Many individuals suffering from infectious diseases, including tuberculosis and Covid, could be eligible for hundreds of pounds a month in support from the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP).
According to DWP statistics, over 13,000 people are currently receiving Personal Independence Payments (PIP) with their primary condition being an infectious disease. This disability benefit provides varying levels of financial assistance depending on the severity of the impact on the applicant’s life, ranging from £114 to £737 per month.
Every successful applicant’s medical condition is logged on the PIP Computer System. As of February 2023, there are eight subcategories under the infectious diseases category.
These include four specific infectious diseases and four groups of diseases such as bacterial, viral (excluding hepatitis and poliomyelitis), other infectious diseases, and protozoal infections.
HIV/AIDS
The Human Immunodeficiency Virus targets the body’s immune system, weakening its ability to fend off everyday infections and diseases, leading to AIDS. Also known as Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome, this term describes the potentially life-threatening infections and illnesses a person may suffer when their immune system has been damaged by HIV.
It can lead to a range of difficulties in daily life and result in other disabilities that hinder mobility or everyday activities. According to Benefits and Work’s analysis of DWP statistics, 46.80% of applicants with HIV/AIDS are successful in their PIP applications.
COVID-19
The coronavirus was added to the DWP’s list of conditions for PIP in 2021 following the outbreak of the pandemic the previous year. The infectious disease has a 47% success rate in PIP applications, as per Benefits and Work’s data.
Tuberculosis
Tuberculosis, also known as TB, is typically a bacterial infection that impacts the lungs. Despite being preventable and curable, it comes in many forms that can have severe medical consequences.
57.3% of PIP applicants with TB are successful in their claims. TB meningitis can sometimes lead to significant cognitive impairment and physical disability, and it can also cause permanent lung damage.
Malaria
Malaria boasts one of the highest success rates among PIP applicants with infectious diseases at 61.50%. It is a disease transmitted by certain types of mosquitoes and can be fatal if not treated promptly and effectively.
It is both preventable and curable and does not usually spread from person to person.
PIP is divided into two components, each with a higher and lower weekly rate, and the amount you could be entitled to largely hinges on how your condition or disability impacts your daily life. The mobility component ranges from £28.70 to £75.75 per week, while the daily living component can offer £72.65 or £108.55 per week.
If you successfully claim the higher rates for both components, you could receive £737.20 every four weeks. The health assessment for PIP is set to change in September as part of the department’s Health Transformation Programme.
