DWP benefits will rise by 10.1% next year in an effort to shield the most vulnerable households from the cost of living crisis.
The increase was confirmed by Chancellor Jeremy Hunt in his recent Autumn Statement after months of speculation. Campaigners had previously warned that unless benefits were raised to match inflation, the poorest households would be left facing a significant real-terms reduction in their benefit payments.
The increase will come into effect next April. One of the benefits due to increase by 10.1% is the Personal Independence Payment (PIP). The payment is currently claimed by around three million people living with disabilities and mental health conditions.
READ MORE: 'Prolific' pervert used iPhone to spy on teenage girl in public toilets
What is PIP?
PIP is a disability benefit introduced to replace Disability Living Allowance for most adult claimants. It supports people living with long-term physical or mental health conditions and disabilities with the increased costs they face.
There are two aspects of PIP: the daily living part and the mobility part. The daily living part helps claimants with the costs of everyday living tasks, and the mobility part helps people who have difficulty getting around because of their condition.
Who’s eligible for PIP?
BirminghamLive reported if you’re aged 16 or over, have a long-term physical or mental condition or a disability, have difficulty performing everyday tasks or with mobility and expect these difficulties to last for at least 12 months from when they started, you may be able to claim PIP.
New PIP claimants will be subject to a DWP test to assess the effects their condition has on their ability to move around and perform ordinary tasks. Applicants will be scored according to their ability to perform tasks and this will be used to determine how much PIP they get.
PIP rates for 2023-24
PIP is one of the DWP benefits that will rise by 10.1% from April 2023. This increased rate will apply throughout the 2023-24 financial year, and the following weekly rates will apply:
Daily living part
-
Lower weekly rate - £68.10 (up from £61.85 per week currently)
-
Higher weekly rate - £101.75 (up from £92.40 per week currently)
Mobility part
-
Lower weekly rate - £26.90 (up from £24.45 per week currently)
-
Higher weekly rate - £71 (up from £64.50 per week currently
That means anyone awarded both of the higher payments would get £172.75 a week, equivalent to £691 a month or £8,983 a year. PIP claimants are also expected to be among those entitled to next year's £150 disability cost of living payment. This is part of a new series of cost of living payments due in 2023, which will also include a £900 payment for people on means-tested benefits and another £300 pensioner cost of living payment.
Receive newsletters with the latest news, sport and what's on updates from the Liverpool ECHO by signing up here .
READ NEXT:
First picture of man with 'gentle soul' found dead after burglary
Nurse stabbed after alarm failed in middle of attack by patient
Find the coins hidden on the ECHO website for the chance to win a £200 voucher
Little girl had 'innocence taken away' after being abused on birthday
The world's biggest Hooters is open in Liverpool with wings, tiny shorts and a dash of feminism
