Personal Independence Payment (PIP) is a benefit for people over 16 and under State Pension age who need additional help with daily living tasks or getting around as a result of a long-term illness, disability or mental or physical health condition. The benefit is being replaced in Scotland by Adult Disability Payment (ADP) which follows the same eligibility guidelines as PIP and is now available to all new claimants.
A successful claim for PIP or ADP could see claimants receive between £26.90 and £172.75 each week in additional financial support, and as the benefit is paid every four weeks, this amounts to between £107.60 and £691.00 every payment period.
Eligibility for PIP is determined by a functional assessment of how the condition or disability impacts the individual’s ability to undertake a range of key daily living and mobility activities, and takes into account any help they need, which may include the use of aids and appliances.
However, just because someone uses an aid or an appliance, it will not mean they automatically qualify for PIP - or ADP if they live in Scotland. Similarly, an everyday object used by a non-disabled person, may be essential for someone claiming PIP or ADP.
Understanding Descriptors
To understand the importance of an aid or appliance in relation to a PIP assessment, you have to understand that in the PIP 2 evidence form and part 2 of the ADP application, claimants are asked to describe how their condition affects their ability to complete various tasks.
Your ability to carry out each activity is measured against a list of standard statements describing what you can or can’t do - these are known as the descriptors.
The health professional conducting the assessment will advise the DWP which descriptors applies to you for each activity.
For example, there are six descriptors for ‘Dressing and undressing’, ranging from ‘Can dress and undress unaided’ to ‘Cannot dress or undress at all’ - each descriptor carries a points score ranging from 0 to 12.
This may seem complicated, but Citizens Advice have a full breakdown of the questions, descriptors and points on its website here.
Aids and Appliances
Points can be awarded if an aid or appliance is needed to carry out a daily living or mobility activity. The aid or appliance might improve, provide or replace an impaired physical or mental function.
Examples include:
- White cane for visually impaired people
- Walking stick
- Wheelchair
- Modified cutlery
- Grab rails
If an aid or appliance is not normally used to help with an activity, it is only taken into account if it is reasonable to expect its use. This means there is no definitive list of aids or accessories which would automatically award someone the highest points.
DWP MInister for Disabled People Tom Pursglove MP explained: “The DWP does not hold a list of aids and appliances that are recognised for claimants of the Personal Independence Payment.
“Aids and appliances are devices which improve, provide, or replace, the claimant’s impaired physical or mental function.
“For the purpose of the PIP assessment, aids and appliances may be everyday objects, but whether they are considered as aids in any particular case, depends on how the claimant uses the object compared to how (if at all) it might typically be used by someone with no relevant impairment.
“Where the object would usually or normally be used in the same way by someone without any limitation in carrying out the relevant activity, it is unlikely to be considered an aid or appliance.”
PIP points and payments
You will be awarded the standard rate of PIP or ADP if you score between eight and 11 points for your daily living needs. You get the enhanced rate if you score 12 points or more.
You automatically qualify for the enhanced rate of the daily living component if you are terminally ill.
Daily living component
These are the weekly rates:
- Standard: £68.10
- Enhanced: £101.75
Mobility component
You will be awarded the standard rate if you score between eight and 11 points for your mobility needs. You will get the enhanced rate if you score 12 points or more.
There are the weekly rates:
- Standard: £26.90
- Enhanced: £71.00
Below is our quick overview of PIP and ADP, to help you understand more about the benefit and whether you, or someone you know, should make a claim.
Who is eligible for PIP or ADP?
To be eligible for PIP or ADP, 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 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
There are different rules if you are terminally ill, you will find these on the GOV.UK website here.
DWP or Social Security Scotland 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 are PIP and ADP paid?
PIP and ADP are usually paid every four weeks unless you are terminally ill, in which case it is paid weekly. It will be paid directly into your bank, building society or credit union account. ADP is paid at the same rates as PIP.
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, for PIP.
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. You can find out more about DWP PIP assessments here.
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.
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
How to apply for Adult Disability Payment
People can apply ADP, over the phone, by post or in-person. To find out more or apply, visit the dedicated pages on mygov.scot here or call Social Security Scotland on 0800 182 2222.
To keep up to date with the latest PIP or ADP news, join our Money Saving Scotland Facebook page here, follow us on Twitter @Record_Money, or subscribe to our newsletter which goes out Monday to Friday - sign up here.
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