Living with a gastrointestinal issue such at Crohn's disease, Coeliac disease and Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) can be debilitating. If you need additional help as a result of such a condition then the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) may be able to assist financially under Personal Independence Payment (PIP)..
New data reveals that by the end of October there were 27,840 people receiving support for 25 types of gastrointestinal conditions with 22,513 of those people living in England. In fact, the latest statistics from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) stated that there were more than three million people across the UK claiming Personal Independence Payment (PIP). The regional breakdown includes, 2.6 million in England and 226,000 in Wales. Nearly 330,000 claimants live in Scotland
Having the health issue alone will not qualify you for the benefit it is how the condition affects you in your day-to-day life that determines the level of financial support you are awarded. A successful claim for PIP is worth between £24.45 and £156.90 each week in additional financial support and as the benefit is paid every four weeks, this amounts to between £97.80 and £627.60 every payment period.
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Crohn's disease, Coeliac disease and IBS aren't the only conditions being claimed for under the gastrointestinal category. According to the data, sufferers of 25 conditions were being supported through PIP to assist them with either daily living, mobility needs or a combination of both components.
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
A quick guide to PIP is listed below, thanks to Nottinghamshire Live sister publication, Daily Record. It includes what PIP is, who is eligible, how much you could get each month and how you are assessed.
Who is eligible for PIP?
If you get or need help with any of the following because of your condition, you should consider applying for PIP:
- 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.
How is PIP paid?
PIP is usually paid every four weeks unless you are terminally ill, in which case it is paid every week. Payment will be paid directly into your bank, building society or credit union account. Rules apply if you receive PIP and are due for a hospital stay - your can find details here.
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 assessments for health-related benefits, including PIP, are now offered by the DWP alongside telephone, video call and paper-based consultations.
PIP payment rates until April 2023
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 depending on your circumstances:
Daily living
Standard rate: £61.85
Enhanced rate: £92.40
Mobility
Standard rate: £24.45
Enhanced rate: £64.50
How to 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 speak to the Citizens Advice. For more information about PIP, visit GOV.UK here.
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