The number of cases of diabetes in the UK has topped five million for the first time amid rising levels of obesity. Diabetes UK said that almost 4.3 million people have been diagnosed with diabetes, however, an estimated 850,000 are living with the condition but have not yet been formally diagnosed.
The charity has also estimated that more than 2.4 million people are at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes in the UK. Some 36,985 working age adults across Scotland, England and Wales are set to receive up to £691 every four weeks through Personal Independence Payment (PIP) or Adult Disability Payment (ADP), following the annual uprating on April 10 to help with the additional costs of daily living or mobility needs as a result of diabetes.
Thousands of people living with diabetes may not be aware of the financial support available from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) through PIP, or Social Security Scotland for ADP.
Adult Disability Payment follows similar eligibility criteria and payment rates to PIP, but anyone making a new claim in Scotland should apply for ADP instead - find out more about this here.
The latest figures from the DWP show that at the end of January 2023, there were 3.25 million people across the country claiming support through PIP, with just over one in three claimants (35%) receiving the highest level of award.
Of the overall total, 319,000 people living in Scotland are now receiving financial support of between £26.90 and £172.75 each week and as the benefit is paid every four weeks, this amounts to between £107.60 and £691.00 every payment period.
Breakdown of PIP claimants with diabetes
The DWP statistics also show there are 36,985 people claiming PIP for diabetes.
This includes:
- Scotland: 3,766 claimants (does not include those on ADP)
- England and Wales: 33,223 claimants
Diabetes conditions supported through PIP
- Diabetes mellitus Type 1 (insulin dependent): 11,916 claimants
- Diabetes mellitus Type 2 (non insulin dependent): 13,052 claimants
- Diabetes mellitus (category unknown): 11,713 claimants
If you are over 16 and under State Pension age, you may be able to claim PIP to help with a health condition, and if your ability to work is limited due to your symptoms you could be eligible for ‘new style’ Employment and Support Allowance (ESA).
Even though PIP is being replaced in Scotland by Adult Disability Payment, it will follow the same eligibility criteria, but take a more ‘people-centric’ approach, according to Social Security Scotland.
What is PIP?
PIP is a benefit which is gradually replacing DLA. If you need extra help because of an illness, disability or mental health condition you could be eligible for PIP.
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.
Who is eligible for PIP or ADP?
To be eligible for PIP or ADP, you must have a health condition or disability where you:
have had difficulties with daily living or getting around (or both) for 3 months
expect these difficulties to continue for at least 9 months
You usually need to have lived in the UK for at least two of the last three years and be in the country when you apply.
In addition to what we have outlined above if you get or need help with any of the following because of your condition, you should consider applying for PIP or ADP.
- 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
There are different rules if you are terminally ill, you will find these on the GOV.UK website here.
DWP or Social Security Scotland will assess 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
How are PIP and ADP paid?
PIP and ADP are usually paid every four weeks unless you are terminally ill, in which case it is paid weekly. It will be paid directly into your bank, building society or credit union account.
ADP is paid at the same rates as PIP.
What are the PIP and ADP payment rates?
You will need an assessment to work out the level of financial help you will receive and your rate will be regularly reviewed to make sure you are getting the right support.
PIP is made up of two components:
Daily living
Mobility
Whether you get one or both of these and how much depends on how severely your condition affects you.
You will be paid the following amounts per week from April 10 depending on your circumstances:
Daily living
Standard rate: £68.10
Enhanced rate: £101.75
Mobility
Standard rate: £26.90
Enhanced rate: £71.00
How you are assessed
You will be assessed by an independent healthcare professional to help the DWP determine the level of financial support, if any, you need, for PIP.
Face-to-face consultations for health-related benefits are offered alongside video calls, telephone and paper-based assessments - it's important to be aware that there is no choice here, it's up to the health professional and DWP.
Adult Disability Payment assessments will not involve face-to-face assessments, unless this is preferred by the claimant - find out more about the changes here.
You can find out more about DWP PIP assessments here.
How do you make a claim for PIP?
You can make a new claim by contacting the DWP, you will find all the information you need to apply on the GOV.UK website here.
Before you call, you will need:
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 contacted the DWP, they will send you a document to complete which consists of 14 questions. This includes space for any additional information you feel is relevant to your claim.
The questions focus on how your condition affects you, so put as much detail in as you can to help the assessor understand your physical or mental health needs.
If you have difficulty filling in your form or understanding the questions, contact your local council and ask for help or Citizens Advice Scotland.
There is also an online PIP toolkit with examples of all the questions to help you answer fully with the most relevant information, find out more about this here.
Even if you don't qualify for financial support, you could be eligible for a National Entitlement Travel Card, which offers free or reduced travel across Scotland on most public transport links.
For more information about PIP, visit GOV.UK here.
How to apply for Adult Disability Payment
People can apply ADP, over the phone, by post or in-person. To find out more or apply, visit the dedicated pages on mygov.scot here or call Social Security Scotland on 0800 182 2222.
To keep up to date with the latest PIP or ADP news, join our Money Saving Scotland Facebook page here, follow us on Twitter @Record_Money, or subscribe to our newsletter which goes out Monday to Friday - sign up here.
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