Around £15billion is wasted in unclaimed benefits every year as millions of people miss out on money they are entitled to.
Personal Independence Payment (PIP) claimants could qualify for 10 additional freebies worth thousands of pounds to help with rising bills.
PIP can help with extra living costs if someone has both a long-term physical or mental health condition or disability and difficulty doing certain everyday tasks or getting around because of it.
Britons can get PIP even if they’re working, have savings or are getting most other benefits.
There are two parts to PIP – a daily living part and a mobility part.
Individuals get the daily living part if they need help with everyday tasks and they could get the mobility part if they need help with getting around.
How much someone gets depends on how difficult they find everyday tasks and getting around.
These are the current weekly rates for the benefit, which is paid every four weeks:
Daily living component
- Standard rate: £68.10
- Enhanced rate: £101.75.
Mobility component
- Standard rate: £26.90
- Enhanced rate: £71.
A person has to be 16 or over to claim PIP and of working age. Their condition must affect their ability to do certain everyday tasks or get around.
There are more than 500 conditions that can qualify a person to receive the benefit if they expect the condition to affect them for at least another 12 months.
Britons who live with a long-term health condition may be able to apply for PIP and boost their income by almost £700 a month.
As well as as monthly cash boost, PIP claimants can qualify for up to 10 freebies and reductions which could help save them thousands.
Lease a vehicle with PIP cash – If someone is awarded the enhanced rate of the mobility component of PIP and has 12 months or more remaining on their current allowance, they may be eligible to join the Motability Scheme.
It’s simple and affordable – people will have over 2,000 cars to choose from and insurance, tax and servicing are all included.
Capped water bills – Some water suppliers offer customers help with their bills if they’re on certain benefits through what’s known as the WaterSure scheme. This sometimes includes those on disability living allowance or PIP.
Council tax discounts – People might also be able to get a council tax discount if they claim the living or mobility part of PIP.
They should contact their local authority to find out what discount they’re entitled to.
Disabled Facilities Grant – People can apply for a Disabled Facilities Grant if they’re disabled and need to make changes to their homes to suit their needs. In England, people can get up to £30,000 in support.
PIP claimants could also get:
- Free prescriptions (depending on illness)
- Reduced price bus or rail fares
- Motability Scheme
- Blue badge in England and Wales
- Vehicle tax discount of up to 100 percent
