Private Independence Cost (PIP) is a profit for folks aged over 16 and underneath State Pension age with a incapacity, long-term sickness or psychological well being situation who need assistance finishing every day duties inside their dwelling or getting round.
The most recent statistics from the Division for Work and Pensions (DWP) present there at the moment are greater than three million folks within the UK, together with some 322,387 dwelling in Scotland, receiving monetary assist of between £24.45 and £156.90 every week by way of PIP - the profit is paid each 4 weeks so this quantities to between £97.80 and £627.60 each fee interval.
How a lot PIP you'll be paid is dependent upon how tough it's so that you can perform sure on a regular basis duties together with getting ready and consuming meals, washing and getting dressed, fundamental rest room wants and shifting round. A PIP award might be indefinite, however is often for a set time frame. The size of which is dependent upon an evaluation of how doubtless it's that your every day dwelling and mobility wants might change over time.
Final month, the DWP not too long ago confirmed that it's going to robotically prolong current PIP awards awaiting overview from the present three months by as much as 12 months. It additionally stated it should do that 35 days earlier than the award is because of finish and notify claimants by textual content message.
A DWP spokesperson advised the Every day Document: “The longer extension gives higher certainty for claimants and particularly, helps with persevering with to entry different assist, for instance a Blue Badge.
“At current, awards awaiting overview have a 3 month extension, repeated as wanted, 28 days earlier than their finish date and other people can request a letter confirming this and stating their persevering with entitlement.”
The DWP can even be sending out letters from October 31 to substantiate the size of the prolonged award.
You probably have claimed for PIP and acquired an award letter, it should let you know what elements you're entitled to - both every day or mobility, or a mixture of each - and the way a lot you'll obtain.
This letter can even let you know how lengthy you'll get this fee for. In case you are awarded PIP for a set interval, you'll be invited to reapply earlier than the award involves an finish.
In the event you obtain both or each enhanced charges of PIP and your well being situation is unlikely to enhance, you might be given an ongoing award of PIP in what's known as a ‘mild contact’ overview - this implies your award might be reviewed each 10 years.
Preserve this award letter in a protected place as it's proof of your entitlement.
New claims for PIP are being changed by the brand new devolved profit, Grownup Incapacity Cost, in Scotland. Current PIP claimants dwelling in Scotland may have their claims robotically transferred from DWP to Social Safety Scotland by the tip of 2025.
You will discover out extra about Grownup Incapacity Cost right here.
Is the quantity of PIP I obtain reviewed?
Your award of PIP could also be reviewed by the DWP at any time, often each 12 months, even when you've got an award for a set period of time.
In some instances, when the DWP evaluations your declare, you might obtain a letter. It will ask you to finish and return an hooked up PIP overview kind earlier than the date proven on the letter.
In the event you don’t ship the shape again in time, the DWP will cease your declare until you've an excellent motive for sending it in late - you will want to inform them why you despatched the shape late.
Nevertheless, if you already know you'll be late returning the letter, name the PIP enquiry line and advise them of this and ask for extra time to finish it.
When the DWP receives your PIP overview kind, they may resolve whether or not your declare ought to cease or proceed.
What if one thing adjustments?
Your PIP award might change if one thing in your life adjustments. For instance, in case your well being will get higher, your PIP might go down or cease. In case your well being will get worse, your PIP award might enhance.
It's as much as you to inform the DWP when your situation will get higher or worse.
In the event you don’t inform the DWP on the time, you might miss out on advantages that you're entitled to or you might be overpaid advantages that you would need to pay again.
In the event you disagree with a choice
You may problem a choice about your PIP declare, that is known as asking for Obligatory Reconsideration.
Particulars about this may be discovered on the GOV.UK web site right here.
What occurs if I am going into hospital?
In case you are 18 or over, your PIP stops after you've been a affected person in hospital for 28 consecutive days. It begins once more after you've been discharged.
What occurs if I am going right into a care dwelling?
The every day dwelling element of your PIP stops after you've been dwelling in a care dwelling for 28 days. It begins once more if and once you depart to dwell independently.
The mobility element of PIP continues to be paid as regular nevertheless lengthy you reside in a care dwelling.
What occurs as I grow old?
Getting older doesn't cease your PIP award however it might cease you from renewing your declare or making a brand new declare.
In case you are over State Pension age and also you need your PIP to proceed, be sure to renew your declare when your present award ends.
There are presently 501,001 folks over State Pension age claiming PIP throughout the UK and 54,166 in Scotland.
In case you are over State Pension age and your final award of PIP ended over a 12 months in the past, you can not renew your declare or make a brand new declare.
You might, nevertheless, have the ability to declare Attendance Allowance as a substitute however this doesn't embrace a mobility element.
For extra details about PIP, go to the GOV.UK web site right here.
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