Personal Independence Payment (PIP) is a benefit designed to help individuals over 16 and under State Pension age cope with the extra daily costs associated with more than 530 health conditions or disabilities. These can be physical, sensory, mental, cognitive, intellectual, or a combination of these.
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) latest statistics show that over 3.6 million people across Great Britain were receiving PIP as of the end of October 2024. Existing claimants will see their award transferred to the devolved system in the coming weeks.
A successful PIP claim is currently worth between £26.90 and £101.75 per week to assist with additional daily living and mobility expenses. However, a PIP award may allow claimants to access means-tested benefits even if they’ve previously been deemed ineligible, reports the Daily Record.
According to the PIP Handbook, it might also be possible to backdate certain benefits to the start of their PIP award. This is because PIP entitlement provides a gateway or passport to other benefits, such as Carer’s Allowance, and schemes sponsored by other departments, like the Blue Badge.
The guidance clarifies that while many benefits and schemes have extra qualifying conditions, there are other ways to access certain benefits, such as the Blue Badge, without relying on a specific rate or component of PIP.
The DWP) has released essential guidance noting: “For DWP benefits, Housing Benefit and Council Tax Reduction, we share information to enable claimants to automatically access other disability benefits and services.”
Furthermore, it emphasises the importance of communication between benefit offices and claimants with the advice: “However, claimants should inform other benefit offices about their entitlement to make sure they’re paid the correct amounts, particularly if there are any changes in their circumstances and awards.”
The guidance reveals that typically, a PIP award letter is crucial evidence for entitlement and highlights that carers may qualify for Income Support during PIP’s assessment phase, which often continues post-approval. The DWP suggests consulting professionals for advice on further benefits access.
With a PIP award, claimants may be entitled to various additional supports. To avoid missing out, beneficiaries should verify their eligibility for all potential support systems available.
Benefits which could be accessed with a PIP award
The following benefits are available:
- Access to Work
- Carer’s Allowance
- Carer’s Credit
- Council Tax Reduction – Scotland only
- Council Tax Discount
- Employment and Support Allowance – only if you get the PIP daily living component
- Housing Benefit
- Income Support
- Jobseeker’s Allowance
- Pension Credit – only if you get the PIP or ADP daily living component
- Universal Credit
If you have already applied for Personal Independence Payment (PIP) or have a general question about your award and what else you might be eligible to claim, you should contact the Disability Service Centre. They can provide advice or information about a claim you’ve already made for PIP, Disability Living Allowance (DLA) or Attendance Allowance.
