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 show nearly half a million people of State Pension age are also in receipt of PIP.
Across the nation, some 486,940 older people are getting support through the disability payment, including 52,676 in Scotland. From April 10, PIP - and its Scottish counterpart, Adult Disability Payment - will provide support worth between £26.90 and £172.75 each week and, as the benefit is paid every four weeks, this amounts to between £107.60 and £691.00 every scheduled payment period.
The New State Pension has also increased by 10.1 per cent and is now worth up to £203.85 each week and the Old Basic State Pension up to £156.20. The annual uprating will see older people in receipt of the full New State Pension and maximum award for PIP 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 - 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 10, 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.
To qualify for the £301 means-tested payment, due to be made between April 25 and May 17, 2023, people must have been in receipt of a payment of Pension Credit on any day during the qualifying period.
The qualifying period is January 26 - February 25, 2023. This also means that new claims submitted before May 19, 2023 which later turn out to be successful, will also qualify for the payment as claims can be backdated by up to three months.
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, or subscribe to our newsletter which goes out Monday to Friday - sign up here.
READ NEXT
Women over State Pension age could be due up to £6,900 in back payments this year
Waspi women likely to get ‘tiny compensation’ for State Pension age change
Attendance Allowance claim form top tips which could help older people get up to £407
New planned review of State Pension age could see retirement rise to 68 as early as 2036
