The latest statistics from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) show that in July 2022 there were 5.7 million people across the UK receiving financial support through Universal Credit, a benefit intended to help those out of work or on a low income with daily living costs.
That figure is expected to continue to rise following changes to the taper rate and work allowance rule in November 2021 which now means that an estimated 500,000 more people may be eligible for support through Universal Credit or Jobseeker's Allowance.
However, many new and existing benefit claimants may not be aware that they could also be eligible for additional support on top of certain benefits through Personal Independence Payment (PIP) and qualify for a disability premium.
People living in Scotland should no longer make a new claim for PIP, but instead apply for the new devolved disability benefit, Adult Disability Payment (ADP). ADP eligibility criteria and weekly payment rates are the same as PIP, the difference lies in the application process as the new devolved benefit is administered by Social Security Scotland - find out more about ADP here.
Below is everything you need to know about claiming PIP and the various disability premiums that could be added to other benefits if you are awarded, or are already in receipt of PIP or ADP.
What is PIP?
PIP is a benefit for those over 16 and under State Pension age, that can help with daily living costs and mobility needs as the result of a long-term illness, disability or mental health condition - and it could be worth hundreds of pounds every month.
There are nearly 2.9 million people in the UK, including some 313,620 living in Scotland, receiving financial support of between £24.45 and £156.90 each week - the benefit is paid every four weeks so this amounts to between £97.80 and £627.60 every payment period.
You don’t need to have worked or paid National Insurance to qualify for PIP. It isn’t means-tested either, so it doesn’t matter what your income is, how much you have in savings, or whether you're currently employed.
The biggest misconception about PIP is that the DWP will only award the benefit to people with outwardly visible physical, long-term health conditions or disabilities.
In fact, PIP is a benefit aimed at providing support for people with an ever-evolving list of 'hidden' conditions, including stress, anxiety and depression.
To be eligible for PIP, 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.
PIP payment rates for 2022/23
You will need an assessment to work out the level of financial help you will receive and your rate will be regularly reviewed to make sure you are getting the right support.
PIP is made up of two components - daily living and mobility - whether you get one or both of these and how much depends on how severely your condition affects you.
You will be paid the following amounts per week depending on your circumstances:
Daily living
Standard rate: £61.85
Enhanced rate: £92.40
Mobility
Standard rate: £24.45
Enhanced rate: £64.50
However, if you are also claiming certain legacy benefits, you may be entitled to a disability premium, which is automatically added to your means-tested benefit.
DWP explains: "Any money you get is added to your benefit payments automatically so you usually do not have to apply for a disability premium."
Find out more about claiming PIP here.
Disability Premiums
Disability premiums are extra amounts of money added to your:
Income Support
Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
Housing Benefit
There are three types of disability premium for adults:
disability premium
enhanced disability premium
severe disability premium
You can get more than one premium at a time.
What you could get
You can get the disability premium on its own - you might get the severe or enhanced disability premium as well if you’re eligible for them.
However, if you get income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) you cannot get the disability premium, but you may still qualify for the severe and enhanced premiums.
Disability premium
You’ll get:
£36.20 a week for a single person
£51.60 a week for a couple
Severe disability premium
You’ll get:
£69.40 a week for a single person
£138.80 a week for a couple if you’re both eligible
Some couples will be eligible for the lower amount of £69.40 a week instead.
Enhanced disability premium
You’ll get:
£17.75 a week for a single person
£25.35 a week for a couple if at least one of you is eligible
Eligibility
Disability premium
You or your partner must be under Pension Credit age and either registered blind or getting:
Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
Adult Disability Payment - Scotland only
Armed Forces Independence Payment (AFIP)
Working Tax Credit with a disability element
Attendance Allowance
Constant Attendance Allowance
War Pensioners Mobility Supplement
Severe Disablement Allowance
Incapacity Benefit
If you do not qualify, you may still get the premium if you’ve been unable to work for at least a year.
Severe disability premium
You must get the disability premium or income-related ESA, and one of the following qualifying benefits:
PIP daily living component
AFIP
DLA care component at the middle or highest rate
Adult Disability Payment daily living component
Attendance Allowance (or Constant Attendance Allowance paid with Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit or War Pension)
You usually cannot have anyone aged 18 or over living with you, unless they’re in one of these situations:
they get a qualifying benefit
they are registered blind
they’re a boarder or subtenant (but not a close relative)
they make separate payments to the landlord
You cannot get the severe disability premium if someone is getting Carer’s Allowance or the carers element of Universal Credit for looking after you.
If you’re in a couple
You’ll get the higher amount of severe disability premium if both you and your partner are eligible.
You can get the lower amount if:
someone gets Carers Allowance or the carers element of Universal Credit for looking after only one of you
only one of you meets the eligibility criteria and the other is registered blind
Enhanced disability premium
To get this, you must be under Pension Credit age.
You must get the disability premium or income-related ESA, and one of the following:
PIP daily living component at the higher (‘enhanced’) rate
Adult Disability Payment - daily living component at the enhanced rate
AFIP
DLA care component at the highest rate
You’ll also get this if you’re in the support group for income-related ESA.
How to claim
You do not have to claim Disability Premium - if you’re eligible, it is automatically added to your:
Income Support
Jobseeker’s Allowance
Employment and Support Allowance
housing benefit
Contact your local Jobcentre Plus here if it has not been paid.
Find out more about disability premiums on the GOV.UK website, here.
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