MILLIONS suffering from long-term health conditions or disabilities can get cash help through Personal Independence Payment (PIP).
The benefit is worth up to £184.30 a week if you are entitled to both parts so it's well worth seeing if you are eligible.
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To qualify for PIP you must have ahealthcondition or disability where you either have had difficulties with daily living or getting around and you expect these difficulties to continue for at least nine months (unless you're terminally ill with less than 12 months to live).
But there are a number of changes you have to report to the Department for Work and Pensions if you claim PIP.
If you do not, you may have to repay the cash you've been paid and also fork out a £50 penalty.
You may even be taken to court if you've been found to purposefully have given the wrong information.
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These are the changes you must report to the DWP:
- Your personal details change, for example, your name, address or doctor
- The help you need or your condition changes
- Your condition has worsened and you’re not expected to live more than 12 months
- You go into hospital or a care home
- You go abroad
- You're imprisoned or held in detention
- Your immigration status has changed, if you’re not a British citizen
While you need to report the above changes to the DWP, there are five you don't need to inform the Government department about.
This is the full list:
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- you get a job, return to work or leave work
- there’s a change in your earnings or other income
- someone joins or leaves your household
- are made redundant
- take retirement
If you do need to report a change in circ*mstances, you should call the PIP enquiry line on 0800 121 4433.
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We've explained everything you need to know about PIP below.
What is PIP and who is eligible?
PIP is a Government benefit to help those suffering from a long-term illness, disability or mental health condition.
The maximum amount you can receive from the benefit is £184.30 a week, depending on your circ*mstances.
PIP is for those over 16 and under thestate pensionage, currently 66.
You also must have lived inEnglandorWalesfor at least two out of the last three years, and be in one of these countries when you apply.
Residents inNorthern Irelandhave to go through a different process, and there are additional rules if you live abroad or you’re not a British citizen.
InScotlandyou will need to apply for Adult Disability Payment (ADP) instead.
Crucially, you must also have ahealthcondition ordisabilitywhere you either have had difficulties with daily living or getting around - or both- for three months, and you expect these difficulties to continue for at least nine months (unless you're terminally ill with less than 12 months to live).
Difficulties with daily living can include:
- Preparing or eatingfood
- Washing, bathing and using the toilet
- Dressing and undressing
- Reading and communicating
- Managing your medicines or treatments
- Making decisions aboutmoney
- Engaging with other people
PIP is a benefit you can claim at the same time as others, like Universal Credit.
However, you can't claim PIP alongside the armed forces independence payment.
If you receive constant attendance allowance you will receive less of the daily living part of PIP.
If you get warpensioners' mobility supplement you will not get the mobility part of PIP.
How do I apply for PIP?
You can make a new Personal Independence Payment (PIP) claim by calling theDepartment for Work and Pensions (DWP)on 0800 917 2222.
This is the Government department tasked with paying out benefits to millions every year.
There are also other ways to claim if you find it difficult to use a telephone. See Gov.UKfor more information.
When you claim, you'll need:
- Your contact details
- Date of birth
- National Insurancenumber
- Bankor 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
Someone else can call on your behalf, but you’ll need to be with them when they call.
You'll then be sent a form to fill in, after which you'll be invited for an assessment or your health or social care worker will be asked for information.
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After this, you'll be sent a letter telling you if your claim has been successful.
You can read Citizens Advice’shelp on preparing for an assessment.
Are you missing out on benefits?
YOU can use a benefits calculator to help check that you are not missing out on money you are entitled to
Charity Turn2Us' benefits calculator works out what you could get.
Entitledto's free calculator determines whether you qualify for various benefits, tax credit and Universal Credit.
MoneySavingExpert.com and charity StepChange both have benefits tools powered by Entitledto's data.
You can use Policy in Practice's calculator to determine which benefits you could receive and how much cash you'll have left over each month after paying for housing costs.
Your exact entitlement will only be clear when you make a claim, but calculators can indicate what you might be eligible for.
Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing money-sm@news.co.uk.
Plus, you can join our Sun Money Chats and Tips Facebook group to share your tips and stories
