Millions of people across the UK claim Personal Independence Payment (PIP) to help with extra living costs.
PIP is awarded to people who have a long-term physical or mental health condition or disability and difficulty doing certain everyday tasks or getting around because of the condition.
Following the annual benefits uprating in April, a successful claim for PIP is worth between £26.90 and £172.75 each week in additional financial support and as the benefit is paid every four weeks, this amounts to between £107.60 and £691 every payment period.
READ MORE: Martin Lewis' MSE warning to British Gas, E.On, So and Ovo customers
PIP can be awarded for many conditions, but five main conditions account for more than 2.8m of the 3.3m people currently receiving the benefit. As reported by the Daily Record, these are:
Psychiatric disorder - 1,221,883 claimants
- This includes mixed anxiety, stress, depressive and mood disorders, OCD and cognitive disorders.
Musculoskeletal disease (general) - 656,559 claimants
- This includes muscle or joint pain and arthritic conditions.
Neurological disease - 416,439 claimants
- This includes muscular dystrophy, epilepsy, headache, multiple sclerosis, neuropathy and other movement disorders.
Musculoskeletal disease (regional) - 389,027 claimants
- This includes neck, back, shoulders, elbow, wrists, hands, hip, knee and ankle pain.
Respiratory disease - 137,472 claimants
- This includes asthma, diseases of the upper respiratory tract, pulmonary fibrosis and cystic fibrosis.
Some 35% of all claims with entitlement to PIP at the end of April 2023 are in receipt of the highest level of award. An award for PIP or ADP can also lead to additional support for housing costs, council tax, other benefits and reduced travel on public transport.
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.
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
Receive newsletters with the latest news, sport and what's on updates from the Liverpool ECHO by signing up here
