In April the DWP is changing the payment rates for a string of benefits. Claimants of Personal Independence Payment (PIP) and Disability Living Allowance (DLA) will be affected by the changes.
Personal Independence Payment (PIP) is a benefit for people aged over 16 and under State Pension age who need extra help to cover the costs of daily living or getting around as a result of a physical or learning disability, long-term illness or mental health condition. At the moment, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) could give you between £23.70 and £152.15 per week to help with these additional costs which is usually paid into your bank account every four weeks, the Daily Record reports.
However, the UK Government confirmed that an increase of 3.1% will be applied to all benefits, including PIP and Disability Living Allowance (DLA) from April. This means someone receiving the highest rates for both the Daily Living and Mobility components of PIP or DLA will see their regular payment rise from £608.60 to £627.60 - an increase of £19.
The payment rate changes will come into effect on April 11, 2022. Here are all the PIP and DLA payment rate changes for 2022 to 2023 and the increased amount.
Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
Daily Living Component
- Enhanced rate: £92.40 (from £89.60)
- Standard rate: £61.85 (from £60.00)
Mobility Component
- Enhanced rate: £64.50 (from £62.55)
- Standard rate: £24.45 (from £23.70)
Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
Care Component
- Highest: £92.40 (from £89.60)
- Middle: £61.85 (from £60.00)
- Lowest: £24.45 (from £23.70)
Mobility component
- Higher: £64.50 (from £62.55)
- Lower: £24.45 (from £23.70)
PIP and DLA are paid every four weeks which means the new rates will see claimants receive between £97.80 and £627.60 each pay period. The increase is equivalent to between £1,271.40 and £8,158.80 in extra financial support for PIP and DLA claimants during the 2022/23 financial year. - based on the weekly increase.
Other benefits and discounts PIP claimants can access
Here is a brief overview of the additional benefits, reductions and discounts PIP claimants may also be able to claim. Full details are available on GOV.UK here.
Benefit top-ups
You may get a top-up, called a premium, on the following benefits if you receive PIP:
Housing Benefit
Jobseeker’s Allowance
Income Support
Working Tax Credit
Employment and Support Allowance - only if you get the PIP daily living component
Pension Credit - only if you get the PIP daily living component
How to apply
Contact the office in charge of your benefits, tell them you’re getting PIP and ask them what other help this entitles you to. You may need to send them a copy of your PIP award letter - they should also be able to tell you how much extra you will get.
Getting a disability premium will not reduce your PIP or any of your other benefits, so it is always best to ask the DWP what extras you are entitled to and apply for them.
Council Tax discounts
If you receive either the daily living or mobility component of PIP, you may get money off your Council Tax bill. It’s hard to say exactly how much of a discount you’ll get because it depends on things like the component and rate of PIP you’re getting - your local council will be able to tell you.
How to apply
To get your Council Tax discount, contact your local council and tell them you’re getting PIP. You may need to send them a copy of your PIP award letter.
Find your local council here.
If you claim PIP for a child
If your child is getting PIP, is aged between 16 and 20 and is still in education or training, your Housing Benefit may increase. You may also get money off your Council Tax bill.
Your local council will be able to tell you if you do. Find your local council here.
How to apply
To check if you can get this help, contact the office in charge of your Housing Benefit and your local council and tell them your child is getting PIP. They will also be able to tell you how much the increase or discount will be.
Disabled Person’s Railcard (£20 for one-year membership)
This offers up to a third off most rail fares across the UK. Find out more here.
Vehicle Tax Exemption
If you get the standard PIP mobility rate, you are also eligible for a vehicle tax discount of 50% - the vehicle must be registered in your name or that of your designated driver.
If you get the enhanced PIP mobility rate, you are eligible for a vehicle tax discount of 100%.
Find out more on the gov.uk website here.
Motability Scheme
You may also be able to use the Motability Scheme if you get the enhanced PIP mobility rate.
The Motability Scheme enables people to get mobile by exchanging their mobility allowance to lease a new car, Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle, scooter or powered wheelchair.
Find out more here.
Check you are claiming all the benefits you’re entitled to
It is always a good idea to check you’re claiming all the benefits you’re entitled to. These calculators are free to use, anonymous, and have replaced the Benefits Adviser service.
Online benefits calculators
Turn2us - for information on PIP, income-related benefits, tax credits, Council Tax Reduction, Carer’s Allowance, Universal Credit and how your benefits will be affected if you start work or change your working hours.
Policy in Practice - for information on PIP, income-related benefits, tax credits, contribution-based benefits, Council Tax Reduction, Carer’s Allowance, Universal Credit, how these are calculated and how your benefits will be affected if you start work or change your working hours.
entitledto - for information on PIP, income-related benefits, tax credits, contribution-based benefits, Council Tax Reduction, Carer’s Allowance, Universal Credit and how your benefits will be affected if you start work.
Travel support
When you get your PIP award letter, you can apply for several methods of travel assistance.
National Entitlement Card (NEC)
The NEC makes it convenient for people to access various public services and facilities with only one card. It can be used for free travel on most bus routes across Scotland and discounted trips by rail, underground and ferry.
It is also used by many local councils as library and leisure membership cards.
Find out more about the NEC here.
Disabled Person’s Railcard (£20 for one-year membership)
This offers up to a third off most rail fares across the UK. Find out more here.
Blue Badge (£20 for three-years in Scotland)
A Blue Badge holder travelling either as a driver or passenger can park for free in disabled parking bays and may be exempt from other parking restrictions.
Find out more about eligibility here and on the mygov.scot website here.
Vehicle Tax Exemption
If you get the standard PIP mobility rate, you are also eligible for a vehicle tax discount of 50% - the vehicle must be registered in your name or that of your designated driver.
If you get the enhanced PIP mobility rate, you are eligible for a vehicle tax discount of 100%.
Find out more on the gov.uk website here.
Motability Scheme
You may also be able to use the Motability Scheme if you get the enhanced PIP mobility rate.
The Motability Scheme enables people to get mobile by exchanging their mobility allowance to lease a new car, Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle, scooter or powered wheelchair.
Find out more here.
Check you are claiming all the benefits you’re entitled to
It is always a good idea to check you’re claiming all the benefits you’re entitled to.
These calculators are free to use, anonymous, and have replaced the Benefits Adviser service.
Online benefits calculators
Turn2us - for information on PIP, income-related benefits, tax credits, Council Tax Reduction, Carer’s Allowance, Universal Credit and how your benefits will be affected if you start work or change your working hours.
Policy in Practice - for information on PIP, income-related benefits, tax credits, contribution-based benefits, Council Tax Reduction, Carer’s Allowance, Universal Credit, how these are calculated and how your benefits will be affected if you start work or change your working hours.
entitledto - for information on PIP, income-related benefits, tax credits, contribution-based benefits, Council Tax Reduction, Carer’s Allowance, Universal Credit and how your benefits will be affected if you start work.
