Get all your news in one place.

100’s of premium titles.
One app.

Start reading

Get all your news in one place.

100’s of premium titles. One news app.

Start reading

Chronicle Live

National

Linda Howard & Kristy Dawson

Universal Credit claimants could qualify for additional DWP benefit without being penalised

DWP Universal Credit United Kingdom GovUK

Universal Credit claimants living with health conditions could qualify for another benefit without being penalised.

Figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) show how costs are rising and UK inflation has surged to another 40-year high. It said Consumer Prices Index (CPI) inflation rose to 10,1% in July, up from 9.4% in June.

The Daily Record reports how the UK Government benefit uprating in April was 3.1%. During the ongoing cost of living crisis, energy prices and fuel have rocketed and many people are trying to fins a job, a second income or better paid employment..

New statistics from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) show that in June 2022 there were 5.6 million people across the UK receiving financial support through Universal Credit. The benefit aims to help those out of work, or on a low income, with daily living costs.

A lot of people are unaware that Personal Independence Payment (PIP) supports 547 health conditions. Those living with a physical or mental condition, long-term illness or a disability, you can claim PIP on top of any other benefit without being penalised.

Over 5 million people across the UK take Universal Credit (PA)

What is PIP?

PIP is a benefit that can help with daily living costs and mobility needs as the result of a long-term illness, disability or mental health condition. The benefit, which is for those over 16 and under State Pension age, could be worth hundreds of pounds every month.

There are nearly three million people in the UK, including 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.

Those who apply for PIP do not need to have worked or paid National Insurance to qualify. The benefit is not means-tested either, so it doesn't matter what a person's income in, how much they have in savings or whether they are 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, the 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

Those who apply will usually need to have lived in the UK for at least two of the last three years and be in the country when they apply.

Who is eligible for PIP?

People who need help with any of the following because of their condition 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 a claimant terminally ill. They can be found on the GOV.UK website here.

Woman siting on a stair lift at home (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

How is PIP paid?

PIP is usually paid every four weeks unless the claimant is terminally ill, in which case it is paid every week. The benefit is paid directly into a person's bank, building society or credit union account.

PIP payment rates for 2022/23

Those applying for PIP will need to do an assessment to work out the level of financial help they will receive. Their rate will be regularly reviewed to make sure they are getting the right support.

PIP is made up of two components:

Daily living
Mobility

Whether a claimant gets one or both of these, and how much depends, on how severely their condition affects them.

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 is a claimant assessed?

A claimant will be assessed by an independent healthcare professional to help the DWP determine the level of financial support, if any, that they 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. Claimants can find help on preparing for any type of PIP assessment here.

How do you make a claim for PIP?

A person can make a new claim by contacting the DWP. The information needed to apply is on the GOV.UK website here.

The DWP will need the following details from the claimant:

Their contact details
Their date of birth
Their National Insurance number - this is on letters about tax, pensions and benefits
Their bank or building society account number and sort code
Their doctor or health worker’s name, address and telephone number
Dates and addresses for any time they've spent abroad, in a care home or hospital

Once a claimant has contacted the DWP, they will send them 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 the claimant. People are asked to put as much detail in as they can to help the assessor understand their physical or mental health needs.

Those who have difficulty filling in your form or understanding the questions can contact their local council or Citizens Advice to ask for help. For more information about PIP, visit GOV.UK here.

Read more: