People with skin or eye issues could be eligible for weekly Department for Work and Pension (DWP) payments of £150, an expert has explained.
Personal Independence Payment (PIP) is available to people in Britain who suffer from long-term health conditions.
Nearly three million people across the country are eligible for the disability benefit but some people with skin and eye conditions may not realise they qualify, reports Lancs Live.
Paul Brennan, director of Benefit Answers, said: “You don’t need a serious physical disability to claim PIP - there are currently 2,217 people across the UK claiming support for sleep apnea and conditions of the upper respiratory tract.
“If a skin condition like bullous pemphigoid or any other ailment means that you need help with preparing food, bathing, using the toilet, dressing, moving, or planning a journey - you should consider applying for PIP.
“Even if you’re in employment, you could be entitled to pay outs of up to £156 per week to help with your costs.”
“If a skin condition like bullous pemphigoid or any other ailment means that you need help with preparing food, bathing, using the toilet, dressing, moving, or planning a journey - you should consider applying for PIP."
Who is eligible for PIP?
According to the DWP, the following health conditions could make someone qualify for the benefit payment:
- Malignant disease
- Skin disease
- Infectious disease
- Cardiovascular disease
- Gastrointestinal disease
- Haematological disease
- Diseases of the liver, gallbladder and biliary tract
- Respiratory disease
- Diseases of the immune system
- Musculoskeletal disease
- Autoimmune disease
- Genitourinary disease
- Endocrine disease
- Metabolic disease
- Neurological disease
- Visual disease
- Psychiatric disorders
- Multisystem and extremes of age
- Hearing disorders.
How much someone qualifies depends on how their condition affects them on a daily basis, not on the condition itself. The benefits expert encouraged those who are looking to claim PIP to take extra care when filling out their application.
She added: “The DWP will send you a form focusing on how your condition affects you. Make sure you’re putting in as much detail as you can so that they have a crystal clear picture of your physical or mental health needs.”
Claimants of PIP will be anxiously waiting for the new Chancellor Jeremy Hunt ’s fiscal statement later this month. The Government is expected to announce the rate at which it will raise benefit payments by, including PIP.
Speaking previously to Express.co.uk, a DWP spokesperson said: “The Secretary of State commences her statutory annual review of benefits and state pensions from late October using the most recent prices and earnings indices available.
“We are committed to looking after the most vulnerable which is why we’ve delivered at least £1,200 of support to families this winter while also saving households an average of £1,000 a year through our Energy Price Guarantee. This support is on top of the annual working-age benefits bill which is over £87billion.”
