People who are aged over 16 and under the State Pension age, who live with a disability, long-term illness, or mental or physical health condition, may be able to claim Personal Independence Payment (PIP). The scheme is designed to help people who need a hand completing every day tasks or moving around.
Around 3.25 million people were claiming the benefit from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) at the end of January 2023, the latest official statistics show. It can be worth up to £172.75 a week for those receiving the maximum amount, the Daily Record reports.
Awards for PIP are not indefinite, lasting up to a maximum of ten years. Depending on the condition someone has and their needs, they may be placed on a 'light touch' review plan, meaning they will be on the same amount for ten years, before having a simple review to extend the benefit if it is still needed.
READ MORE: DWP's new PIP guidance on benefit payments including who is eligible
A DWP minister was recently asked to clarify how it ensures that PIP claimants have their claim reviewed if they have a condition that is likely to worsen, thus increasing their needs. Liberal Democrat MP, Wendy Chamberlain, asked what guidance was in place to make sure that people with “degenerative conditions are identified and recorded for the purposes of scheduling future reassessments”.
In a written response, DWP minister Tom Pursglove said a PIP assessment is conducted to determine the “needs arising from a health condition or disability” rather than the condition itself. He added that regular reviews are a “key feature of PIP” and are done to ensure “payments accurately match the current needs of claimants”.
He said assessors would consider when a “significant change in functional needs is likely, giving due regard to the expected progression of a condition and whether it is likely to improve, stay the same, or worsen”. This would inform how long it would be until another review takes place.
Mr Pursglove added: “It may be appropriate to set a specific review period for a claimant with a degenerative condition as, if the condition is likely to deteriorate over time, the claimant may become entitled to a higher rate of PIP.”
But, he said some people who are already on the highest level of PIP may be placed in the 'light touch' review group, only needing a new assessment after ten years. He explained: “Claimants with very high levels of functional impairment who are on the highest PIP awards, and whose needs are only likely to increase, should receive an ongoing award of PIP, with a light touch review at the 10-year point.”
The payment rates for PIP increased by 10.1 per cent in April, along with most other benefits and the state pension. There are two components of the benefit – one for daily living and the other for mobility – with each part having a higher and lower award level.
The new payment rates are as follows:
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)
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