The latest statistics from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) show that by the end of January 2023, there were more than 3.25 million people across Great Britain claiming Personal Independence Payment (PIP), including 319,336 living in Scotland. The figures also indicate nearly half a million people of State Pension age are also in receipt of PIP.
Across Great Britain, some 486,940 older people are getting support through the disability payment, including 52,676 in Scotland. However, many people nearing State Pension age may not be aware that a change to PIP guidance in 2019 states that “claimants whose review would have taken place when they were of State Pension age means that they are now generally awarded ongoing awards”.
Award types and review periods are set on an individual basis, based on the claimant’s needs and the likelihood of those needs changing. It takes into account such matters as planned treatment/therapy or learning/adapting to manage a condition.
PIP awards
Guidance from DWP states:
- For fixed length awards, the review period usually ranges from a minimum of nine months to a maximum 10 years
- Review periods of less than nine months are set only in exceptional circumstances
- An award of two years or less is considered short-term
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 - these payments will rise by 10 per cent from April 10.
The New State Pension is currently worth up to £185.15 each week and the Old Basic State Pension up to £141.85. However, the annual uprating in April will see older people claiming the Full New State Pension and PIP receive up to £1,506.40 every four weeks - an increase of £138.20.
PIP and State Pension age
When someone reaches State Pension age, they can no longer make a new claim for PIP, Disability Living Allowance (DLA) or Adult Disability Payment (ADP) - the new disability benefit replacing PIP for people in Scotland.
However, if someone is already receiving PIP, DLA, 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.
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.
People of State Pension age claiming PIP - January 2023
Number of people of State Pension age claiming PIP:
- Scotland: 52,676
- England: 393,654
- Wales: 40,616
- Total: 486,940
Potential income for older people claiming PIP from April 2023
The following estimations are based on the Full New State Pension and the maximum PIP award new payment rates from April.
- New State Pension: £203.85 per week x 52 = £10,600.20 per year
- PIP or ADP: £172.75 er week x 52 = £8,983 per year
Total combined income payments from April
- Per week: £376.60
- Per payment period (four weeks): £1,506.40
- Per year: £19,583.20
New State Pension payment rates from April
- Weekly rate: £203.85, an increase of £18.70 from £185.15
- Four-weekly rate: £815.40, an increase of £74.80 from £740.60
Basic State Pension payment rates from April
- Weekly rate: £156.20, an increase of £14.35 from £141.85
- Four-weekly rate: £624.80, an increase of £57.40 from £567.40
PIP / Adult Disability payments from April
Daily Living Component
- Enhanced: £101.75 (from £92.40)
- Standard: £68.10 (from £61.85)
Mobility Component
- Enhanced: £71.00 (from £64.50)
- Standard: £26.90 (from £24.45)
Cost of living payments 2023/24
Pensioner households in receipt of Pension Credit may also be eligible for the £900 means-tested cost of living payment, £150 if they are claiming a disability payment and the £300 pensioner payment which will be added to Winter Fuel Payments.
Potentially, older people could be eligible for up to £1,350 over the next financial year- find out more here.
To keep up to date with the latest State Pension 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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