Personal Independence Payment (PIP) is a benefit designed to help people over the age of 16 and under State Pension age with the extra daily costs of living for around 547 health conditions or disabilities, which may be physical, sensory, mental, intellectual or cognitive, or any combination of these.
The latest figures from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) show that nearly 2.9 million people across the UK are currently receiving between £24.45 and £156.90 per week to help with the additional costs of daily living and outdoor mobility needs.
However, an award for PIP may enable claimants to access means-tested benefits even if they have previously been told they are not eligible and according to guidance on the GOV.UK website, it may also be possible to backdate certain benefits to the start of their PIP award.
This is because entitlement to PIP provides a gateway or passport to other benefits, such as Carer’s Allowance, and schemes sponsored by other departments, such as the Blue Badge scheme.
The DWP said that for many benefits and schemes there are additional qualifying conditions, but for some, including the Blue Badge, there are alternative ways of accessing the benefit that do not rely on a particular rate or component of PIP.
DWP explains : “For DWP benefits, Housing Benefit and Council Tax Reduction, we share information to enable claimants to automatically access other disability benefits and services.
“However, claimants should inform other benefit offices about their entitlement to make sure they’re paid the correct amounts, particularly if there are any changes in their circumstances and awards.”
DWP added that in most cases, claimants will need to use their PIP award letter as proof of entitlement.
The guidance also states that carers may be able to claim Income Support (including for up to 26 weeks while the PIP claim is being assessed) and many carers may continue claiming Income Support after PIP is awarded.
DWP advises claimants to seek advice about other benefits they may also be entitled to.
Benefits which could be accessed with a PIP award
You may not qualify for any of these benefits, but it’s worth checking them out to make sure you are not missing out on additional support.
- Access to Work
- Carer’s Allowance
- Carer’s Credit
- Child Tax Credit - new claims replaced by Universal Credit
- Council Tax Reduction
- Employment and Support Allowance - only if you get the PIP daily living component
- Housing Benefit
- Income Support
- Jobseeker’s Allowance
- Pension Credit - only if you get the PIP daily living component
- Universal Credit
- Working Tax Credit - new claims replaced by Universal Credit
- Council Tax discount
Where to find help
Anyone who has already claimed PIP or has a general query about their award and what else they may be entitled to claim should call the Disability Service Centre.
You can contact them for advice or information about a claim you’ve already made for PIP, Disability Living Allowance (DLA) or Attendance Allowance.
Full contact details including phone numbers can be found on the GOV.UK website here.
Adult Disability Payment
PIP is being replaced by the Adult Disability Payment (ADP) in Scotland for new and existing claimants over the coming months, but will continue to follow similar eligibility rules and award the same payment rates.
Adult Disability Payment rollout dates
- Now open to new claimants - Dundee City, Perth and Kinross or the Western Isles
- June 20 - Angus, North Lanarkshire or South Lanarkshire
- July 25 - Fife, Aberdeen City, Aberdeenshire, Moray, North Ayrshire, East Ayrshire or South Ayrshire
- August 29 - if you live anywhere else in Scotland
You do not need to apply for Adult Disability Payment if you already get PIP or DLA for adults from the DWP.
Social Security Scotland will start to move your benefit to Adult Disability Payment without you having to do anything from August 29.
Find out more about how your benefit is moving to Social Security Scotland here.
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