A detailed overview of Personal Independence Payment

A detailed overview of Personal Independence Payment

Personal Independence Payment (PIP) is a UK government based plan where the government offers financial support to persons having illness and physical or mental disabilities. PIP is very helpful for people aged 16 and more and those who have not reached State Pension age. The amount received from PIP ranges from £23.60 to £151.40 per week. To determine the amount for PIP, the government appoints a health professional to assess the level and rate of help a person should get from the PIP scheme. The older people get more benefit from PIP as they have more chances of developing disability diseases.

Eligibility –

People aged between 16 to 64 with ill health conditions or disabilities are eligible to claim PIP benefits. Someone who has had difficulties with daily living for 3 months and expects the continuation of these diseases for at least 9 months, is considered liable to get the benefits of PIP. Someone who lives in countries like England, Wales, or Scotland, becomes eligible for PIP and he or she must stay in any of these countries while applying for PIP. People who get PIP earlier and still entitled to it, possess the eligibility to claim PIP. A refugee also gets the benefits of PIP under this scheme.

What you’ll get –

PIP gives a person extra cost for treatment without the necessity of paying any tax. It provides daily living cost, the weekly rate of which may be either £59.70 or £89.15, and mobility cost, the rate of which may be £23.60 or £62.25 per week. The daily living cost increases for the person expecting to live less than 6 months and the mobility cost depends on a person’s need. An eligible person gets PIP every 4 weeks and the decision letter mentions the date of payment.

Change of circumstances –

In order to change the personal details or any kind of assistance, one must contact on the PIP number given on the DWP website. Personal details include name, address, e-mail id and others. Persons going to a hospital or abroad or taken in detention need to contact the PIP line and inform about the condition. Any wrong information can put a penalty on a claimant and can also drag the person to court. In order to report the change of circumstances someone can use a phone or video relay services. People getting PIP benefits need to call themselves or else need to be with the person calling on behalf of them.

Claiming PIP if you’re terminally ill –

People who are terminally ill get PIP more easily and quickly. A person having a medical certificate saying he or she has a lifespan, not more than 6 months, gets PIP more quickly compare to other claimants. A person can claim a short period award that lasts for 2 months or a long period reward that may last up to 5-10 years. This type of reward depends on the type of disability and the intensity of the impact of a condition on a person.