Recent data from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has revealed that at the start of the year there were approximately 5.6 million people in the UK claiming Universal Credit.
Universal Credit is a benefit administered by the UK Government department to support people who are either out of work or on a low income.
The 5.6 million figure is expected to increase throughout 2022 following changes to the taper rate and work allowance rules last November that have resulted in around 500,000 more people being eligible for the either Universal Credit or Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA).
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As reported by the Daily Record, many claimants may be unaware that they may also qualify for extra financial support through Personal Independent Payment (PIP).
Recent DWP statistics reveal that at the end of April, there were an estimated 3 million people in the UK receiving financial aid through PIP.
Of this number, just over 313,000 live in Scotland — receiving between £97.80 and £627.60 every four weeks.
Read on for a full roundup of what you need to know about PIP before applying.
What is PIP?
Personal Independence Payment is a benefit for people between the ages of 16 and the State Pension age to help with daily living and mobility costs.
It is intended for those who have a disability or a long-term physical or mental health condition.
You can claim PIP regardless of whether you are in work or have paid National Insurance contributions, and it is not means-tested which means it is not dependent on your income or savings.
Many potential claimants are put off from applying because they falsely believe the benefit is only for those with outwardly visible disabilities, but it is also available to those with 'hidden' conditions such as anxiety, stress, and depression.
In order to qualify for PIP, you need to have a health condition or disability that has resulted in you having difficulties with day-to-day tasks or moving around for three months, and expect the issues to continue for at least a nine further months.
In most cases, you must have lived in the UK for at least two out of the last three years before applying.
Who is eligible for PIP?
If you require assistance, or already get assistance, with any of the following tasks as a result of your disability or condition, you may be eligible 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
The rules are different for claimants who are terminally ill, which you can find here.
How is PIP paid?
The benefit is paid directly into claimants' bank, building society or credit union accounts every four weeks.
For terminally ill claimants, it is paid each week.
PIP payment rates for 2022/23
In order to receive PIP, you will need to be assessed by a health professional who will help determine how much financial assistance you require.
The benefit consists of two separate components: a daily living component, and a mobility component.
You may receive one of these or both, depending on your condition.
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
Assessments are carried out in a variety of ways, such as face-to-face, by phone, by video call, and through paper-based consultations.
How do I make a claim for PIP?
In order to apply for PIP, you will require all of the following information:
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 all of this, you can get in touch with the DWP, who will send out a document consisting of 14 questions that you must fill in.
These questions are all about how you are affected by your condition, so add as much detail as you are able in order to help the assessor gain a full grasp of your needs.
Those who are unable to fill out the form by themselves, or do not understand some of the questions, should get in touch with their local council or Citizens Advice Scotland.
You can fill out an anonymous self-test online at Benefits and Work to get an idea of how many points you may be awarded.
Even if you don't qualify for financial support, you could be eligible for a National Entitlement Travel Card, which offers free or reduced travel across Scotland on most public transport links.
For more information about PIP, visit GOV.UK here.
