Reported figures show around three million people across the UK are currently entitled to extra cash as a result of a medical condition. Health issues ranging from anxiety to vision diseases are listed, with reports indicating hundreds of thousands more people are missing out on the additional financial help, which is available to eligible claimants even if they are still able to work.
Worth up to £172 a week from April 2023, Personal Independence Payment (PIP) is a benefit awarded by the Department for Work and Pension (DWP) to those with long-term mental or physical health problems or disabilities. A full list of conditions reported by Birmingham Live is published below and shows the most common health issues being awarded the tax-free sum.
The benefit is awarded to people over 16 if they have difficulty doing certain everyday tasks or getting around. You can still apply for the amount if you're working or have savings as it is not means-tested. However, how much you get depends on how your condition affects you.
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Amounts will rise by 10.1 percent from April 2023 in line with the uprating of state benefits. Standard and enhanced rates apply for daily and mobility elements of the benefit. The lowest amount is £24.45 a week for standard mobility (going up to £26.90 from April) and the highest is £156.90 a week for both enhanced rates combined, which will rise to £172.75 a week from next month. The DWP says 35 percent of people on PIP get the highest level of payment. As PIP is paid into people's accounts every four weeks, that's a rise from £627.60 to £691 a month for those on the highest rates. Over a year, based on 52 weeks, that equates to £8,158 a year, rising to £8,931 after April 2023.
In addition, those on PIP will automatically qualify for the new Universal Credit 'health element' announced in the Chancellor's Budget. This top-up will replace Universal Credit's existing Limited Capability for Work and Work-Related Activity (LCWRA) amount, which currently pays £354.28 on top of the standard allowance (rising to £390.06 from April 2023). These reforms would come in by 2026 at the earliest.
50 medical conditions getting PIP
Anxiety and depressive disorders (mixed) 26,026
Learning disability 16,743
Primary generalised Osteoarthritis 16,159
Back pain 14,817
Autism 12,917
Inflammatory arthritis 12,348
Fibromyalgia 10,940
Schizophrenia 8,563
Rheumatoid arthritis 7,933
Cerebrovascular accident (stroke) 7,175
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) chronic bronchitis/emphysema 6,972
Multiple sclerosis 5,645
Depressive disorder 5,494
Bipolar affective disorder (Hypomania / Mania) 4,833
Personality disorder 4,394
Seizures 3,871
ADHD / ADD 3,842
Neurological disorders 3,737
Back pain - Non specific (mechanical) 3,537
Asperger syndrome 3,194
Cerebral palsy 2,817
Vision diseases 2,651
Post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) 2,595
Osteoarthritis of Knee 2,533
Asthma 2,529
Psychotic disorders 2,358
Down's syndrome 2,267
Regional/localised Musculoskeletal disease 2,140
Generalised musculoskeletal disease 1,832
Generalised seizures (with status epilepticus in last 12 months) 1,796
Psoriatic arthritis 1,664
Anxiety disorders 1,648
Knee disorders 1,630
Breast cancer 1,599
Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) 1,598
Osteoarthritis of other single joint 1,531
Head injury - Cognitive and sensorimotor impairment 1,528
Lumbar disc lesion 1,456
Specific learning disorder 1,436
Genetic disorders dysplasias and malformations 1,433
Cardiovascular disease 1,416
Parkinson's disease 1,410
Spine Injuries/Fracture/Dislocation of 1,359
Dementia 1,297
Hip disorders 1,294
Lower limb Injuries/Fracture/Dislocation of 1,282
Amputation of Lower limb(s) 1,267
Chronic Pain syndromes 1,266
Ankle and foot disorders 1,247
Multiple Injuries/Fracture/Dislocation 1,208
Claiming PIP
To start a claim, call the PIP new claims line on 0800 917 2222 (Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm). You will need to provide the following information:
- Contact details (such as your telephone number)
- Date of birth, National Insurance number
- Bank or building society account number and sort code
- Doctor or health worker's details
- Dates and addresses for any time spent in a care home or hospital
- Dates and locations for any time you spent abroad for more than four weeks at a time
A form is sent out for you to fill in and return within a month and you may be invited to an assessment. More information on claiming PIP can be found at the Gov.UK website.
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