Personal Independence Payments, or PIP as they are referred to, is a government funded benefit that gives people extra money to help with everyday life costs if they suffer from an illness, disability or mental health condition. The latest figures from the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) indicate that nearly three million people in the UK are claiming the extra support.
The Government provides guidance on what to expect during assessment meetings. Other external organisations, such as Citizens Advice, also provide people with information on what to expect.
Being eligible for the benefit can mean an extra boost to your finances of anything between £24.45 and £156.90 each week. While the Daily Record reported that more PIP assessments are being conducted over the phone (77%) or on paper (16%) using the evidence submitted by the claimant - data attained following a written response to a parliamentary question by former Minister for Disabled People Chloe Smith, before summer recess - face-to-face meetings still account for five per cent of consultations with video calls making up just under two per cent.
