Hundreds of thousands of people are waiting for £300million worth of benefits because of delays to Personal Independence Payment (PIP) applications, experts warn.
PIP is a benefit that pays people with an illness, disability or mental health condition up to £157 a week, and around 3million people claim it.
But charity Citizens Advice said the waiting list for a PIP assessment is now 327,000 people, with an average waiting time of five months.
The charity thinks this means £294million of payments that would be awarded are being held up .
The waiting list is having a huge impact on claimants, Citizens Advice said.
Many people have to make "impossible choices as they try to make ends meet", the charity added.
Around one in five people who have needed a food bank referral from Citizens Advice in the last thre months also have an issue with PIP.
Citizens Advice said more people come to it for help with PIP than any other issue - 41% more than the next highest subject.
Many of those waiting for a decision will also be eligible for the £150 disability benefits cost-of-living support payment but are unlikely to get it before October’s mammoth energy price hike.
Citizens Advice is calling on the Government to take urgent action to relieve pressure in the system and help get money to people who need it.
One person on the PIP waiting list is Kate - not her real name.
Kate said: “Six months on I’ve still not heard anything. I only have £400 of Universal Credit to live off a month and some of that I’m using to pay off rent arrears.
“Sometimes I'm not well enough to go and get food so I just don't eat. Then I get dizzy and often faint. Not having PIP is forcing me to push myself to do things that I know I shouldn't be doing and it’s seriously affecting my health."
Citizens Advice chief executive Dame Clare Moriarty said: “The Government did the right thing by targeting more financial support towards those who need it most. But there are still things they could be doing to get money in the pockets of people who desperately need it in the cost-of-living crisis."
A DWP spokesperson said: “Successful PIP claimants will receive all the financial support they are entitled to, including backdated payments.
“We support millions of people each year and continue to improve our PIP service by boosting resources and opening up assessments by phone and video, with process times now down by six weeks on last year."
To be eligible for PIP, you must have a health condition or disability where you:
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have had difficulties with daily living or getting around (or both) for three months
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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.
Who is eligible for PIP?
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
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.
PIP will be paid directly into your bank, building society or credit union account.
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:
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Daily living
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Mobility
Whether you get one or both of these and how much depends on how severely your condition affects you.
You will be paid up to the following amounts per week, depending on your circumstances:
Daily living
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Standard rate: £61.85
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Enhanced rate: £92.40
Mobility
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Standard rate: £24.45
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Enhanced rate: £64.50
How you are assessed
You will be assessed to help the DWP determine the level of financial support, if any, you can get.
Face-to-face assessments for health-related benefits, including PIP, are now offered by the DWP alongside telephone, video call and paper-based consultations.
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:
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your contact details
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your date of birth
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your National Insurance number - this is on letters about tax, pensions and benefits
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your bank or building society account number and sort code
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your doctor or health worker’s name, address and telephone number
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dates and addresses for any time you’ve spent abroad, in a care home or hospital
