New statistics from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) highlight that by the end of October last year, there were in excess of three million UK residents claiming Personal Independence Payment (PIP).
The same data also shows that almost half a million State Pensioners are also in receipt of the benefit.
Overall, across the UK, some 486,940 elderly parties are receiving support via the disability payment - with PIP providing between £24.45 and £156.90 each week.
Read more: £900 DWP Cost of Living payment dates and who will get the three payments in 2023/2024
The Daily Record reports however, that because the benefit is paid every four weeks - this amounts to in the region of £97.80 to £627.60 every pay period. The new State Pension is at the time of writing worth up to £185.15 each week, with the old Basic Pension only amassing to £141.85.
But an annual uprate in April will see the elderly claiming the new Full State Pension alongside PIP bagging up to £1,506.40 every four weeks - a substantial top up of £138.20.
PIP and State Pension age
When someone reaches State Pension age, they can no longer make a new claim for PIP, Disability Living Allowance (DLA) or Adult Disability Payment (ADP). However, if someone is already receiving PIP, DLA, or ADP when they reach State Pension age, they will continue to receive the benefit until the award ends where it will be reviewed in the normal process.
People who reach State Pension age who are no longer claiming any of the working age disability benefits may also be able to reclaim it - as long as they are claiming for the same health conditions that they initially received the award for and the last claim ended less than 12 months before reaching State Pension age.
For people over State Pension age with a health condition, long-term illness or disability they may be eligible for Attendance Allowance - this is worth either £61.85 or £92.40 every week from DWP.
UK PIP breakdown - October 2022
Number of people of State Pension age claiming PIP:
- England: 393,654
- Scotland: 52,676
- Wales: 40,616
- UK Total: 486,940
Potential income for pensioners claiming PIP from April 2023
The following estimations are based on the Full New State Pension and the maximum PIP award new payment rates from April.
- New State Pension: £203.85 per week x 52 = £10,600.20 per year
- PIP: £172.75 er week x 52 = £8,983 per year
Total combined income payments from April -
- Per week: £376.60
- Per payment period (four weeks): £1,506.40
- Per year: £19,583.20
Overall, this amounts to a potential annual increase of £1,796.60.
New State Pension payment rates from April
- Weekly rate: £203.85, an increase of £18.70 from £185.15
- Four-weekly rate: £815.40, an increase of £74.80 from £740.60
Basic State Pension payment rates from April
- Weekly rate: £156.20, an increase of £14.35 from £141.85
- Four-weekly rate: £624.80, an increase of £57.40 from £567.40
PIP / Adult Disability payments from April
Daily Living Component
- Enhanced: £101.75 (from £92.40)
- Standard: £68.10 (from £61.85)
Mobility Component
- Enhanced: £71.00 (from £64.50)
- Standard: £26.90 (from £24.45)
Cost of living payments 2023/24
Pensioner households in receipt of Pension Credit may also be eligible for the £900 means-tested cost of living payment, £150 if they are claiming a disability payment and the £300 pensioner payment which will be added to Winter Fuel Payments.
Potentially, older people could be eligible for up to £1,350 over the next financial year.
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