In Scotland, Personal Independence Payment, often shortened to PIP, is gradually being replaced by the devolved benefit, Adult Disability Payment (ADP).
This rolled out nationwide to new claimants at the end of August last year after a phased rollout in March.
The latest statistics from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) show that by the end of October, there were more than three million people across the UK claiming PIP, with around 330,000 claimants living in Scotland. More specifically, around 3,240 people in Scotland are PIP claimants with gastrointestinal conditions.
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According to the Daily Record, a successful claim for PIP, or ADP in Scotland, is worth between £24.45 and £156.90 each week in additional financial support and as the benefit is paid every four weeks, this amounts to between £97.80 and £627.60 every payment period.
Many people who think they may not be able to claim this benefit are now being urged to check regardless as the level of financial support you are given is based upon how your condition affects your daily life.
So who is eligible and what 25 gastrointestinal conditions come under the criteria? Here is everything you need to know.
Diseases of the oesophagus, stomach and duodenum
- Hiatus hernia / gastroesophageal reflux disease / reflux oesophagitis
- Oesophageal varices
- Oesophagus, stomach and duodenum - Other diseases of / type not known
- Peptic ulcer (gastric and duodenal)/gastritis
Diseases of the small bowel
- Coeliac disease
- Small bowel - Other diseases of / type not known
Inflammatory bowel disease
- Crohn’s disease
- Ulcerative colitis
Diseases of the colon
- Colon - Other diseases of / type not known
- Constipation
- Diverticular disease / diverticulitis
Diseases of the rectum and anus
- Anorectal abscess
- Fistula in anus
- Haemorrhoids
- Rectal prolapse
- Rectum/anus - Other diseases of / type not known
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
Benign tumours of the gastrointestinal tract
Abdominal hernias
- Hernia
Congenital disorders of the GI tract
- Cleft lip
- Cleft lip with cleft palate
- Hirschprung Disease
- Tracheo-oesophageal fistula/atresia
Other diseases of the gastrointestinal tract
- Attention to artificial opening colostomy/ileostomy/ stoma - no underlying diagnosis
- Gastrointestinal tract - Other diseases of / type not known
If you are over 16 and under State Pension age, you may be able to claim PIP to help with a respiratory condition, and if your ability to work is limited due to your symptoms you could be eligible for ‘new style’ Employment and Support Allowance (ESA).
If you’re in Scotland, find out more about Adult Disability Payment, the devolved benefit replacing new claims for PIP, here.
Who is eligible for PIP?
You should apply if you need help with any of the following due to your condition:
- 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
There are different rules if you are terminally ill, you will find these on the GOV.UK website here.
How is PIP paid?
PIP is usually paid every four weeks unless you are terminally ill, in which case it is paid every week. It will be paid directly into your bank, building society or credit union account.
PIP payment rates until April 2023
PIP is made up of two components, daily living and mobility. You will need an assessment to work out the level of financial help you can get. Your rate will be regularly reviewed to make sure you are getting the right support.
Whether you get one or both of these 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
How you are assessed for PIP
You will be assessed by an independent healthcare professional to help the DWP determine the level of financial support, if any, you need.
Face-to-face assessments for health-related benefits, including PIP, are now offered by the DWP alongside telephone, video call and paper-based consultations.
You can find help on preparing for any type of PIP assessment here.
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.
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 with 14 questions to complete about how you are affected by your condition . There is also space to write additional information you feel is relevant to your claim.
If you have difficulty filling in your form or understanding the questions, contact your local council and ask for help or Citizens Advice Scotland.
For more information about PIP, visit GOV.UK here.
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