Many people across Scotland will be familiar with snoring, whether they do it themselves or are kept up at night by a partner.
Snoring refers to noisy breathing whilst asleep, and is a common problem that can affect anybody. However, it is more common in men and people who are overweight or older.
Whilst the occasional snore isn't usually a major problem, chronic snoring can cause significant disruption to both your own sleep and the sleep of those around you.
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It may also be a symptom of a deeper health problem such as obstructive sleep apnea. This occurs when the muscles found at the back of your throat do not allow for normal breathing.
At the moment, there are approximately 2,210 people throughout the UK who claim Personal Independence Payment (PIP) for sleep apnea and other conditions affecting the upper respiratory tract. This is worth between £97.80 and £627.60 every four weeks.
People in Scotland who make a new PIP claim will be directed by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to apply for Adult Disability Payment (ADP). This is a new devolved benefit that is delivered by Social Security Scotland.
Both eligibility criteria and payment rates are the same for ADP and PIP. New data from the DWP reveals that more than 310,000 people in Scotland claim PIP.
Of this number, just over 200 claim the benefit for sleep apnea and other upper respiratory tract issues.
As reported by the Daily Record, read on for a short guide to PIP and ADP.
Who is eligible for PIP?
In order to qualify for PIP or ADP, you must have a disability or health condition that has resulted in you having had difficulties with daily life or getting around for three months prior, and you must expect these difficulties to continue for at least nine more months.
In most cases, you also must have lived in the UK for at least two out of the past three years when you apply, and you must be in the UK when making a claim.
If you require or already receive help with any of the following, then you should consider making a claim:
- preparing, cooking or eating food
- managing your medication
- washing, bathing or using the toilet
- dressing and undressing
- engaging and communicating with other people
- reading and understanding written information
- making decisions about money
- planning a journey or following a route
- moving around
How is PIP or ADP paid?
ADP claimants receive the same amount as those who get PIP. Both are paid every four weeks, unless you are terminally ill in which case you will get it weekly.
What are the payment rates?
Upon making a claim, you will need to be assessed by a healthcare professional in order to gauge how much financial aid you require. Your rate will be reviewed on a regular basis.
For claimants in Scotland, this assessment will be made through the information given in the application form, as well as evidence provided by your doctor or carer. Claimants elsewhere in the UK will be required to attend an assessment either in person or over the phone.
PIP consists of two separate components: a daily living component and a mobility component. Whether you receive one of these or both is dependent on how your condition or disability affects you.
You will be get the following amounts per week dependent on your condition:
Daily living
Standard rate: £61.85
Enhanced rate: £92.40
Mobility
Standard rate: £24.45
Enhanced rate: £64.50
Making a new claim for ADP
You are only able to apply for ADP if it is available in your area. If it is not, you will have to either wait until August 29 or apply for PIP instead.
ADP is open to new applications in:
- Aberdeen City
- Aberdeenshire
- Angus
- Dundee City
- East Ayrshire
- Fife
- Moray
- North Ayrshire
- North Lanarkshire
- Perth and Kinross
- South Ayrshire
- South Lanarkshire
- Western Isles
How do you make a new claim for PIP?
To apply for PIP, you will need to get in touch with the DWP. All the information you need to know is on the GOV.UK website here.
Before contacting the DWP, you will have to have:
your contact details
your date of birth
your National Insurance number - this is on letters about tax, pensions and benefits
your bank or building society account number and sort code
your doctor or health worker’s name, address and telephone number
dates and addresses for any time you’ve spent abroad, in a care home or hospital
Once you have gotten in touch with the DWP, you will receive a document consisting of 14 questions — as well as space to write down additional information.
These questions will ask about how your condition or disability affects your day-to-day life, so it is recommended you include as much information as possible.
If you require help making sense of the questions of completing the form, get in touch with your local council for advice or reach out to Citizens Advice Scotland.
For more information about PIP, visit GOV.UK here.
Check online if you qualify for Adult Disability Payment
Those applying for ADP can look online and see if they qualify for the benefit before making a claim using an online tool. It will ask you about:
- where you live
- any restrictions on your right to live in the UK
- if you're on other benefits
- your age
You will not be asked about your disability or health condition.
If you do not qualify for ADP, the Social Security Scotland tool will tell you what other benefits you may be able to claim.
Check if you qualify for Adult Disability Payment here.
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