The most recent statistics from the Division for Work and Pensions (DWP) present that in January 2022 there have been 5.6 million individuals throughout the UK receiving monetary help by Common Credit score, a profit meant to assist these out of labor or on a low earnings with every day residing prices.
That determine is predicted to rise this 12 months after modifications to the taper price and work allowance rule in November now signifies that an estimated 500,000 extra individuals might now be eligible for help by Common Credit score.
Nevertheless, many new and current profit claimants might not be conscious that they is also eligible for added help on prime of a Common Credit score declare by Private Independence Fee (PIP).
What's PIP?
PIP is a profit for these over 16 and underneath State Pension age, that may assist with every day residing prices and mobility wants as the results of a long-term sickness, incapacity or psychological well being situation - and it might be value tons of of kilos each month.
There are almost 2.9 million individuals within the UK, together with greater than 305,000 residing in Scotland, receiving monetary help of between £24.45 and £156.90 every week - the profit is paid each 4 weeks so this quantities to between £97.80 and £627.60 each fee interval.
You don’t have to have labored or paid Nationwide Insurance coverage to qualify for PIP. It isn’t means-tested both, so it doesn’t matter what your earnings is, how a lot you will have in financial savings, or whether or not you are at present employed.
The most important false impression about PIP is that the DWP will solely award the profit to individuals with outwardly seen bodily, long-term well being circumstances or disabilities.
In actual fact, PIP is a profit geared toward offering help for individuals with an ever-evolving checklist of 'hidden' circumstances, together with stress, nervousness and melancholy.
To be eligible for PIP, you need to have a well being situation or incapacity the place you:
have had difficulties with every day residing or getting round (or each) for 3 months
count on these difficulties to proceed for at the very least 9 months
You normally have to have lived within the UK for at the very least two of the final three years and be within the nation whenever you apply.
Beneath is our fast information to PIP together with what it's, who's eligible, how a lot you could possibly get every month and the way you're assessed.
We even have a devoted part on the Day by day Document web site which provides assist in understanding the method from begin to end and consists of questions on the shape, what occurs throughout an evaluation and a complete breakdown of the questions you'll need to reply - these and extra might be discovered right here.
Who's eligible for PIP?
In case you get or need assistance with any of the next due to your situation, you must take into account making use of for PIP:
- making ready, cooking or consuming meals
- managing your medicine
- washing, bathing or utilizing the bathroom
- dressing and undressing
- participating and speaking with different individuals
- studying and understanding written info
- making selections about cash
- planning a journey or following a route
- transferring round
There are totally different guidelines if you're terminally unwell, one can find these on the GOV.UK web site right here.
How is PIP paid?
PIP is normally paid each 4 weeks until you're terminally unwell, during which case it's paid each week.
PIP shall be paid immediately into your financial institution, constructing society or credit score union account.
PIP fee charges for 2022/23
You will have an evaluation to work out the extent of monetary assist you'll obtain and your price shall be usually reviewed to be sure you are getting the suitable help.
PIP is made up of two parts:
Day by day residing
Mobility
Whether or not you get one or each of those and the way a lot will depend on how severely your situation impacts you.
You'll be paid the next quantities per week relying in your circumstances:
Day by day residing
Commonplace price: £61.85
Enhanced price: £92.40
Mobility
Commonplace price: £24.45
Enhanced price: £64.50
How you're assessed
You'll be assessed by an unbiased healthcare skilled to assist the DWP decide the extent of monetary help, if any, you want.
Face-to-face assessments for health-related advantages, together with PIP, at the moment are supplied by the DWP alongside phone, video name and paper-based consultations.
You could find assistance on making ready for any sort of PIP evaluation right here.
How do you make a declare for PIP?
You can also make a brand new declare by contacting the DWP, one can find all the knowledge you might want to apply on the GOV.UK web site right here.
Earlier than you name, you'll need:
your contact particulars
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 kind code
your physician or well being employee’s title, handle and phone quantity
dates and addresses for any time you’ve spent overseas, in a care house or hospital
Upon getting contacted the DWP, they may ship you a doc to finish which consists of 14 questions. This consists of area for any further info you're feeling is related to your declare.
The questions concentrate on how your situation impacts you, so put as a lot element in as you possibly can to assist the assessor perceive your bodily or psychological well being wants.
You probably have problem filling in your kind or understanding the questions, contact your native council and ask for assist or Residents Recommendation Scotland.
We've got 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'd be awarded for every response.
Get the most recent Document Cash information
Be part of the dialog on our Cash Saving Scotland Fb group for vitality and money-saving ideas, the most recent advantages information, client assist and recommendation on dealing with the price of residing disaster.
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You can too comply with us on Twitter @Recordmoney_ for normal updates all through the day.
There's additionally an internet PIP toolkit with examples of all of the questions that will help you reply totally with essentially the most related info, discover out extra about this right here.
Even in case you do not qualify for monetary help, you could possibly be eligible for a Nationwide Entitlement Journey Card, which provides free or diminished journey throughout Scotland on most public transport hyperlinks.
For extra details about PIP, go to GOV.UK right here.
To maintain updated with the most recent PIP information, be part of our Cash Saving Scotland Fb group right here, comply with Document Cash on Twitter right here, or subscribe to our twice weekly publication right here.