New data from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) reveals that there are approximately 2.9 million people throughout the UK who claim Personal Independence Payments (PIP), of which just over 305,000 are people who live in Scotland.
Around 35 per cent of all applicants claim the highest amount of money possible, and those living in Scotland now receive between £24.45 and £156.90 per week after the DWP's 3.1 per cent uprating.
As the benefit is paid every four weeks, this amounts to payments of between £97.80 and £627.60.
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As reported by the Daily Record, the new figures reveal a major rise in the number of people claiming PIP on the grounds of mental health, including those with autism, mood disorders, and learning disorders.
In January, the number of people claiming for these types of disorders and conditions surged by 33,160 to 1,045,503.
The number of people claiming for musculoskeletal conditions such as arthritis, joint pain and hip disorders also rose by 23,465 to 932,577.
In addition, the DWP also revealed that, between October 2021 and January 2022, there were:
- 170,000 registrations for new claims
- 23,000 reported changes of circumstance
- 19,000 registrations for Disability Living Allowance (DLA) reassessments
- 130,000 planned award review registrations
- 75,000 Manual Reconsideration registrations
PIP is intended to assist people with a disability or long-term physical or mental health condition, but many people are unaware that they may qualify for the benefit.
In Scotland, PIP is being replaced this year with the new Adult Disability Payment (ADP), which will have the same eligibility criteria but is intended to be more claimant-friendly.
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.
Total number of categories:
- Disability category - 21 (including unknown or missing)
- Disability Sub Group - 178
- Disability - 547
Of those claims that have had an assessment under normal rules, 81 per cent of new claims and 88 per cent of DLA reassessment claims are recorded as having one of the five most common disabling conditions.
These are:
- Psychiatric disorders - 1,045,503 claimants
- Musculoskeletal disease (general) - 587,148 claimants
- Musculoskeletal disease (regional) - 345,429 claimants
- Neurological disease - 376,249 claimants
- Respiratory disease - 128,316 claimants
Disabling conditions and number of claimants across the UK - January 2022
These consist of the primary disability categories, the umbrella term under which a total of 547 other conditions fall.
The following is an overview of conditions, disorders, and diseases, and how the DWP lists the main disabilities being claimed for.
- Haematological Disease - 6,522
- Infectious disease - 6,649
- Malignant disease - 86,119
- Metabolic disease - 4,330
- Psychiatric disorders - 1,045,503
- Neurological disease - 376,249
- Visual disease - 53,684
- Hearing disorders - 30,801
- Cardiovascular disease - 72,911
- Gastrointestinal disease - 24,343
- Diseases of the liver, gallbladder, biliary tract - 10,001
- Skin disease - 19,049
- Musculoskeletal disease (general) - 587,148
- Musculoskeletal disease (regional) - 345,429
- Autoimmune disease (connective tissue disorders) - 16,230
- Genitourinary disease - 21,073
- Endocrine disease - 39,692
- Respiratory disease - 128,316
- Multisystem and extremes of age - 1,024
- Diseases of the immune system - 907
Keep reading for a simple guide to DWP terminology, with explanations for the elements involved in a claim, such as components, rates and how the application is scored, which in turn determines how much money the claimant receives.
What is PIP?
PIP offers financial support to people with a disability or long-term physical or mental health condition.
As part of your claim, you will undergo an assessment by a health professional to determine which level of the benefit you are entitled to.
Who is eligible for PIP?
In order to qualify for PIP, your disability or health condition must have lead to difficulties moving around or carrying out your day-to-day tasks (or both), and you must expect these difficulties to continue for a further nine months at least.
Normally, you must also have lived in the UK for at least two of the prior three years when you make an application.
If you need or get help with any of the following tasks 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 outside the home
The rules for terminally ill claimants are different, and these can be found 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?
Normally, PIP is paid every four weeks — though terminally ill claimants will receive money each week.
The benefit is paid directly into your bank, building society or credit union account.
ADP will be paid at the same rates as PIP.
What are the PIP payment rates?
In order to determine how much money you are entitled to, you will be required to undergo an assessment by a health professional — as well as regular reviews.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
If you have difficulty filling in your form or understanding the questions, contact your local council and ask for help or Citizens Advice Scotland.
There is also an online PIP toolkit with examples of all the questions to help you answer fully with the most relevant information.
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.
