Thousands of PIP claimants may soon find it easier to renew their benefit thanks to a huge shake-up coming next month.
Personal Independence Payment - or PIP for short - is designed to help working age adults living with an illness, disability or mental health condition.
Awards typically last between nine months and ten years, then you normally need to renew your claim.
Those with shorter-term PIP awards typically have to fill out a 16-page form - but thousands of those with ten-year awards will soon only have to fill out a shorter six page form.
This is being introduced by the DWP as part of a new "light-touch" PIP review from August.
In most cases, an assessment with a healthcare professional shouldn’t be needed either.
As well as people with ten-year claims, most people above state pension age and claiming review will be moved to "light touch" review forms as well.
If "light touch" reviews apply to you, your PIP will only be reviewed every ten years and the form will be simpler.
All other claimants will get a normal award review.
How much is PIP?
PIP is made up of two components - a daily living rate and a mobility rate - and you can be entitled to both or just one of these.
The decision to award you PIP is based on how your condition affects your life, rather than the illness itself.
If you’re successful in your PIP claim, you could get between £26.90 and £172.75 per week.
You will be paid the following amounts per week depending on your circumstances:
Daily living
Lower rate: £68.10
Higher rate: £101.75
Mobility
Lower rate: £26.90
Higher rate: £71
You might get the daily living part of PIP if you need help with:
Eating, drinking or preparing food
Washing, bathing and using the toilet
Dressing and undressing
Reading and communicating
Managing your medicines or treatments
Making decisions about money
Socialising and being around other people
You might get the mobility part of PIP if you need help with:
Working out a route and following it
Physically moving around
Leaving your home
There are different rules if you are terminally ill - see the Gov.uk website for more information.
PIP is usually paid directly to your bank account every four weeks unless you are terminally ill, in which case it can be paid weekly.
PIP isn’t means-tested so it doesn’t matter how much you’re earning, or how much you have in savings.
