Personal Independence Payment (PIP) can provide a welcome boost of up to £748 a month, but there are strict criteria to adhere to to claim and certain changes must be reported to avoid being landed with a penalty.
The benefit is distributed by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and targeted to help people who need extra help with daily tasks due to long-term illness, disabilities, or physical or mental health conditions.
But, Britons are urged to remain on top of their applications to avoid facing a severe penalty.
A statement on the DWP website reads: “[PIP claimants] could be taken to court or have to pay a penalty if you give wrong information or do not report a change in your circumstances.”
The DWP then lists seven important changes in circumstance a person must report, as these changes could affect their eligibility for the benefit.
What changes in circumstance have to be reported?
Those claiming or applying for PIP must report the following changes to the DWP:
- Personal details, for example, name, address or doctor
- The help needed or if their condition changes
- Their condition has worsened and they’re not expected to live more than 12 months
- They go into hospital or a care home
- They go abroad
- They’re imprisoned or held in detention
- Their immigration status has changed, if they’re not a British citizen.
If a person doesn’t report a change or a mistake, they might be paid too much and may have to pay some of the money back.
How to report a change in circumstance
To report a change in circumstance, claimants are advised to contact the PIP enquiry line. There are options available for those who need extra help, such as having someone be added to the call, or people can ask a trusted person to speak on their behalf.
Who is eligible for PIP?
To be eligible for PIP, people must be aged 16 or over and the following must apply:
- They have a long-term physical or mental health condition or disability
- They have difficulty doing certain everyday tasks or getting around
- They expect the difficulties to last for at least 12 months from when they started.
There are two components to PIP – a daily living part for those who need help with everyday tasks, and a mobility part for those who need help moving around. Each comes with two rates, a standard rate and an enhanced rate.
Whether people get one or both parts and how much they get depends on how difficult they find individual tasks, and people can apply even if they’re working, have savings, or are already receiving other benefits.
The standard and enhanced payment rates are as follows:
Daily living tasks
- Standard rate – £68.10 a week
- Enhanced rate – £101.75 a week
Mobility tasks
- Standard rate – £26.90 a week
- Enhanced rate – £71 a week.
Those entitled to the full rate can receive up to £172.75 a week, which translates to around £748.58 a month.
The easiest way to claim is to phone the PIP helpline. Claimants must then fill in a form, after which they’ll then undergo an assessment.
