By Fiona Callingham Linda Howard
A staggering number of Brits could be unknowingly bypassing a potential 拢1,149 windfall from the Government. It appears that many individuals living with a disability or health condition might not be aware they’re entitled to additional financial support from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).
The latest figures from the DWP show that as of the end of January, a whopping 7.5 million people across Scotland, England, and Wales were receiving monetary aid via Universal Credit. This income-related benefit is designed to help those on low incomes, regardless of their employment status, manage everyday living costs.
However, as highlighted by the Daily Record, many who are claiming Universal Credit or income-related Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA) and are living with a disability, long-term illness, or physical or mental health condition may not realise they could qualify for extra financial help through Personal Independence Payment (PIP) or Adult Disability Payment (ADP). The latter has taken over all new PIP claims in Scotland and can provide assistance with daily living or mobility expenses.
Both PIP and ADP are tax-free, non-means tested payments that don’t affect the benefit cap. This means that a single claimant over 25 on Universal Credit or JSA making a new claim for either benefit could potentially pocket up to 拢749.80 every four weeks, separate from their other benefits.
When coupled with a monthly Universal Credit payment of 拢400.14 (single, over-25 rate), this could amount to as much as 拢1,149.94 each month. It’s vital to remember that this figure is based on someone receiving the higher rate of both the daily living and mobility components of either PIP or ADP, reports the Mirror.
It’s also key to recognise that having a health condition does not automatically entitle someone to PIP or ADP. Rather, it’s how the condition impacts a person’s daily living and/or mobility needs that counts.
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 and mobility. Whether you get one or both of these and how much depends on how severely your condition affects you. Payments are issued every four weeks.
You will be paid the following amounts per week depending on your circumstances.
Daily living
Standard rate: 拢73.90 Enhanced rate: 拢110.40
Standard rate: 拢29.20 Enhanced rate: 拢77.05
Even though new claims for PIP have been replaced in Scotland by ADP, it shares most of the same eligibility criteria.
PIP health conditions
These are the main disability categories, the umbrella term by which more than 530 other conditions fall under. This list is only an overview of conditions, disorders and diseases and how the DWP lists the main disabilities being claimed for.
Multisystem and extremes of age Malignant disease Haematological Disease Cardiovascular disease Psychiatric disorders Diseases of the liver, gallbladder, biliary tract Infectious disease Autoimmune disease (connective tissue disorders) Diseases of the immune system Genitourinary disease Musculoskeletal disease (general) Musculoskeletal disease (regional) Metabolic disease Visual disease Neurological disease Respiratory disease Skin disease Gastrointestinal disease Hearing disorders Endocrine disease
Who might be eligible for PIP or ADP
To be eligible for PIP or ADP, you must have a health condition or disability where you:
Have had difficulties with daily living or getting around (or both) for three months Expect these difficulties to continue for at least nine months You usually need to have lived in the UK for at least two of the last three years and be in the country when you apply
In addition to what we have outlined above, if you get or need help with any of the following because of your condition, you should consider applying for PIP or ADP:
Preparing, cooking or eating food Managing your medication Washing, bathing or using the toilet Dressing and undressing Engaging and communicating with other people Reading and understanding written information Making decisions about money Planning a journey or following a route Moving around
There are different rules if you are terminally ill. DWP or Social Security Scotland will assess how difficult you find daily living and mobility tasks. For each task they will look at:
Whether you can do it safely How long it takes you How often your condition affects this activity Whether you need help to do it, from a person or using extra equipment
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. To find out more about ADP or apply, visit the dedicated pages on mygov.scot here.