Older people making new claims for PIP could be given…

Older people making new claims for PIP could be given 10-year payment award

The latest statistics from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) show that by the end of January 2023, there were more than 3.25 million people across Great Britain claiming Personal Independence Payment (PIP), including 319,336 living in Scotland. The figures also indicate nearly half a million people of State Pension age are also in receipt of PIP.

Across Great Britain, some 486,940 older people are getting support through the disability payment, including 52,676 in Scotland. However, many people nearing State Pension age may not be aware that a change to PIP guidance in 2019 states that “claimants whose review would have taken place when they were of State Pension age means that they are now generally awarded ongoing awards”.

Award types and review periods are set on an individual basis, based on the claimant’s needs and the likelihood of those needs changing. It takes into account such matters as planned treatment/therapy or learning/adapting to manage a condition.

PIP awards

Guidance from DWP states:

For fixed length awards, the review period usually ranges from a minimum of nine months to a maximum 10 years
Review periods of less than nine months are set only in exceptional circumstances
An award of two years or less is considered short-term

PIP now provides 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 £691.00 every payment period.

The New State Pension is worth up to £203.85 each week and the Old Basic State Pension up to £156.20. The annual benefits uprating in April now means that older people claiming the Full New State Pension and both of the enhanced components for PIP (or Adult Disability Payment in Scotland) will receive up to £1,506.40 every four weeks - an increase of £138.20 on 2022/23 rates.

PIP and State Pension age

When someone reaches State Pension age, they can no longer make a new claim for PIP, Disability Living Allowance (DLA) or Adult Disability Payment (ADP) - the new disability benefit replacing PIP for people in Scotland.

However, if someone is already receiving PIP, DLA, or ADP when they reach State Pension age, they will continue to receive the benefit until the award period ends where it will be reviewed in the normal process.

People who reach State Pension age who are no longer claiming any of the working age disability benefits may also be able to reclaim it - as long as they are claiming for the same health conditions that they initially received the award for and the last claim ended less than 12 months before reaching State Pension age.

For people over State Pension age with a health condition, long-term illness or disability they may be eligible for Attendance Allowance - this is worth either £61.85 or £92.40 every week from DWP. Find out more about claiming Attendance Allowance here.

People of State Pension age claiming PIP - January 2023

Number of people of State Pension age claiming PIP:

Scotland: 52,676
England: 393,654
Wales: 40,616
Total: 486,940

Potential income for older people claiming PIP in 2023/24

The following estimations are based on the Full New State Pension and the maximum PIP award new payment rates that came into effect on April 10.

New State Pension: £203.85 per week x 52 = £10,600.20 per year
PIP or ADP: £172.75 er week x 52 = £8,983 per year

Total combined income payments from April

Per week: £376.60
Per payment period (four weeks): £1,506.40
Per year: £19,583.20

New State Pension payment rates 2023/24

Weekly rate: £203.85
Four-weekly rate: £815.40

Basic State Pension payment rates 2023/24

Weekly rate: £156.20
Four-weekly rate: £624.80

PIP / Adult Disability payment rates 2023/24

Daily Living Component

Enhanced: £101.75
Standard: £68.10

Mobility Component

Enhanced: £71.00
Standard: £26.90

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