The Personal Independence Payment (PIP) is a benefit from DWP which helps with extra living costs.
This is awarded to individuals suffering with a long-term physical or mental health condition and is paid every four weeks.
The benefit is available to help those struggling with everyday tasks or simply just getting around as a result of their disability.
PIP will eventually replace the Disability Living Allowance (DLA) but for those born before 8 April 1948 and are already currently claiming DLA, they can continue to do so.
PIP was introduced in the UK on April 8, 2013 as part of a wider welfare system reform with any of these four groups qualifying for the cash incentive.
The main intent of PIP was to create a more sustainable benefit which aims to support disabled people to live independently.
It is referred to as the Adult Disability Payment in Scotland which, much like England, helps with extra costs these individuals face.
In order to qualify for PIP a person must be 16 or over and under State Pension age, have a long-term mental or physical health condition or disability, need help with daily living activities and aren’t already claiming Disability Living Allowance (DLA).
“PIP can be paid if you’ve met the eligibility criteria for three months, and your condition is expected to last for at least another nine months,” states Age UK.
Roughly 3.4 million people in the UK claim PIP allowance, according to DWP.
The payments have two rates including the standard rate which is £72.65 per week or the enhanced rate of £108.55 per week and is dependent on the severity of the disability with the maximum weekly amount a person can receive being £184.30 if they receive the enhanced rate for both components
The duration of these benefits can depend but according to DWP latest figures, over 1.5 million people, or 42.4% of the 3.6m PIP claimants have an award lasting five years or longer.
Individuals suffering with musculoskeletal conditions, more than half of claimants, have been granted a longer award and includes conditions such as arthritis and muscle or joint pain.
Around 49.5% suffering with neurological conditions including muscular dystrophy, epilepsy or multiple sclerosis also qualify for longer awards.
Most claimants will have the PIP award regularly reviewed, states the DWP “regardless of the length of the award”.
This review allows “everyone to receive the most appropriate levels of support” but some will receive a limited term award of up to two years.
Limited term awards will not be reviewed with these claimants having no review date as their condition is likely to improve.
