Personal Independence Payment

What is Personal Independence Payment (PIP)?

On 10 June 2013 Disabled Living Allowance (DLA) ended for new claimants and they now have to claim Personal Independence Payments (PIPs).

Personal Independence Payment (PIP) is a benefit for people aged 16 to 64 with a long-term health condition or disability. A long-term condition means one that is expected to last 12 months or longer.

PIP is made up of two parts known as components:

  • the daily living component
  • the mobility component.

You may be able to get one or both components.

Each component can be paid at one of two rates, the standard rate or the enhanced rate.

The process for claiming PIPs is different to the one that was used to claim DLA. The initial claim has to be made by telephone when a new claimant will be asked a number of questions. Claimants will need to have the information required to hand before they make the call to claim PIPs. If you do not have the relevant information the call will end and you will have to try again.

If you need help to make a claim by phone, contact us to make an appointment to help you. However, as the person claiming PIPs you will have to be present during the phone call. You will also need to bring all the information required with you.

Please check this list to make sure have all the necessary information to make a claim for Personal Independence Payment. Make sure that you can tick the necessary boxes.

1. Your full name, address and telephone numbers check box

2. National insurance number check box

3. Names, Addresses and Phone numbers for people who can best give advice about your condition: check box

For example:

G.P. check box Hospital Doctor check box Specialist Nurse check box
Community Psychiatric Nurse check box Occupational Therapist check box
Physiotherapist check box Social Worker check box Counsellor check box
Other support worker check box

4. Details of any tablets or medication you are taking check box

5. Account Numbers for your bank, post office or building society for potential future payments of PIP check box

6. Dates of any stay in residential care in the last 4 weeks check box

The information given over the telephone will be processed and if you meet these basic conditions, the DWP will ask you to complete a form describing how your health condition or disability affects you. This is called the How your disability affects you form. You can send supporting evidence to the DWP with the form if you have any. In most cases, you’ll also be asked to attend a face-to-face assessment with a health professional as part of the claiming process.

Getting PIP depends on an assessment of how your disability or health condition affects your ability to live independently by a health professional at a medical interview. They will look at your ability to carry out certain key activities of daily living and mobility, such as preparing food, washing yourself, communicating and moving around. This is the final stage of the claim process before a decision as to whether to award the benefit is made.

PIP is based on how your condition affects you, not on what condition you have, but special rules apply if you’re terminally ill. You’re treated as terminally ill if you’re not expected to survive more than six months.

PIP:

  • isn’t means-tested. This means it isn’t affected by any other income or savings that you have
  • is non-contributory. This means your entitlement doesn’t depend on the national insurance contributions you’ve paid
  • can be paid whether you’re in work or out of work
  • can be paid alongside other benefits
  • isn’t taxable
  • is administered by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP)
  • is intended to help with the extra costs of having a long-term condition. However, if you get PIP, you can spend it in any way you choose.

If you’re getting Disability Living Allowance (DLA)

If you’re getting DLA and you’re aged 16 to 64 on 8 April 2013 and your award comes up for renewal after October 2013, then you will be asked to make a new claim for PIP instead.

If you have an indefinite award you will be contacted between 2015 and 2018 and invited to make a claim for PIPs

If you’re a child

DLA is not changing for children under the age of 16 when PIP is introduced. If you’re under 16 and already getting DLA, you can continue to get it until you reach the age of 16. The DWP will contact your parent or guardian before your 16th birthday to let them know what you need to do and when to claim PIP if you wish to do so.

More about PIP for young people on the DWP website, at www.dwp.gov.uk

If you’re aged 65 or over

If you’re aged 65 or over on 8 April 2013 and you’re getting DLA, you can continue to get it for as long as you’re eligible.

If you’re aged 65 or over and not getting DLA, you may be able to get Attendance Allowance instead.

If you’re getting Attendance Allowance, you won’t be affected by the introduction of PIP.

More about PIP and DLA for people approaching age 65 on the DWP website, at www.dwp.gov.uk