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Personal Independence Payment: PIP Rates 2018

The Personal Independence Payment benefit is replacing Disability Living Allowance. PIP is a regular payment to help people with a long-term illness or disability lead full, active, and independent lives.

NEW PIP BENEFIT: This section explains the eligibility criteria and the current rates of Personal Independence Payments.

It is the way that a condition affects you, not the actual condition itself, that determines PIP benefit rates.

Any new claimants aged 16 to 64 can use this help guide to find out how and when to claim PIP.

The Personal Independence Payment helps towards the costs of ill-health if you qualify.

PIP rates 2018 vary between £22.65 and £145.35 per week. Even so, PIP payment dates 2018 will be benefits paid every 4 weeks to those who qualify.

The amount of PIP you get is not assessed by the condition's severity. So, in most cases it is an assessment that works out how much help you need, instead. Regular reassessment of PIP benefit rates ensures you get the best support.

Note: Carers may qualify for the Carer's Allowance where claimant caring requirements are considerable. There is also a version available in Welsh language for 'Taliad Annibyniaeth Personol' (PIP).

What is Happening to Disability Living Allowance?

The Disability Living Allowance was a similar benefit for long-term ill-health. DLA is ending for those aged 16 to 64 or those who were born after the 8th of April 1948.

But, DLA benefit continues for those who are under 16 years old. It is also unchanged for anyone born before (or on) the 8th of April in 1948 with an existing claim.

DWP will write to inform you when it will end or ask you to apply for Personal Independence Payments instead.

You can use the government PIP checker to see if (and when) they will ask you to claim. Contact Citizens Advice or a local support organisation to get further help with Personal Independence Payments.

Eligibility for Personal Independence Payment

Making a claim for PIP applies even if you have huge savings. You can also apply for PIP whether you are in or out of work. To qualify and be eligible to get PIP payments, claimants must:

• Be of working age, at least 16 years old and less than 64, with a long-term illness or health condition.
• Have a disability and find it difficult to get around and cope with 'daily living' (or both). Check out the full definition of a disability under the UK Equality Act 2010.
• Be living in Great Britain when you make the claim (some exceptions apply for members of the Armed Forces). You should also have lived in England, Scotland, or Wales for at least two (2) of the previous three (3) years.
• Be 'habitually resident' in the United Kingdom, Ireland, the Channel Islands, or Isle of Man.
• Not be subject to immigration control (some exceptions apply for sponsored immigrants).

Note: In some cases, you may also qualify for PIP if you are living in, or coming from, Switzerland or another EEA country. But, different rules apply for claiming PIP in Northern Ireland.

PIP Daily Living Component Criteria

As a rule, you must have had the daily living difficulties for at least three months. You should also expect them to continue for at least another nine (9) months (except for a terminally illness). DWP defines terminally ill as not expecting to live for more than six months.

The daily living component of PIP is for people who need help more than half of the time with:

• Preparing their food or eating it.
• Washing, bathing, dressing and undressing, and using the toilet.
• Reading, communicating, and managing medicines or treatment.
• Making decisions about their finances and money.
• Engaging or socialising with other people.

Note: Seniors who are 65 or older, and have these difficulties, may meet the criteria for Attendance Allowance payments instead.

PIP Mobility Criteria

The mobility component of PIP is for those who need help moving around the house or going outside of the home.

Assessment for Personal Independence Payments

An independent healthcare professional assesses your claim. This helps DWP determine what level of aid and care you need. It is usually a face-to-face consultation. They will send you a letter explaining where you should go for the assessment, and why.

The PIP assessment results in a score based on the extent of help needed. A higher score means you need more help. DWP then make a decision about your results and the claim. They consider all aspects of your application and any supporting evidence you supply.

How the PIP Review Works

1. The DWP will send you a letter asking you to fill in a form called 'Award review - how your disability affects you'.
2. There will be some guidance notes attached to help you complete the PIP reassessment form. It also explains what to include and where to send it.
3. Send the review form (with any supporting information) back to the Department for Work and Pensions.
4. After the DWP have reviewed your form they might ask you to attend a face-to-face meeting with an independent health professional. The aim will be to discuss how your particular condition affects your daily life.
5. The next letter you receive will tell you what is going to happen with your PIP claim. Your needs may have changed. If so, your PIP could get increased, reduced, or completely stopped.

PIP REVIEWS 2018
The government will end any unnecessary PIP reviews for people with the most severe health conditions. It means they will no longer need to attend regular reviews for Personal Independence Payment.
The new guidance takes effect from the summer of 2018. But, it only applies to those awarded the highest level of support under PIP.
They will receive an ongoing award of PIP with a 'light touch' review conducted every ten (10) years.
PIP review changes ensure those with severe (or progressive) conditions get an award that reflects the fact that their condition will not improve.

PIP Decision Timescale 2018 and Assessment

As a rule, the PIP decision claim timescale takes at least 3 weeks to process after assessment. It usually speeds up once a claim gets assessed by the decision maker. You can appeal the PIP decision if you disagree with it.

Note: The DWP reassess your rate on a regular basis to ensure you get the proper support. Inform DWP immediately if there is any change in the way your condition affects you.

How Much is PIP Benefit Per Week?

As a rule, Personal Independence Payments transfer to your bank account every four weeks. The PIP payment is a non means tested benefit and tax free. In some cases you may be eligible to claim PIP whether you are working or not.

There are two separate components to Personal Independence Payments. An assessment works out which level of financial help you get. The way your condition affects you determines whether you get only one part or receive both parts of PIP.

PIP Rates 2018 Daily Living Component

1. £57.30: Standard Weekly Rate
2. £85.60: Enhanced Weekly Rate

PIP Rates 2018 Mobility Component

1. £22.65: Standard Weekly Rate
2. £59.75: Enhanced Weekly Rate

Getting PIP and Working

You might qualify for the disability element of Working Tax Credit. The amount varies up to £3,090 a year or up to £4,420 depending on the severity of the disability. The tax credits helpline will confirm whether you can make a claim or not.

Note: Check to see if you or your carer can qualify for extra payments towards transport or housing costs. Extra financial help for disabled claimants can include getting the Carer's Allowance.

Claiming PIP for Terminal Illness

Special PIP rules apply for a terminal illness. You qualify for the enhanced daily living component if you are not expected to survive for more than 6 months. Your care needs also determine whether you get the PIP mobility component on top.

Call the DWP to make a PIP claim. You will need form DS1500 from a healthcare professional or your doctor. Send the completed form directly to DWP. That means there is no necessity to fill in the 'How your disability affects you' form or attend a face-to-face consultation.

How to Claim Personal Independence Payments

Contact the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to claim PIP. Another person can make the phone claim on your behalf but you must be present when they call.

Use this information to make a new claim for Personal Independence Payment by telephone or textphone. The PIP contact number is for those who live in England, Scotland, or Wales.

DWP PIP Claims: Contact Details
Telephone: 0800 917 2222
Textphone: 0800 917 7777
Outside the UK: +44 191 218 7766
Monday to Friday: 8am to 6pm

When you call the DWP you are going to need to give them your:

• Contact details (e.g. telephone number) and your date of birth.
• National Insurance number (written on letters about tax, pensions, and benefits).
• Bank or building society account number and the sort code.
• Doctor's name (or health worker), their contact address and telephone number.
• Dates and addresses of any time you spent abroad, in a hospital, or in a care home.

Claiming Personal Independence Payment by Post

You will need to write a letter to ask for a form to send your information by post. Note that using postal methods can affect the PIP decision timescale and delay the DWP decision on a claim.

Personal Independence Payment New Claims
Post Handling Site B
Wolverhampton
WV99 1AH

PIP Change in Circumstances Mobility

Contact the dedicated PIP enquiry line if you:

• Change your personal details (e.g. a name change, address or your doctor).
• Need a change in the help you get or your condition changes.
• Spend time in hospital or a care home for over four weeks.
• Leave the United Kingdom and go abroad for more than 13 weeks.
• Receive a detention sentence or if you get imprisoned.

Personal Independence Payment PIP Enquiry Line
Telephone: 0800 121 4433
Textphone: 0800 121 4493
Monday to Friday: 8am to 6pm
Information on phone call charges in the UK.

Next Generation Text Relay Service
Dial: 18001 then 0800 121 4433
Monday to Friday: 8am to 6pm
PIP video guides with British Sign Language.

Failing to report changes which result in benefit overpayment may get you a £50 Civil Penalty fine. You may also need to pay back any overpaid benefits.

ALSO IN THIS SECTION

Appealing PIP Decision

You should follow 3 steps to appeal a decision about your Personal Independence Payment.

1. Discuss your situation and the decision with the Department for Work and Pensions.
2. As for 'mandatory reconsideration' (a formal request to have a benefit decision looked at again).
3. You can then appeal the decision if you remain unsatisfied with a mandatory reconsideration.

Personal Independence Payments: How and When to Claim New PIP Rates
Last Updated 2018