Individuals throughout the UK can now make a declare for monetary help via the Private Independence Cost (PIP) to assist with the extra prices of dwelling with long-Covid signs.
PIP is a profit delivered by the Division for Work and Pensions (DWP) and helps cowl the additional prices chances are you'll face in case you need assistance with each day duties or shifting. The most recent figures from the DWP present that by January 31 2022, there have been nearly 2.9million individuals throughout the nation claiming PIP for a long-term sickness, incapacity or well being situation - together with 305,279 Scots.
Nevertheless, included in these statistics are 850 claimants from Scotland, England and Wales who at the moment are receiving PIP with long-Covid attributed as their principal disabling situation.
Whereas these figures could appear low, it is price noting it is a rise of 137 instances with entitlement since October, 2021.
Individuals dwelling with long-Covid might not be conscious they might be entitled to further monetary help of between £23.70 and £152.15 each week. PIP is paid each 4 weeks, so this quantities to between £94.80 and £608.60 every pay interval.
PIP fee charges will improve on Monday, April 11 - extra particulars in regards to the new charges might be discovered beneath.
As of January 2022, the DWP figures present there have been:
- 726 claimants awarded PIP in England for Coronavirus COVID-19
- 96 claimants awarded PIP in Wales for Coronavirus COVID-19
- 28 claimants awarded PIP InScotland for Coronavirus COVID-19
Nevertheless, the important thing factor to know is that if in case you have been affected solely by long-Covid, or if it has made an present situation worse, then you possibly can be entitled to PIP if in case you have by no means claimed earlier than or an enhanced fee charge in case you are an present claimant.
Discover out in case you can declare PIP by trying on the standards set out by the DWP beneath.
What are the long-term results of coronavirus?
The NHS web site states : “For some individuals, coronavirus (Covid-19) could cause signs that final weeks or months after the an infection has gone. That is generally known as post-Covid-19 syndrome or ‘long-Covid’.”
About long-COVID
How lengthy it takes to recuperate from Covid-19 is totally different for everyone.
Many individuals really feel higher in a number of days or even weeks and most will make a full restoration inside 12 weeks, however for some individuals, signs can last more.
The possibilities of having long-term signs doesn't appear to be linked to how ailing you might be if you first get Covid-19. Individuals who had delicate signs at first can nonetheless have long-term issues.
Signs of long-Covid
There are many signs you'll be able to have after a Covid-19 an infection.
Frequent lengthy COVID signs embrace:
- excessive tiredness (fatigue)
- shortness of breath
- chest ache or tightness
- issues with reminiscence and focus ('mind fog')
- issue sleeping (insomnia)
- coronary heart palpitations
- dizziness
- pins and needles
- joint ache
- despair and nervousness
- tinnitus, earaches
- feeling sick, diarrhoea, abdomen aches, lack of urge for food
- a excessive temperature, cough, complications, sore throat, modifications to sense of odor or style
- Rashes
Who's eligible for PIP?
You do not want to have labored or paid Nationwide Insurance coverage contributions to qualify for PIP, and it doesn't matter what your earnings is, if in case you have any financial savings or in case you’re in or out of labor - or on furlough.
You have to even have a well being situation or incapacity the place you:
have had difficulties with each day dwelling or getting round (or each) for 3 months
count on these difficulties to proceed for at the least 9 months
The DWP will decide the eligibility of your PIP declare on a interval of 12 months, trying again for 3 months and ahead for 9 months - they have to take into account in case your sickness modifications over time.
You often must have lived in Scotland for at the least two of the final three years and be within the nation if you apply.
PIP each day dwelling and mobility take a look at
In case you get or need assistance with any of the next due to your situation, it is best to take into account making use of for PIP:
getting ready, cooking or consuming meals
managing your treatment
washing, bathing or utilizing the bathroom
dressing and undressing
partaking and speaking with different individuals
studying and understanding written data
making choices about cash
planning a journey or following a route
shifting round - outdoors the house
What is classed as ‘assist’ for a PIP declare
You're categorised as needing assist to do an exercise in case you want an individual or a tool to:
Do it for you
Do it with you
Remind you to do it
Watch you do it to maintain you protected
You may additionally be categorised as needing assist in case you do an exercise your self however:
You aren't protected
You can not full the duty effectively sufficient
You can not full the duty typically
It takes you a very long time
PIP take a look at scoring standards
The PIP scoring standards awards factors for an announcement which applies to you for every exercise
The DWP will determine which assertion most closely fits your state of affairs more often than not. You'll get a set quantity of factors starting from 0 -12 for every exercise.
The entire variety of factors you get for every group of actions will determine whether or not you might be entitled to PIP, and the way a lot cash you'll obtain.
To get the usual charge each day dwelling part, it's essential to rating between 8 to 11 factors in complete for the each day dwelling actions. You want 12 factors to get the improved charge.
To get the usual charge mobility part, it's essential to rating between 8 to 11 factors in complete for the mobility actions. You want 12 factors to get the improved charge.
How is PIP paid?
PIP is often paid each 4 weeks except you might be terminally ailing, wherein case it's paid each week.
PIP can be paid straight into your financial institution, constructing society or credit score union account.
What are the PIP fee charges?
PIP is made up of two parts - each day dwelling and mobility.
Whether or not you get one or each of those and the way a lot relies on how severely your situation impacts you.
You would obtain the next quantities per week relying in your circumstances:
Each day dwelling
Customary charge - £60.00 (£61.85 from April 11)
Enhanced charge - £89.60 (£92.40 from April 11)
Mobility
Customary charge - £23.70 (£24.45 from April 11)
Enhanced charge - £62.55 (£64.50 from April 11)
How you might be assessed
You may be assessed by an unbiased healthcare skilled to assist the DWP work out the extent of aid you want.
Face-to-face consultations are supplied alongside phone and video primarily based assessments. All assessments will comply with strict public well being pointers and put the security of the claimant first - we now have a full information on tips on how to put together for assessments right here.
How do you make a declare for PIP?
You can also make a brand new declare by contacting the DWP, you’ll discover all the data it's essential to apply on the gov.uk web site right here.
Earlier than you name, you have to:
your contact particulars, for instance phone quantity
your date of delivery
your Nationwide Insurance coverage quantity - that is on letters about tax, pensions and advantages
your financial institution or constructing society account quantity and type code
your physician or well being employee’s title, deal with and phone quantity
dates and addresses for any time you’ve spent overseas, in a care residence or hospital
After you have contacted the DWP, they may ship you a doc to finish which consists of 14 questions and a bit for any extra data.
The questions concentrate on how your situation impacts you - put as a lot related element in as you'll be able to to assist the assessor perceive your bodily and psychological well being wants.
You probably have issue filling in your kind or understanding the questions, contact your native council and ask for assist or Residents Recommendation Scotland.
We've a breakdown of all 14 questions right here and you may take an nameless self-test on-line at Advantages and Work to see what number of factors you'll be awarded for every response.
For extra details about PIP, go to GOV.UK right here.
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