Close to three million people in the UK are currently claiming financial support through Personal Independence Payments (PIP) as a result of mental health issues, long-term illness or disability. However, many others are putting off claiming for the benefit, wrongly assuming that they are ineligible to receive support.
PIP is a benefit which is delivered by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), with 2.9 million people in the UK currently able to access a whole range of additional assistance including Council Tax Reductions, benefit top-ups and free or discounted public transport. Of that total figure, 305,279 people living in Scotland are receiving financial support of between £24.45 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. Below are a list of 11 often mistaken myths that stop people applying for PIP.