For those living with a disability or a long-term illness, financial worries shouldn't add to their difficulties. As additional expenses as a result of a condition can sometimes add to financial pressures, the Government can, in some cases, provide a cash boost via a Personal Independence Payment (PIP).
Various conditions could mean you qualify for the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) support with 547 conditions listed under the main disability categories for the benefit. One such category is hearing disorders. According to data from April 2022, some 31,557 people in the UK claimed PIP for hearing disorders.
While the severity and details of the conditions claimed for aren't provided in the data, the information does show that hearing disorders are listed under the benefit. According to Disability Rights UK, a DWP review stated that an Upper Tribunal judgment , of 21 August 2020, enabled a "higher number of D/deaf people to successfully obtain PIP".
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So just how do you claim for the Government benefit if you think you are eligible? Below is an explanation of the details provided by the Government, including how to make a claim for PIP, who is eligible, how much you might get if you qualify, how it is paid and what other help you might be able to apply for.
What you need to know about PIP
If you are living with an illness or disability that impacts your day-to-day life, then you may be able to apply for PIP. This is a benefit that is gradually replacing Disability Living Allowance (DLA).
Who is eligible and what happens at an assessment
PIP is designed to provide help with extra living costs if you have a long-term physical or mental health condition or disability. How much you'll get will depend upon your condition's severity and how it impacts on your day-to-day life. If you apply for the benefit, you will be assessed by a health professional to work out the level of help you can get and your rate will be reviewed to make sure you are getting the right support.
To be eligible for PIP, you must by over 16 and have a long-term physical or mental health condition or disability which means you have difficulties doing certain everyday tasks or getting around. Claimants should expect their difficulties to continue for at least 12 from when they started.
If you get or need help with any of the following because of your condition, you should consider applying.
- 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 outside the home
Assessments will be made on how difficult you find daily living and mobility tasks. For each task they will look at:
- whether you can do it safely
- how long it takes you
- how often your condition affects this activity
- whether you need help to do it, from a person or using extra equipment
There are different rules if you are terminally ill, you will find these on the GOV.UK website.
How much you'll get
There are two parts to the payment - daily living, and mobility - and you will need an assessment to work out the level of financial help you will receive. Whether you get one or both of these and how much depends on how severely your condition affects you. How much you get will depend on how difficult you find certain activities. Your rate will be regularly reviewed to make sure you are getting the right support.
You will be paid the following amounts per week depending on your circumstances:
Daily living
Standard rate: £61.85
Enhanced rate: £92.40
Mobility
Standard rate: £24.45
Enhanced rate: £64.50
In April 2023, certain benefit amounts are increasing. The boost comes after Chancellor of the Exchequer Jeremy Hunt's Autumn Statement. The news was delivered alongside confirmation that state pension and benefits will increase by 10.1%, in line with the September Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation rate.
The proposed payment rate changes have been published by DWP on the Government website - GOV.UK. It means people in receipt of PIP or DLA - Adult Disability Payment and Child Disability Payment for those living in Scotland, which is the replacement for PIP north of the border - could receive regular payments every four weeks of between £107.60 and £691. At present, claimants can receive between £97.80 and £627.60 every payment period.
How is PIP paid?
PIP is usually paid every four weeks unless you are terminally ill, in which case it is paid weekly. PIP will be paid directly into your bank, building society or credit union account.
Other help you can get
According to the Goverment website, if you get the mobility part of PIP, you might be eligible for a:
- Blue Badge
- vehicle tax discount or exemption
- Motability Scheme vehicle, if you get the higher mobility rate of PIP
Visit the Government website for details of other help that you may to eligible for.
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