Delivered by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), PIP is a benefit designed to help people over the age of 16 and under the state pension age with the extra daily costs of living with a long-term illness, physical or mental health condition or disability. PIP is made up of two different components called the Daily Living Component and the Mobility Component. These are then paid at either the standard rate or the enhanced rate.
For daily living, people could receive either £61.85 a week or £92.40 and for mobility, the rates sit at £24.45 and £64.50.
If someone claims PIP, they may also be able to access other means-tested benefits even if they have previously been told they are not eligible.
According to guidance on the GOV.UK website, it may also be possible to backdate certain benefits to the start of someone’s PIP award.
The DWP guidance states: “Entitlement to PIP provides a gateway or passport to other benefits, such as Carer’s Allowance, and schemes sponsored by other departments, such as the Blue Badge scheme.”
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“For DWP benefits, Housing Benefit and Council Tax Reduction, we share information to enable claimants to automatically access other disability benefits and services.
“However, claimants should inform other benefit offices about their entitlement to make sure they’re paid the correct amounts, particularly if there are any changes in their circumstances and awards.”
The DWP said that for many benefits and schemes, there are additional qualifying conditions however there are alternative ways of accessing the benefit which does not rely on a particular rate or component of PIP.
The benefits that could be an option for PIP claimants include Access to Work, Carer’s Credit, Council Tax Reduction/Discount, Universal Credit, Working Tax Credit and Child Credit.
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The PIP standard rate mobility will also give a person a 50 percent road tax discount, while the enhanced rate mobility gives someone a 100 percent discount.
Claimants of the mobility award for PIP can also be eligible for the Blue Badge Scheme, even if they can’t drive.
People can also apply for a badge if they care for a child with a health condition that affects their mobility.
Depending on what level of PIP a person gets, they may also be eligible for “cash top-ups” on other benefits they receive.
The top-ups can be given to those who claim Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA), Income Support, Working Tax Credit, Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), and Pension Credit.
These are referred to as “premiums”, and some, like the Employment and Support Allowance or Pension Credit, are only given if a person gets the PIP daily living component.
People claiming PIP can also be eligible to get the Severe Disability Premium if they fit certain criteria.
This is an extra £69.40 per week for each person who qualifies.
In most cases, a person will need to use their PIP award letter as their proof of entitlement and the benefits could be backdated to the date on this.
The latest figures from the DWP released in April revealed that 2.9 million people claim PIP in the UK.
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