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 revenue with day by day residing prices.
That determine is predicted to rise this yr after modifications to the taper price and work allowance rule in November 2021 now signifies that an estimated 500,000 extra individuals could also be eligible for help by Common Credit score or Jobseeker's Allowance. Nonetheless, many new and present 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 Cost (PIP).
The most recent PIP information from the DWP present that on the finish of April, 2022 there have been 3 million individuals throughout the UK claiming help by Private Independence Funds (PIP), with simply over one in three claimants (35%) receiving the very best degree of award.
Of the general whole, 313,620 individuals residing in Scotland are actually receiving monetary help of between £24.45 and £156.90 every week and because the profit is paid each 4 weeks, this quantities to between £97.80 and £627.60 each cost interval.
Beneath is a fast information to PIP that will help you resolve for those who ought to take into account making a declare.
PIP is being changed in Scotland by the Grownup Incapacity Cost, which is able to observe the identical eligibility standards, however will take a extra people-centred method - discover out extra right here.
What's PIP?
PIP is a profit for these over 16 and underneath State Pension age, that may assist with day by day residing prices and mobility wants as the results of a long-term sickness, incapacity or psychological well being situation.
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 revenue is, how a lot you've in financial savings, or whether or not you are at present employed.
The largest false impression about PIP is that the DWP will solely award the profit to individuals with outwardly seen bodily, long-term well being situations or disabilities.
In actual fact, PIP is a profit aimed toward offering help for individuals with an ever-evolving checklist of 'hidden' situations, together with stress, anxiousness and despair.
To be eligible for PIP, you could have a well being situation or incapacity the place you:
have had difficulties with day by day residing or getting round (or each) for 3 months
count on these difficulties to proceed for at the least 9 months
You often have to have lived within the UK for at the least two of the final three years and be within the nation whenever you apply.
Who's eligible for PIP?
If you happen to get or need assistance with any of the next due to your situation, it's best to take into account making use of for PIP:
- getting ready, cooking or consuming meals
- managing your remedy
- washing, bathing or utilizing the bathroom
- dressing and undressing
- partaking and speaking with different individuals
- studying and understanding written data
- making selections about cash
- planning a journey or following a route
- transferring round
There are completely different guidelines if you're terminally unwell, you can see these on the GOV.UK web site right here.
How is PIP paid?
PIP is often paid each 4 weeks until you might be terminally unwell, wherein case it's paid each week.
PIP will likely be paid instantly into your financial institution, constructing society or credit score union account.
PIP cost charges for 2022/23
You will have an evaluation to work out the extent of monetary assist you'll obtain and your price will likely be repeatedly reviewed to be sure you are getting the best help.
PIP is made up of two parts:
Every 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 may be paid the next quantities per week relying in your circumstances:
Every day residing
Commonplace price: £61.85
Enhanced price: £92.40
Mobility
Commonplace price: £24.45
Enhanced price: £64.50
How you might be assessed
You may 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, are actually supplied by the DWP alongside phone, video name and paper-based consultations.
You will discover assistance on getting ready for any sort of PIP evaluation right here.
How do you make a declare for PIP?
You may make a brand new declare by contacting the DWP, you can see all the knowledge it's essential to apply on the GOV.UK web site right here.
Earlier than you name, you will have:
your contact particulars
your date of start
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 identify, handle and phone quantity
dates and addresses for any time you’ve spent overseas, in a care dwelling or hospital
Upon getting contacted the DWP, they may ship you a doc to finish which consists of 14 questions. This contains area for any extra data 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'll be able to to assist the assessor perceive your bodily or psychological well being wants.
If in case you have problem filling in your type or understanding the questions, contact your native council and ask for assist or Residents Recommendation Scotland.
Now we have a breakdown of all 14 questions right here and you'll take an nameless self-test on-line at Advantages and Work to see what number of factors you'd be awarded for every response.
There's additionally a web based PIP toolkit with examples of all of the questions that will help you reply absolutely with probably the most related data, discover out extra about this right here.
Even for those who do not qualify for monetary help, you possibly can be eligible for a Nationwide Entitlement Journey Card, which gives free or decreased 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, observe Document Cash on Twitter right here, or subscribe to our twice weekly e-newsletter right here.