Each and every year, millions of Britons are paid Personal Independence Payment (PIP) benefits, to aid them in their day-to-day lives.
Those who suffer from certain conditions or select illnesses can receive a monthly PIP payment, paid directly by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), but the amount of financial assistance given to claimants differs from case to case, based on the disability they have and how it impacts their lives.
The DWP has also recently revealed that just under three million across the UK currently receive the benefit - introduced in April 2013 under the Government's Welfare Reform.
Read more: DWP benefits could be slashed and state pension triple lock ditched in April
The Mirror reports that the monetary boost is paid every four weeks, and claimants can receive anywhere in the region of £97.80 to £627.60 each month. It also falls under two sectors - one highlighting struggles with everyday tasks, and the other comes as mobility support for those who need help moving around.
Both of which come with two subsequent rates - standard and enhanced. Being eligible to claim the Government-funded support depends on the difficulty of everyday tasks and getting around in claimants.
According to the DWP's recent quarterly review - some 35 per cent of all claimants are awarded the enhanced payment. The report also highlighted the five most common disabling conditions that people can claim for.
Here, Chronicle Live breaks it down.
Psychiatric disorders
Statistics released this year show that 37 per cent of people claiming PIP are reviewed for having a psychiatric disorder. This makes it the most common condition people are claiming for. Psychiatric conditions can include anxiety, stress, depressive and mood disorders, OCD and cognitive disorders.
Musculoskeletal disease (general)
This includes conditions that affect the muscles, bones, and or joints. It includes conditions such as arthritis.
Musculoskeletal disease (regional)
This includes a group of conditions that affect the musculoskeletal system, including muscles, tendons, ligaments, bones, and joints in a particular part of the body.
Neurological diseases
Anyone who suffers from muscular dystrophy, epilepsy, headache, multiple sclerosis, neuropathy, and other movement disorders comes under this category.
Respiratory diseases
Conditions include asthma, diseases of the upper respiratory tract, pulmonary fibrosis, and cystic fibrosis.
What are the PIP pay rates?
All payments vary depending on the condition a claimant has and how the DWP thinks it affects their daily life.
There are two rates for each component, including:
Daily living tasks -
- Standard rate - £61.85 a week (2022/2023). Equivalent to £247.40 a month or £3,216.20 a year
- Enhanced rate - £92.40 a week (2022/2023). Equivalent to £369.60 a month or £4,804.80 a year.
Mobility tasks -
- Standard rate - £24.45 a week (2022/2023). Equivalent to £97.80 a month or £1,271.40 a year
- Enhanced rate - £64.50 a week (2022/2023). Equivalent to £258 a month or £3,354 a year.
Benefits and Work say the decision about a person's entitlement to the daily living component and the rate depends on the number of points scored in the following activities:
- Preparing food
- Taking nutrition
- Managing therapy or monitoring a health condition
- Washing and bathing
- Managing toilet needs or incontinence
- Dressing and undressing
- Communicating verbally
- Reading and understanding signs, symbols and words
- Engaging with other people face-to-face
- Making budgeting decisions
Claimants are given points for each of the 10 categories. To be eligible for the daily living component, people need to score:
- Eight points for the standard rate
- 12 points for the enhanced rate.
The decision about whether a person should get the mobility component, and at what rate, is based on the number of points they score for:
- Planning and following journeys
- Moving around outside the home
Both of these activities are divided into a number of point-scoring descriptors. Claimants can get an award for the mobility component if they score:
- Eight points for the standard rate
- 12 points for the enhanced rate
To be eligible for PIP, all of the following must apply to the claimant:
- They’re 16 or over
- They have a long-term physical or mental health condition or disability
- They have difficulty doing certain everyday tasks or getting around
- They expect the difficulties to last for at least 12 months from when they started
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