The Scottish Government has launched a new campaign to raise awareness of the bowel conditions Crohn’s and Colitis after a study showed that case numbers are rising. Over 50,000 people in Scotland are living with these long-term conditions - commonly referred to as Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) - which inflame the gut.
The campaign comes as research from Crohn’s and Colitis UK suggests the rates of IBD are higher than previously thought, with Scotland found to have the highest rates in the UK. Symptoms include a sore stomach, recurring diarrhoea, weight loss and extreme tiredness, which if not treated can lead to complications.
If you are living with either of these conditions, or any of the 25 gastrointestinal health conditions, you could be due extra financial support to help with daily living costs or mobility needs. Figures from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) show that at the end of January 2023, some 13,528 adults in Scotland, England and Wales were receiving support for Crohn’s and Colitis through Personal Independence Payment (PIP) or Adult Disability Payment (ADP).
The campaign was recently launched by former Health and Social Care Minister, now First Minister, Humza Yousaf. He said: “Raising awareness of Crohn’s and Colitis is crucial to ensure we can get people diagnosed as early as possible, and give them the right care and treatment. This will help them to get the best support, make informed choices about their diet - and live their lives to the full.”
Sarah Sleet, CEO of Crohn’s and Colitis UK said: “We know that there are over 50,000 people in Scotland living with Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis but too many take too long to get diagnosed. For one in four, it’s over a year and nearly half of them end up in A&E in the meantime.
“Recognising the symptoms of Crohn’s and Colitis, which are widely misunderstood, and having the confidence to talk to a healthcare professional are the first steps on the path to a diagnosis.”
He added: “We’re thrilled that the Scottish Government is leading the rest of the UK in raising public awareness of Crohn’s and Colitis, to improve the lives of everyone affected. Our message is simple: if you have frequent diarrhoea, stomach pain or blood in your poo, don’t suffer in silence, go and see your GP. The earlier you find out what’s wrong, the sooner you can get the help you need."
Financial support for health conditions
From April 10, a successful claim for PIP or ADP will be worth between £26.90 and £172.75 each week in additional financial support and as the benefit is paid every four weeks, this amounts to between £107.60 and £691.00 every payment period.
Some 547 health conditions are being supported by PIP or ADP and the latest figures from DWP indicate that there are now 29,050 people receiving support for 25 types of gastrointestinal conditions including Colitis, Coeliac disease, Crohn’s disease and Irritable Bowel Syndrome.
Many people may be put off claiming PIP or ADP as they do not think their condition will qualify, but it’s essential to understand that it is how the condition affects you in your day-to-day life that determines the level of financial support you are awarded.
Breakdown of PIP claimants with gastrointestinal conditions
- Scotland : 3,163
- England : 23,720
- Wales : 2,157
- Total : 29,050
It's also worth noting that there are 9,567 people claiming PIP or ADP for Crohn’s disease and 3,962 fo Ulcerative colitis.
Below is the list of 25 gastrointestinal conditions being supported through PIP and ADP to help with either daily living, mobility needs or a combination of both components. Assessment award rates vary by disabling condition and a PIP claimant’s main disabling condition is recorded during their assessment in over 99 per cent of cases, reports the DWP.
Diseases of the oesophagus, stomach and duodenum
- Hiatus hernia / gastroesophageal reflux disease / reflux oesophagitis
- Oesophageal varices
- Oesophagus, stomach and duodenum - Other diseases of / type not known
- Peptic ulcer (gastric and duodenal)/gastritis
Diseases of the small bowel
- Coeliac disease
- Small bowel - Other diseases of / type not known
Inflammatory bowel disease
- Crohn’s disease
- Ulcerative colitis
Diseases of the colon
- Colon - Other diseases of / type not known
- Constipation
- Diverticular disease / diverticulitis
Diseases of the rectum and anus
- Anorectal abscess
- Fistula in anus
- Haemorrhoids
- Rectal prolapse
- Rectum/anus - Other diseases of / type not known
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
Benign tumours of the gastrointestinal tract
Abdominal hernias
- Hernia
Congenital disorders of the GI tract
- Cleft lip
- Cleft lip with cleft palate
- Hirschprung Disease
- Tracheo-oesophageal fistula/atresia
Other diseases of the gastrointestinal tract
- Attention to artificial opening colostomy/ileostomy/ stoma - no underlying diagnosis
- Gastrointestinal tract - Other diseases of / type not known
What is PIP?
PIP is a benefit which is gradually replacing DLA. If you need extra help because of an illness, disability or mental health condition you could be eligible for PIP. If you are over 16 and under State Pension age, you may be able to claim PIP to help with a health 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).
Even though PIP is being replaced in Scotland by Adult Disability Payment, it will follow the same eligibility criteria, but take a more ‘people-centric’ approach, according to Social Security Scotland. You will be assessed by a health professional to work out the level of help you can get and your rate will be reviewed to make sure you are getting the right support.
Who is eligible for PIP or ADP?
To be eligible for PIP or ADP, you must have a health condition or disability where you:
have had difficulties with daily living or getting around (or both) for 3 months
expect these difficulties to continue for at least 9 months
You usually need to have lived in the UK for at least two of the last three years and be in the country when you apply.
In addition to what we have outlined above if you get or need help with any of the following because of your condition, you should consider applying for PIP or ADP.
- 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
There are different rules if you are terminally ill, you will find these on the GOV.UK website here.
DWP or Social Security Scotland 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 are PIP and ADP paid?
PIP and ADP are usually paid every four weeks unless you are terminally ill, in which case it is paid weekly. It will be paid directly into your bank, building society or credit union account. ADP is paid at the same rates as PIP.
What are the PIP and ADP 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.
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 from April 10 depending on your circumstances:
Daily Living Component
- Enhanced: £101.75 (from £92.40)
- Standard: £68.10 (from £61.85)
Mobility Component
- Enhanced: £71.00 (from £64.50)
- Standard: £26.90 (from £24.45)
How you are assessed
You will be assessed by an independent healthcare professional to help the DWP determine the level of financial support, if any, you need, for PIP.
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.
Adult Disability Payment assessments will not involve face-to-face assessments, unless this is preferred by the claimant - find out more about the changes here.
You can find out more about DWP PIP assessments here.
How to make a new 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.
Before you call, you will need:
your contact details
your date of birth
your National Insurance number - this is on letters about tax, pensions and benefits
your bank or building society account number and sort code
your doctor or health worker’s name, address and telephone number
dates and addresses for any time you’ve spent abroad, in a care home or hospital
Once you have contacted the DWP, they will send you a document to complete which consists of 14 questions. This includes space for any additional information you feel is relevant to your claim. The questions focus on how your condition affects you, so put as much detail in as you can to help the assessor understand your physical or mental health needs.
Even if you don't qualify for financial support, you could be eligible for a National Entitlement Travel Card, which offers free or reduced travel across Scotland on most public transport links.
For more information about PIP, visit GOV.UK here.
How to apply for Adult Disability Payment
People can apply ADP, over the phone, by post or in-person. To find out more or apply, visit the dedicated pages on mygov.scot here or call Social Security Scotland on 0800 182 2222.
To keep up to date with the latest PIP or ADP news, join our Money Saving Scotland Facebook page here, follow us on Twitter @Record_Money, or subscribe to our newsletter which goes out Monday to Friday - sign up here.
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