In the UK, people affected by a disability, illness, or limited mobility may be entitled to benefits from the government to improve your day-to-day life, whether that’s hiring care for your needs, or to supplement your income.
Benefits can make a huge difference to your daily life when living with a disability – providing the financial means to greater independence and freedom. In this article, we’ve explained everything you need to know about Personal Independence Payment (PIP) and how to claim it.
What are Personal Independence Payments (PIP)?
Personal Independence Payment (PIP) is a welfare benefit available to people with a long-term illness or disability and aged between 16 and 64 years old. It is payable to anyone eligible regardless of income, savings, or National Insurance contributions.
If you are a carer with care needs, you are also able to claim for PIP without your carers allowance being affected. Similarly, if you have a carer, claiming for PIP may actually help their claim for carers allowance, and can help both of you to claim for help with your council tax.
Who is Eligible to Claim PIP?
The following requirements must be met in order for you to be eligible to receive Personal Independence Payments:
- Be aged between 16 – 64 years old.
- You will need to satisfy the daily living and/or mobility activities test.
- These tests must have been satisfied for at least three months and be likely to continue to do so for at least 9 months following.
- You must have no immigration conditions attached to your stay in the UK
- You must meet residence and presence conditions
If you are aged 65 or over, you will not be able to claim PIP if you have not already claimed it. Instead, you can claim Attendance Allowance. If you already receive PIP, you will continue to after turning 65.
How Much Will My Personal Independence Payment Be?
PIP has two different components:
- A mobility component
- A daily living component
These components are paid at either standard or enhanced rates. This is dependent on how severely limited you are in your ability to carry out daily living and mobility activities due to your physical or mental condition.
The current 2022 rates are:
Daily living part: £61.85 (lower weekly rate) £92.40 (higher weekly rate)
Mobility part: £24.45 (lower weekly rate) £64.50 (higher weekly rate)
Is My Eligibility Affected If I Receive Other Benefits?
You are able to receive PIP if you are on any other benefits, except for the following:
- Armed Forces Independence Payment
- Constant Attendance Allowance (you’ll receive less of the daily living component)
- War Pensioners’ Mobility Supplement (you can still get the daily living component, however)
How to Make a Claim
To make an initial claim for PIP, you will need to call the Department for Work and Pensions on 0800 917 2222.
During this phone call, you will need to provide the following information:
- Full name and date of birth
- Address
- Phone number
- National Insurance number
- Bank or Building Society details
- GP details
- Information about any recent hospital stays, care homes or hospices
- Any time that you have spent out of the country
- Your nationality and immigration status
Other articles that may be applicable to you include our guide to carer’s allowance, respite for carers, and finding out what other support you’re entitled to as a carer.
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Get a quote for Carers Insurance or Mobility Scooter insurance today to stay covered in your daily life.