People who have asthma have been urged to check if they are eligible for money from the UK Government.
Anybody living with respiratory problems that affect their day-to-day lives may qualify for £128 a week from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).
New research from the DWP has revealed a rise in the number of people claiming the benefit for respiratory conditions such as asthma, Cystic Fibrosis, Sleep apnoea, chronic bronchitis, emphysema and pneumonia.
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As reported by The Mirror, there were almost 3 million people throughout the UK claiming Personal Independence Payment (PIP) at the end of January.
The benefit is paid every four weeks, amounting to payments of between £97.80 and £627.60 depending on which level of the benefit you qualify for.
UK breakdown of PIP claimants with respiratory conditions
- Scotland: 16,549
- England: 103,210
- Wales: 8,561
Read on for a full breakdown of the 24 respiratory conditions you may be able to claim PIP for.
According to the DWP, benefit rates are dependent on the condition itself, and claimants primary disabling condition is recorded during their assessment in over 99% of cases.
Diseases of the upper respiratory tract
- Sleep apnoea - obstructive
- Upper respiratory tract - Other diseases of / type not known
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
- Chronic bronchitis
- Emphysema
Bronchiectasis
Cystic Fibrosis
Asthma
Pulmonary fibrosis
- Extrinsic allergic alveolitis
- Fibrosing alveolitis
- Pulmonary fibrosis - Other / type not known
Pneumoconiosis
- Asbestosis
- Pneumoconiosis - coalworkers
- Pneumoconiosis - Other / type not known
- Silicosis
Granulomatous lung disease and pulmonary infiltration
- Granulomatous lung disease and pulmonary infiltration - Other / type not known
- Sarcoidosis
Disease of the pleura
- Empyema
- Pleura - Other diseases of / type not known
- Pleural effusion
- Pneumothorax
Lung transplantation
Heart and lung transplantation
Pulmonary embolus
Pneumonia
Lower respiratory tract - Other diseases of / type not known
If you are over 16 and under State Pension age, you may be able to claim PIP to help with a respiratory condition, and if your ability to work is limited due to your symptoms you could be eligible for ‘new style’ Employment and Support Allowance (ESA).
What is PIP?
PIP is intended to provide financial assistance to those with a disability or long-term physical or mental health condition.
Claimants undergo an assessment by a trained health professional to determine the level of benefit they qualify for, and their award is then reviewed to ensure they are getting the right level of aid.
Who is eligible for PIP?
In order to qualify for PIP, you must have had difficulties with daily living or getting around —or both — for three months and predict that these difficulties will persist for at least another nine months.
To be eligible, you usually must also have lived in the UK for at least two of the past three years and be in the UK when you apply.
Additionally, if you need help with any of the following tasks you may qualify 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 outside the home
Different rules are in place for those who are terminally ill, which you can find here.
The DWP will assess how difficult you find daily living and mobility tasks. For each task they will look at:
- whether you can do it safely
- how long it takes you
- how often your condition affects this activity
- whether you need help to do it, from a person or using extra equipment
How is PIP paid?
PIP is usually paid every four weeks unless you are terminally ill, in which case it is paid weekly.
PIP will be paid directly into your bank, building society or credit union account.
Adult Disability Payment will be paid at the same rates as PIP.
What are the PIP payment rates?
You will need an assessment to work out the level of financial help you will receive and your rate will be regularly reviewed to make sure you are getting the right support.
Payment rates increased by 3.1% on April 11.
PIP is made up of two components:
Daily living
Mobility
Whether you get one or both of these and how much depends on how severely your condition affects you.
You will be paid 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 are you assessed?
You will be assessed by an independent healthcare professional to help the DWP determine the level of financial support, if any, you need.
Face-to-face consultations for health-related benefits are offered alongside video calls, telephone and paper-based assessments - it's important to be aware that there is no choice here, it's up to the health professional and DWP.
How do you make a claim for PIP?
You can make a new claim by contacting the DWP, you will find all the information you need to apply on the GOV.UK website here.
