Britons with medical conditions could get an extra cash boost of up to £172 a week from April 2023, even if they still are able to work. How much someone gets depends on how their condition affects them.
Some three million people across the UK get Personal Independence Payment (PIP). PIP is a benefit awarded by the Department for Work and Pensions to those with long-term mental or physical health problems or disabilities.
It is given to people over 16 if they have difficulty doing certain everyday tasks or getting around.
Individuals can get it if they’re working or have savings as it is not means-tested.
Claimants receive a daily living component and a mobility component, with a lower and higher rate for each part, depending on an individual’s needs.
The current weekly payments are:
Daily living part
- Lower rate – £61.85
- Higher rate – £92.40
Mobility component
- Lower rate – £24.45
- Higher rate – £64.50.
READ MORE: DWP urges pensioners to claim extra £201 each week as thousands miss out – how to apply
Payments will increase by 10.1 percent with the start of the new tax year.
With the payments increase, weekly payments will be:
Daily living part
- Lower rate – £68.10
- Higher rate – £101.75
Mobility part
- Lower rate – £26.90
- Higher rate – £172.75
PIP is paid into people’s accounts every four weeks so that’s a rise from £627.60 to £691 a month as a maximum sum.
Over a year, based on 52 weeks, that equates to £8,158 a year, rising to £8,931 after April 2023.
Don’t miss…
More people are claiming PIP for psychiatric disorders like anxiety, stress, depression and learning disorders than ever before, according to the DWP.
Britons suffering with musculoskeletal conditions such as arthritis, joint pain and hip disorders are also now more likely to put in a PIP claim than previously.
One reason could be heightened awareness about what PIP is, who can claim it and how to appeal if unsuccessful. A new applicant is required to undergo a DWP assessment to establish the extent of their condition’s impact on their day-to-day life. A score will then be assigned according to the applicant’s ability to perform tasks, which will in turn be used to determine precisely how much money they should be awarded in PIP.
How to claim PIP
To start a claim, Britons can call the PIP new claims line on 0800 917 2222 (Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm).
They will need to provide the following information: contact details (such as your telephone number), date of birth, National Insurance number, bank or building society account number and sort code, your doctor or health worker’s details, dates and addresses for any time spent in a care home or hospital, and dates and locations for any time you spent abroad for more than four weeks at a time.
A form is sent out for people to fill in and return within a month and they may be invited to an assessment. More information on claiming PIP can be found on the Government website.
