per week:
Daily life
- Standard rate: £72.65
- Improved rate: £108.55
Mobility
- Standard rate: £28.70
- Improved rate: £75.75
How is it evaluated?
For PIP, an independent healthcare professional will assess you to help the DWP determine the level of financial support, if any, you need.
Face-to-face consultations are offered for health-related benefits along with video calls, telephone and paper assessments. It is important to note that there is no choice, it is up to the health professional and the DWP. You can find out more about DWP PIP assessments here.
How to make a PIP claim?
You can make a new claim by contacting the DWP. You will find all the information you need to make the claim on the GOV.UK website here.
Before you call, you will need:
- your contact details.
- your date of birth.
- Your National Insurance number: This appears on tax, pension and benefit letters.
- your bank or credit union account number and sort code.
- The name, address and telephone number of your doctor or health care professional.
- dates and addresses of any period spent abroad, in a nursing home or in hospital.
Even if you don’t qualify for financial help, you may be eligible for a National Travel Card, which offers free or reduced-price travel around Scotland on most public transport connections. For more information on PIP, visit GOV.UK and click here.
