New figures from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) show that at the end of April 2023, there were 3.3 million people across Great Britain claiming Personal Independence Payment (PIP), including almost 300,000 living in Scotland. The Scottish figure will continue to decrease over the coming months as more existing claimants are transferred to Adult Disability Payment (ADP).
The new devolved disability benefit replaced new claims for PIP in Scotland last summer and while both benefits are similar, they are not the same, so guidance for PIP should be used only as that - for full details on ADP visit the mygov.scot here. A phased migration from DWP to the Social Security Scotland welfare system is expected to be completed by the end of 2025.
A successful claim for PIP or ADP 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 £691.00 every payment period. More than 540 health conditions are being supported by disability benefits, but the list is not definitive and contains an 'unknown' category.
Many people may be put off claiming PIP (or ADP) as they do not think their condition will qualify, but it’s essential to understand that it is how the condition affects you in your day-to-day life that determines the level of financial support you are awarded - not the condition itself.
Guidance on GOV.UK for PIP states: "As the assessment principles consider the impact of a claimant’s condition on their ability to live independently and not the condition itself, claimants with the same condition may get different outcomes. The outcome is based on an independent assessment and all available evidence."
Most people are aware of the eligibility criteria for PIP, we have a dedicated section on the benefit here which covers everything from points to payments, common mistakes made on the application and how to prepare for an assessment, whether it’s in-person or over the phone or video call.
However, one of the most important elements to any PIP claim is the supporting documentation or evidence that you provide along with your completed ‘How Your Disability Affects You’ booklet, also known as the ‘PIP2’ form. It's useful to include evidence from health professionals as it can give the DWP a clearer picture of how your condition affects you and give you a better chance of being properly assessed by someone who knows nothing about you or your situation.
The guidance below may also be of use to anyone in Scotland making a new claim for ADP.
Keep a diary or daily journal
If your condition fluctuates, where you may have good and bad days, it can be helpful to keep a daily diary. This doesn’t have to be a physical diary, it can be paper with a date heading to keep track of how your condition affects you at different times.
You could also do this on a computer or in a notes app on your mobile phone, just remember to clearly mark each entry with a day and date.
What to include in your daily diary
- How your illness, disability, physical or mental health condition impacts you on everyday tasks
- The help you need - which you may forget
- How you have adapted to cope with your condition
Once you have completed your diary, you could turn this into a PIP personal statement, which may be easier to read than a journal.
This should be a maximum of two pages and explain:
- The history of your condition
- How your ability to cope differs from day-to-day
- Your average week
You could also ask a family member, friend or carer to write a supporting statement.
Letters from your carer, friends or family can help support your PIP claim as they are likely to see you frequently, they can comment on how they help you - washing, bathing, cooking, dressing etc. - and why you would have difficulty doing specific tasks yourself.
Medical evidence for PIP
Medical evidence is crucial when applying for PIP and usually takes the form of a letter or report from your GP, consultant or other healthcare professional.
Medical professionals can explain what your condition is, your treatment and how the condition affects your everyday life.
Not all healthcare professionals are able or willing to write supporting letters, and they are not obliged to do so, but it is worth asking them and stressing how it could help your claim - just be aware they can charge a fee for writing this letter or report.
Who to ask for medical evidence to support your PIP claim
This is not a definite list, but an example of the health professionals you could ask for support.
These include:
- GP
- Social worker
- Care or support worker
- Counsellor
- Hospital consultant
- Nurse
- Psychiatrist
- Psychologist
- Community psychiatric nurse (CPN)
- Occupational therapist
What to include when requesting medical evidence for PIP
When requesting medical evidence for PIP, explain that you require information specifically relevant to the criteria used by the DWP to assess you.
It is essential that any supporting evidence provided has information about the difficulties your condition causes you, and how you meet the criteria for PIP.
It is not helpful for evidence to say what diagnosis, symptoms or treatment you have.
The healthcare professional needs to understand that you will be assessed on how you are most of the time, and for you to be considered able to do an activity you need to be able to carry it out:
- Safely
- to an acceptable standard
- repeatedly
- in a reasonable timescale
The DWP assess how your illness, disability or mental health condition requires you to have help to do the following 12 activities:
- Preparing food and cooking
- Eating or drinking
- Managing therapy or monitoring a health condition
- Taking medication
- Washing and bathing
- Managing toilet needs or incontinence
- Dressing and undressing
- Communicating verbally
- Reading and understanding signs, symbols and words
- Socialising with other people
- Deciding about your money and budget
- Plan and follow journeys
- Move around
Visiting your healthcare professional face-to-face
You should take a copy of the PIP descriptors with you and highlight the areas you would like them to comment on.
This can help your healthcare professional when writing a letter of medical evidence and will help them focus on the activities that are most relevant to you.
Writing a letter to request medical evidence for PIP
You can also write a letter to your healthcare professional requesting medical evidence to support your PIP application.
Include the topics and areas you would like them to comment on.
It is essential when you request medical evidence, whether in person or in writing, that you ask neutral, non-leading questions.
For more information about PIP, visit the GOV.UK website here.
What are the PIP and ADP payment rates?
You will need an assessment to work out the level of financial help you will receive and your rate will be regularly reviewed to make sure you are getting the right support.
PIP is made up of two components:
Daily living
Mobility
Whether you get one or both of these and how much depends on how severely your condition affects you.
You will be paid the following amounts per week depending on your circumstances:
Daily living
Standard rate: £68.10
Enhanced rate: £101.75
Mobility
Standard rate: £26.90
Enhanced rate: £71.00
How you are assessed
You will be assessed by an independent healthcare professional to help the DWP determine the level of financial support, if any, you need, for PIP.
Face-to-face consultations for health-related benefits are offered alongside video calls, telephone and paper-based assessments - it's important to be aware that there is no choice here, it's up to the health professional and DWP.
Adult Disability Payment assessments will not involve face-to-face assessments, unless this is preferred by the claimant - find out more about the changes here.
You can find out more about DWP PIP assessments here.
How do you make a claim for PIP?
You can make a new claim by contacting the DWP, you will find all the information you need to apply on the GOV.UK website here.
Before you call, you will need:
your contact details
your date of birth
your National Insurance number - this is on letters about tax, pensions and benefits
your bank or building society account number and sort code
your doctor or health worker’s name, address and telephone number
dates and addresses for any time you’ve spent abroad, in a care home or hospital
Even if you don't qualify for financial support, you could be eligible for a National Entitlement Travel Card, which offers free or reduced travel across Scotland on most public transport links. For more information about PIP, visit GOV.UK here.
How to apply for Adult Disability Payment
People can apply ADP, over the phone, by post or in-person. To find out more or apply, visit the dedicated pages on mygov.scot here or call Social Security Scotland on 0800 182 2222.
To keep up to date with the latest PIP and ADP news, join our Money Saving Scotland Facebook page here, follow us on Twitter @Record_Money, or subscribe to our newsletter which goes out Monday to Friday - sign up here.
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