The latest statistics from the Department for Work and Pension s (DWP) show by the end of October 2022, there were more than 3.1 million people across Great Britain claiming Personal Independence Payment (PIP), including 329,334 living in Scotland. The figures also show nearly half a million people of State Pension age are also in receipt of PIP.
Across Scotland, England and Wales, some 486,940 older people are getting support through the disability benefit, including 52,676 in Scotland. PIP currently provides between £24.45 and £156.90 each week, but as the benefit is paid every four weeks, this amounts to between £97.80 and £627.60 every pay period.
And it’s not just PIP older people are claiming, new figures from Social Security Scotland show that between March and October last year 25 per cent of applications for Adult Disability Payment - the new devolved benefit replacing PIP in Scotland - were made by people aged between 55 and 64.
When someone reaches State Pension age, they can no longer make a new claim for PIP or Adult Disability Payment.
However, if they are already receiving PIP or ADP when they reach State Pension age, they will continue to receive the benefit until the award period ends where it will be reviewed in the normal process - find out more here.
People who reach State Pension age who are no longer claiming any of the working age disability benefits may also be able to reclaim it - as long as they are claiming for the same health conditions that they initially received the award for and the last claim ended less than 12 months before reaching State Pension age.
For people over State Pension age with a health condition, long-term illness or disability they may be eligible for Attendance Allowance - this is worth either £61.85 or £92.40 every week from DWP. Find out more about claiming Attendance Allowance here.
Older people in Scotland claiming PIP - October 2022
These are the main disability categories, the umbrella term by which a total of 547 other conditions fall under.
This list is only an overview of conditions, disorders and diseases and how the DWP lists the main disabilities being claimed for.
These figures represent the number of PIP claimants over State Pension age in Scotland:
- Haematological Disease - 79
- Infectious disease - 85
- Malignant disease - 2,062
- Metabolic disease - 67
- Psychiatric disorders - 7,969
- Neurological disease - 7,596
- Visual disease - 1,055
- Hearing disorders - 350
- Cardiovascular disease - 2,766
- Gastrointestinal disease - 309
- Diseases of the liver, gallbladder, biliary tract - 196
- Skin disease - 214
- Musculoskeletal disease (general) - 17,716
- Musculoskeletal disease (regional) - 5,411
- Autoimmune disease (connective tissue disorders) - 346
- Genitourinary disease - 333
- Endocrine disease - 738
- Respiratory disease - 5,328
- Diseases of the immune system - 9
- Total number of claimants - 52,676
Below is a simplified guide to claiming PIP. Eligibility for Adult Disability Payment follows similar guidance.
What is PIP / Adult Disability Payment?
PIP and Adult Disability Payment (ADP) is a benefit which is gradually replacing Disability Living Allowance (DLA).
If you need extra help because of an illness, disability or mental health condition you could be eligible for PIP or ADP.
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.
Who is eligible for PIP / ADP?
To be eligible for PIP, 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 Adult Disability Payment, depending on where you live.
- 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.
The DWP 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 is PIP / ADP paid?
PIP is usually paid every four weeks unless you are terminally ill, in which case it is paid weekly. It is paid directly into your bank, building society or credit union account.
Adult Disability Payment is paid at the same rates as PIP.
What are the current payment rates?
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 and ADP are 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 do you make a claim?
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
To make a claim for Adult Disability Payment , visit the MyGov.Scot website here.
To keep up to date with the latest State Pension or benefits news, join our Money Saving Scotland Facebook page here, follow us on Twitter @Record_Money, o r subscribe to our newsletter which goes out Monday to Friday - sign up here.
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