New data indicates that people with respiratory conditions could be earning up to £152 each week from Personal Independence Payments (PIP).
Recent figures from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) show that at the end of January this year, there were nearly 2.9 million people across the UK claiming support through Personal Independence Payments (PIP). Just over one in three claimants (35%) are receiving the highest level of award, reported the Daily Record. People living in the UK will now be receiving financial support of between £24.45 and £156.90 each week following the DWP's 3.1% benefits uprating.
There has recently been an increase in the number of people now receiving support for 24 types of respiratory conditions including asthma, Cystic Fibrosis, Sleep apnoea, chronic bronchitis, emphysema and pneumonia. January saw the UK-wide total number of claimants for these types of conditions rise to 128,316, an increase of 1,661 from the end of October (126,655).
READ MORE: Universal Credit move will see 400,000 people lose their benefits
UK breakdown of PIP claimants with respiratory conditions
- Scotland: 16,549
- England: 103,210
- Wales: 8,561
24 respiratory conditions being supported through PIP
This is the list of 24 respiratory conditions being supported through PIP 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% of cases, reports the DWP.
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
What is PIP?
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).
PIP is a benefit which is gradually replacing Disability Living Allowance (DLA). If you need extra help because of an illness, disability or mental health condition you could be eligible for PIP. 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?
To be eligible for PIP, 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 Adult Disability Payment, depending on where you live.
- 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
There are different rules if you are terminally ill, you will find these on the GOV.UK website 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 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 - find out more about the changes here. You can find out more about DWP PIP assessments here.
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.
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