New figures from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) show by the end of April 2023, there are now 3.3 million people across Great Britain claiming Personal Independence Payment (PIP). The latest statistics also indicate more than half a million people of State Pension age are also in receipt of PIP.
Some 520,081 older people in Scotland, England and Wales are getting support of between £107.60 and £691.00 every four-week pay period. It’s important to be aware that new claims for PIP have been replaced in Scotland by Adult Disability Payment, so the figures could be higher as more existing claimants are transferred from DWP to the devolved Social Security Scotland IT system.
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
Minister for Disabled People Tom Pursglove MP also said the DWP has made changes to help reduce the frequency of repeat assessments some older people need to go through on PIP.
He said: “We have also ensured that people who receive the highest level of support, and whose needs will not improve, together with most people over State Pension age, receive an ongoing award of PIP with a ‘light touch’ review at the 10-year point.
PIP provides 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.
The New State Pension is worth up to £203.85 each week and the Old Basic State Pension up to £156.20. The annual benefits uprating in April now means that older people claiming the Full New State Pension and both of the enhanced components for PIP (or Adult Disability Payment in Scotland) will receive up to £1,506.40 every four weeks - an increase of £138.20 on 2022/23 rates.
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.
Potential income for older people claiming PIP
The following estimations are based on the Full New State Pension and the maximum PIP award new payment rates that came into effect on April 10.
- 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
- Weekly rate: £203.85
- Four-weekly rate: £815.40
Basic State Pension payment rates
- Weekly rate: £156.20
- Four-weekly rate: £624.80
PIP / Adult Disability payment rates
Daily Living Component
- Enhanced: £101.75
- Standard: £68.10
Mobility Component
- Enhanced: £71.00
- Standard: £26.90
What is PIP?
PIP is a benefit which started to replace Disability Living Allowance in 2013. If you need extra help because of an illness, disability or mental health condition, you could be eligible for PIP, or ADP if you live in Scotland.
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 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 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
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.
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 benefits 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.
READ NEXT:
Check if you are due £150 disability cost of living payment starting next week
- People on Universal Credit with health issues could be due payments of up to £1,059 each month
- People on PIP never need to report any of these six changes to the DWP
People with any of these five common health conditions may be due up to £172 each week
Claim PIP for 87 muscle or joint conditions and you could get up to £691 each month
