You may be eligible for Personal Independence Payment if you have additional needs due to a mental health condition. Statistics released in January 2023, show that across the UK more than 3.2 million people are claiming the benefit from the Department for Work and Pensions.
Of these claimants 37 per cent are claiming the payment for a 'Psychiatric Disorder', which amounts to around 1.2 million people. This umbrella term is used by the DWP as the main category of disabling condition recorded at the time of application, which also includes subcategories and specific health conditions.
Hundreds of long-term health conditions are supported through PIP or the Adult Disability payment, which can amount to £619 each month. However, the list of conditions is not definitive and contains an 'unknown' category reports Lancashire Live.
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The statistics from DWP for PIP conditions indicates that there has been an increase in the number of people claiming for Psychiatric Disorder, as new research from the Mental Health Foundation shows that more than one million adults across Scotland have experienced levels of anxiety stopping them from living their daily lives.
Additionally, polling conducted by Opinium on behalf of the charity has shown 70 per cent of adults have had some anxiety while 58 per cent said they experienced anxiety that interfered with their daily lives in the past two weeks.
This research marks the start of Mental Health Awareness Week, which will last from May 15-21, with the charity raising the alarm about the impact of anxiety on adults. The charity found that 27 per cent of adults said they experienced anxiety and felt anxious to the extent it stopped them from doing what they would like or what they need to do most or all of the time in the last fortnight.
People of working age with a mental health condition may not be aware that they could be eligible for financial support through PIP or ADP. Following the annual benefits uprating in April, a successful claim for PIP or ADP is worth between £26.90 and £172.75 each week in additional financial support.
However, as the benefit is paid every four weeks, this can amount to between £107.60 and £691.00 every payment period. You may be eligible for PIP or ADP, and should consider making a claim to the DWP, if you have daily living or mobility needs as a result of a mental health condition.
Despite anxiety being very common, 44 per cent of adults kept their feelings secret, suggesting significant numbers of people are still not comfortable talking about their own experiences, despite more progress in discussing mental health more openly in recent years.
PIP and ADP - a quick guide
PIP is a benefit which is gradually replacing 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.
People in Scotland making a new claim for PIP should instead apply for ADP through Social Security Scotland, which follows similar eligibility guidelines to PIP.
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.
PIP and ADP payment rates 2023/24
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.
The 2023/24 payment rates are:
Daily living
Standard rate: £68.10
Enhanced rate: £101.75
Mobility
Standard rate: £26.90
Enhanced rate: £71.00
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.
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
For more information about PIP, visit GOV.UK here.
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