What are Personal Independence Payments (PIP)?
Personal Independence Payment (PIP) is a benefit that helps towards some of the extra costs you may have because of a long-term health condition or disability. It is gradually replacing Disability Living Allowance for people aged between 16 and 64.
- How will Personal Independence Payment affect you?
- When will Personal Independence Payment affect you?
- How much Personal Independence Payment will you get?
- Assessments for Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
Who is affected by Personal Independence Payment?
The change only applies if you were aged between 16 and 64 on 8 April 2013, or you turn 16 after that date.
People aged 65 or over (on 8 April 2013) who are already getting Disability Living Allowance will be unaffected.
How will Personal Independence Payment affect you?
The changeover to PIP only applies if you were aged between 16 and 64 on 8 April 2013, or you turn 16 after that date.
People aged 65 or over (on 8 April 2013) who are already getting Disability Living Allowance will be unaffected.
If you’re a new claimant
You will only be able to claim Personal Independence Payment.
If you’re already claiming Disability Living Allowance
If you’re already getting Disability Living Allowance you will get a letter from the Department for Work and Pensions (or the Social Security Agency in Northern Ireland) inviting you to make a claim for Personal Independence Payment.
This will happen even if you currently have an indefinite or lifetime award of Disability Living Allowance. Most people won’t be contacted until October 2015 at the earliest.
The Department for Work and Pensions expects that most people who are getting Disability Living Allowance should qualify for Personal Independence Payment. However, the two benefits have different qualifying conditions, so it’s possible that you might be entitled to a higher or lower rate of payment, or that you won’t be entitled to anything.
Children under 16
You can still claim Disability Living Allowance for a child aged under 16 who has difficulty getting around or who needs more care than a child of the same age who doesn’t have a disability.
When will Personal Independence Payment affect you?
Personal Independence Payment is being introduced in stages. When it will affect you depends on your date of birth and where you live.
How much Personal Independence Payment will you get?
Personal Independence Payment is made up of two components. Each component can be paid at either the standard or the enhanced rate.
Whether you get one component or both, and whether you get the standard or the enhanced rate depends on how your condition affects you. This is worked out at your assessment.
| Standard weekly rate (2015-16) |
Enhanced weekly rate (2015-16)
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily living component | £55.10 |
£82.30
|
| Mobility component | £21.80 | £57.45 |
Assessments for Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
As part of the claim process you will be individually assessed to work out your eligibility for the new benefit.
- The new assessment is designed to determine your individual needs. It will focus on your ability to carry out a range of activities necessary to everyday life.
- It will include gathering information from healthcare and other professionals who work with and support you.
- You will usually have a face-to-face consultation with an independent, trained health professional.
- Your award will be regularly reassessed to make sure you’re getting the right support.
Get more information
Find out more about the Personal Independence Payment on theGOV.UK website or on the Citizens Advice website.
If you live in Northern Ireland, find out more about the Personal Independence Payment on the nidirect website.
This article is provided by the Money Advice Service.
