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 three million people across the UK, including 313,620 living in Scotland, 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 rollout
A phased launch of the new support payment has now been completed and it will rollout nationwide on August 29.
You do not need to apply for Adult Disability Payment if you already get PIP or Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for adults from the DWP. Case transfers started on June 13 and existing claimants will be contacted in writing advising them of the move which takes around three months - there will be no interruption or changes to payments.
Adult Disability Payment is now available in:
- Dundee City
- Perth and Kinross
- Western Isles
- Angus
- North Lanarkshire
- South Lanarkshire
- Fife
- Aberdeen City
- Aberdeenshire
- Moray
- North Ayrshire,
- East Ayrshire
- South Ayrshire
If you live anywhere elsie in Scotland, you can apply for the new payment from August 29.
Check online if you qualify for Adult Disability Payment
You can apply for Adult Disability Payment if you have a disability or long-term health condition that affects your everyday life.
You can also check if you meet the other requirements to qualify for Adult Disability Payment before you start an application.
The simple online tool asks questions about:
- where you live
- any restrictions on your right to live in the UK
- if you're on other benefits
- your age
You will not be asked about your disability or health condition.
If you do not qualify for Adult Disability Payment, the Social Security Scotland tool will tell you what other benefits you may be able to claim.
Check if you qualify for Adult Disability Payment here.
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