Personal Independence Payment (PIP) can help with extra living costs if you have both a long-term physical or mental health condition or disability and difficulty doing certain everyday tasks or getting around because of your condition
You can get PIP even if you’re working, have savings or are getting most other benefits. You are eligible as long as you are 16 or over.
However, some people may not know that if you have a severe respiratory condition, including, asthma, you can claim PIP. There are 24 types of respiratory conditions which qualify for support.
The list also includes Cystic Fibrosis, Sleep apnoea, chronic bronchitis, emphysema and pneumonia. January saw the UK-wide total number of claimants for these types of conditions rise to 128,316, an increase of 1,661 from the end of October (126,655).
PIP claimants with respiratory conditions
According to the Daily Record, this is the list of 24 respiratory conditions being supported through PIP to help with either daily living, mobility needs or a combination of both components.
Assessment award rates vary by disabling condition and a PIP claimant’s main disabling condition is recorded during their assessment in over 99% of cases, reports the DWP.
Diseases of the upper respiratory tract
- Sleep apnoea - obstructive
- Upper respiratory tract - Other diseases of / type not known
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
- Chronic bronchitis
- Emphysema
Bronchiectasis
Cystic Fibrosis
Asthma
Pulmonary fibrosis
- Extrinsic allergic alveolitis
- Fibrosing alveolitis
- Pulmonary fibrosis - Other / type not known
Pneumoconiosis
- Asbestosis
- Pneumoconiosis - coalworkers
- Pneumoconiosis - Other / type not known
- Silicosis
Granulomatous lung disease and pulmonary infiltration
- Granulomatous lung disease and pulmonary infiltration - Other / type not known
- Sarcoidosis
Disease of the pleura
- Empyema
- Pleura - Other diseases of / type not known
- Pleural effusion
- Pneumothorax
Lung transplantation
Heart and lung transplantation
Pulmonary embolus
Pneumonia
Lower respiratory tract - Other diseases of / type not known
Who is eligible for PIP?
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 three months
-
expect these difficulties to continue for at least nine 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.
- 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 outside the home
There are different rules if you are terminally ill, you will find these on the GOV.UK website here.
The DWP 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 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
Once you have contacted the DWP, they will send you a document to complete which consists of 14 questions. This includes space for any additional information you feel is relevant to your claim.
The questions focus on how your condition affects you, so put as much detail in as you can to help the assessor understand your physical or mental health needs.
For more information about PIP, visit GOV.UK here.
Receive newsletters with the latest news, sport and what's on updates from the Liverpool ECHO by signing up here
