How to claim Personal Independence Payment if you struggle with daily tasks or mobility

Folks with long-term psychological or bodily well being issues that make on a regular basis duties or getting round tough can apply for monetary help.

How a lot you obtain and the way lengthy you get it for will depend on the seriousness of your medical situation or incapacity and the way severely it impacts your life.

In the event you suppose you may be eligible for Private Independence Fee, you’ll be assessed in two methods – each day residing duties and mobility. You may obtain weekly funds for one or each relying on the end result of your declare.

PIP is changing the Incapacity Residing Allowance, except you might be beneath 16 or had been born on or earlier than 8 April 1948.

It’s tax free and isn’t affected by your earnings or financial savings, or most different advantages. We clarify the principles, the way to apply, and the place you possibly can flip for assist under.

Making use of for Private Independence Fee: Getting began

The each day residing and mobility components of the The Private Independence Fee are paid at commonplace or enhanced weekly charges. Funds are made each 4 weeks right into a financial institution, constructing society or credit score union account.

You can begin your declare by cellphone or in writing, then you’ll be despatched a type to finish. On-line functions are being examined however are presently solely allowed in case you reside in sure postcodes.

Telephone 0800 917 2222 or discover various PIP contact particulars right here. In the event you need assistance you possibly can have somebody with you on the decision, or they will name in your behalf so long as you might be current on the time.

The Authorities advises having the next data prepared once you name: contact particulars, date of start, Nationwide Insurance coverage quantity in case you have one, financial institution or constructing society account quantity and kind code, physician or well being employee’s identify and make contact with particulars, dates and addresses for care properties or hospitals you could have frolicked in, and dates for any intervals you spent greater than 4 weeks overseas and the international locations visited.

Scotland has began introducing Grownup Incapacity Fee as an alternative of PIP, which will probably be rolled out by summer season 2024. In the event you reside in Northern Eire, go to NI Direct.

If you’re presently on Incapacity Residing Allowance, then except you’re a baby or over the cut-off age the Authorities will finally write to you about receiving PIP as an alternative.

Kids reaching the age of 16 won’t be moved onto PIP if they’ve 12 months or much less to reside or are in hospital.

How is PIP assessed?

In relation to making a declare, you’ll be assessed in your skill to deal with each day residing duties and your mobility.

Examples of on a regular basis residing folks may wrestle with are making meals and consuming and consuming, managing medicines, utilizing the bathroom and toilet, and coping with cash.

Mobility issues embrace figuring out a route and following it, shifting round and leaving dwelling. This may be on account of psychological or bodily situations.

The Authorities says it can assess whether or not you are able to do duties safely, how lengthy they take, how typically you might be affected and what allow you to require.

The incapacity equality charity Scope has helpful recommendations on filling in a PIP type, and the way finest to current your data. It says: ‘For every exercise, there’s a listing of PIP descriptors.

‘Whenever you’re filling within the type, embrace the descriptor and all the time use the phrase “as a result of” in your reply. Attempt to give examples of difficulties or accidents you’ve had when making an attempt the exercise, or once you’ve wanted assist or used an support.’

It provides: ‘Don’t exaggerate however when offering examples, be ready to explain your dangerous days.

‘What appears regular or straightforward to you won’t be to others, particularly in case you’ve tailored due to your situation. Ensure you embrace the whole lot you discover tough or unimaginable to do, even when it’s not every single day. And clarify why it’s tough or unimaginable.’

What are different PIP eligibility guidelines?

To use for PIP, you often have to have been resident in Nice Britain now and for not less than two of the previous three years.

There are exemptions in case you reside overseas and work within the armed forces or are a member of the family of somebody who does, or in case you have just lately returned from an EU nation, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein. There are separate guidelines for non-British residents.

In the event you may need 12 months or much less to reside, there’s a completely different declare and evaluation course of.

Folks already on PIP can keep on getting it after they attain state pension age. If you’re over 66 and have to make a brand new declare, then except you beforehand acquired DLA or PIP within the 12 months earlier than you reached state pension age, you have to apply for Attendance Allowance as an alternative.

PIP choices and the way to problem them

Whenever you get a call letter in response to your declare, if you’re profitable it ought to let you know when funds will begin, which day of the week they may arrive (each 4 weeks), how lengthy the PIP award is for, and when your declare will probably be reviewed except it’s indefinite. 

Indefinite awards for critical situations are nonetheless reviewed each 10 years.

The Authorities has details about PIP opinions right here. You’re anticipated to report any change of circumstance, similar to along with your private particulars, situation or residence, on the PIP enquiry line 0800 121 4433.

If you’re refused PIP or wish to problem a call you possibly can ask for a ‘obligatory reconsideration’.

You may wish to enlist the assistance of a charity from the beginning, however particularly in case you get into problem with an preliminary declare or with a evaluate. 

An organisation most related to your medical situation or incapacity is an effective start line for data or assist, or see the listing under as a few of them provide direct help with claims.

The place are you able to get assist with a declare?

Listed below are some sources of assist with Private Independence Fee claims.

Scope

Residents Recommendation

Turn2us

Carer’s UK

Age UK

Thoughts