An additional tax-free payment of up to £624 every month may be available to Universal Credit claimants. The monthly payment, managed by the Department for Work and Pensions, is to help with living costs.
But those who need help due to an illness, disability or mental health condition could qualify for more financial support from through Personal Independence Payments (PIP). Eligible new and existing Universal Credit claimants could receive weekly payments of up to £156.
A report from the Joseph Rowntree Foundation said that low income families are enduring a "year of financial fear" and making grim choices such as falling behind on bills, going without essentials or taking on expensive debt. JRF is called for an increase in basic Universal Credit entitlements to help combat this.
READ NEXT - Bristol weather: Met Office's severe weather warning as storms set to batter city
It found that 94% of UC recipients with a deduction from their payments were going without essentials, as were just over three-quarters (76%) of UC recipients without a deduction. More than seven in 10 (72%) UC recipients with deductions had gone hungry in the previous 30 days, compared with four in 10 (42%) without deductions, LancsLive reports.
According to figures from DWP, there were 5.6 million people across the UK receiving financial support through Universal Credit in January 2022. The latest PIP data shows that at the end of April there were three million people across the UK claiming PIP support with just over one in three claimants (35%) receiving the highest level of award.
Here is a guide to PIP and all you need to know to decide if you should make a claim:
What is PIP?
PIP is a benefit that can help with daily living costs and mobility needs as the result of a long-term illness, disability or mental health condition. It is available for those over the age of 16 and under State Pension age.
In order to make a claim, you don't need to have worked or paid National Insurance. It isn’t means-tested either, so it doesn’t matter what your income is, how much you have in savings, or whether you're currently employed.
A big misconception about PIP is that it is only awarded to people with outwardly visible physical, long-term health conditions or disabilities. In fact, it is aimed at providing support for people with an ever-evolving list of 'hidden' conditions, including stress, anxiety and depression. To be eligible for PIP, 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.
Who is eligible for PIP?
If you get or need help with any of the following because of your condition, you should consider applying for PIP:
- 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.
How is PIP paid?
PIP is usually paid every four weeks. Although it is paid every week to those who are terminally ill. It is paid directly into your bank, building society or credit union account.
PIP payment rates
An assessment will be carried out to calculate 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 depending on your circumstances:
Daily living
Standard rate: £61.85
Enhanced rate: £92.40
Mobility
Standard rate: £24.45
Enhanced rate: £64.50
How you are assessed
An independent healthcare professional will conduct an assessment to help the DWP determine the level of financial support, if any, you need. Face-to-face assessments for health-related benefits, including PIP, are now offered by the DWP alongside telephone, video call and paper-based consultations.
Read next:
Striking Bristol care home workers backed by rail union boss
We The Curious won’t open again this year after devastating fire
South Bristol's GPs and schools won't cope with 12,000 new homes claims MP
Barristers walk out of Bristol court in dispute over 'below minimum wage pay
£150m 'Redcatch Quarter' to replace Broadwalk Shopping Centre in Knowle
