Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
CAUK receives more queries about Personal Independence Payment (PIP) than any other benefit, so we have endeavoured to provide as much information about PIP as we can.
PIP helps with the extra cost associated with ill-health or disability; it has gradually been replacing Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for those aged between 16 year and state pension age.
PIP consists of two parts, Daily living component (PIP(DL)) and Mobility component (PIP(M)), these are known as components and each component can be paid at the standard rate or the enhanced rate. You automatically qualify for the enhanced rate of PIP(DL) if you are terminally ill.
We have a guide to claiming PIP available here.
Daily living component
- Standard rate – if you have a limited ability to carry out daily living activities
- Enhanced rate – if you have a severely limited ability to carry out daily living activities
Mobility component
- Standard rate – if you have a limited mobility
- Enhanced rate – if you have a severely limited mobility
Entitlement to one component does not necessarily mean entitlement to the other component. Where entitlement to both components exists, each component may be paid at different rates, e.g. PIP(DL) at the standard rate and PIP(M) at the enhanced rate.
Each of these components entitles the claimant to a regular weekly award.
The amount that you get changes each year, so to check the current rates please go to the relevant section on the government website https://www.gov.uk/pip/what-youll-get
Who can claim Personal Independence Payment
You can claim PIP regardless of whether you’re working or not.
You must also have a health condition or disability where you;
- have had difficulties with daily living or getting around (or both) for 3 months, and
- expect these difficulties to continue for at least 9 months
For more information about eligibility please go https://www.gov.uk/pip/eligibility