The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has increased personal independence payment (PIP) rates for 2024, meaning millions will receive extra cash this year.
Amid the soaring cost of living, monthly PIP payments will increase by 6.7 per cent from the upcoming financial year starting in April 2024.
The DWP said: "We will continue to support vulnerable people with the cost of living from April this year."
So, what is the personal independence payment, how can you apply for it, and does it affect the amount you receive in universal credit?
Here is everything we know, including the difference between daily living PIP and mobility PIP.
What is the personal independence payment?
The personal independence payment is a welfare benefit in the UK which more than 3.4 people claim.
It is designed to help people with the extra costs associated with long-term illness, disability, or mental health conditions.
PIP replaced the Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for people between 16 and state pension age in April 2013.
It is not means-tested, so it does not matter how much income or savings you have. PIP is based on how your condition affects you, not the condition itself.
The amount you receive depends on how your condition affects your ability to carry out certain daily living activities and mobility tasks.
How much is PIP in 2024?
The UK Gov website says the new PIP rates from April this year are as follows:
Daily living component
Standard 2024/25: £72.65
Enhanced 2024/25: £108.55
Mobility component
Standard 2024/25: £28.70
Enhanced 2024/25: £75.75
Who is eligible for PIP?
PIP eligibility is based on how a person's condition affects their ability to carry out certain daily living activities and mobility tasks.
The Government website says you can get PIP if all of the following apply to you:
- you’re 16 or over
- you have a long-term physical or mental health condition or disability
- you have difficulty doing certain everyday tasks or getting around
- you expect the difficulties to last for at least 12 months from when they started
You must also be under state pension age if you’ve not received PIP before.
If you live in Scotland, you need to apply for Adult Disability Payment (ADP) instead.
If you’re over state pension age, you can apply for Attendance Allowance instead. Or if you’ve received PIP before, you can still make a new claim if you were eligible for it in the year before you reached state pension age.
How to claim PIP
Once you’ve checked if you’re eligible, you can start your claim by calling the PIP new claims phone line on 0800 917 2222.
You’ll be asked about your contact details, national insurance number, bank account, and medical history.
You will then be sent a form that will ask you questions about your condition. In some cases, you might need to have an assessment if more information is needed to make a decision.
Alternatively, you can start a claim by post by sending a letter to the personal independence payment new claims office. However, receiving a decision will take longer this way.
For more information, visit the Government website here.
Does receiving PIP affect universal credit payments?
Being eligible for PIP isn’t dependent on your income, savings, working status, or other benefits. So, those who are getting employment and support allowance or other benefits can still get PIP.
The payment is also tax-free.
What’s the difference between daily living PIP and mobility PIP?
How much PIP you receive depends on two things: how difficult you find daily living and how much you struggle with mobility. You will receive an amount of money assigned for each of these factors.
For daily living struggles, the payments range from £68.10 to £101.75. Mobility payments range from £26.90 to £71.
If you’re granted mobility PIP, you might also be eligible for a Blue Badge, vehicle tax discount or exemption, or a Motability Scheme vehicle.
If you receive either the daily living or the mobility PIP, you will become eligible for a disabled person’s railcard. You might also be able to receive a discount on your council tax and local bus travel.
