A review of the full PIP assessment process for the daily living and mobility components will be completed by this Autumn (Image: Universal Images Group via Getty Images)
A minister has confirmed the completion date for a review into mobility benefit. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) recently announced that eligibility criteria for the mobility component of Personal Independence Payment (PIP) will undergo review alongside the daily living element, forming part of the UK Government’s welfare reform programme.
Minister for Social Security and Disability Sir Stephen Timms will work collaboratively with disabled groups and charities to complete the review. During this week’s State Pension and benefits uprating debate in Parliament, Sir Stephen clarified the review’s timeline after Conservative MP Rebecca Smith suggested it wouldn’t be available until next year, reports the Daily Record.
Sir Stephen said: “I am co-chairing a review of PIP that will conclude by the Autumn of this year; she (Rebecca Smith) said that she did not think that the review would happen until 2027, but it will conclude by the Autumn of this year.”
READ MORE: HMRC warning as millions in UK may face ‘penalties’
READ MORE: DVLA reminder as drivers over 69 could be fined £1,000
Those receiving the enhanced rate of the PIP mobility component are able to exchange some or all of their payment to lease a new car, wheelchair-accessible vehicle, scooter or powered wheelchair via the Motability Scheme. Recent statistics from Motability Operations – the organisation operating the transformative Motability Scheme – reveal there are now 815,000 customers throughout the UK.
Currently, more than 3.2 million Blue Badge permit holders exist across the UK. Data from the DWP reveals that just over 3 million PIP claimants receive either the standard or higher rate of the mobility component.
This comprises 1,961,029 claimants receiving the higher payment award, worth £77.05 per week, and 1,111,219 on the standard award rate of £29.20 per week. Currently, nearly 3.9 million people are claiming PIP across England and Wales.
Rachel Maskell, a former Labour MP who is now independent, recently posed a written question to the DWP about what steps it is taking with the Chancellor of the Exchequer to co-produce policy changes to the mobility allowances of PIP.
In a written response, Minister for Social Security and Disability Sir Stephen Timms stated: “The PIP mobility element is in scope of the Timms Review, which aims to ensure PIP is fair and fit for the future.
“We will co-produce the Review with disabled people, and their organisations to ensure lived experience is at the heart of its work. We will provide an update shortly. We will not make changes to PIP eligibility, including for the mobility element, until the Review has concluded.”
Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced plans to reform the Motability Scheme during the Autumn Budget. These reforms include ending the VAT relief on top-up payments, a one-off voluntary payment required to lease more expensive vehicles on the Scheme, and the application of Insurance Premium Tax on leases.
Tax changes will not significantly affect vehicles that have been extensively modified for wheelchair users, or existing leases. Motability will continue to supply vehicles at no extra cost to the value of eligible disability benefits.
PIP in a nutshell
PIP can help people over the age of 16 and under State Pension age with the extra financial costs for more than 500 health issues or disabling conditions, which may be physical, sensory, mental, intellectual or cognitive, or any combination of these.
The latest figures from the DWP show more than 3.9m people across Great Britain were receiving PIP at the end of October. A successful claim for PIP is now worth between £29.20 and £187.45 each week to help with the additional costs of daily living and mobility needs.
However, an award for PIP may enable claimants to access means-tested benefits even if they have previously been told they are not eligible.
This is because entitlement to PIP, can act as a gateway or passport to other benefits, such as Carer’s Allowance and schemes sponsored by other departments, such as the Blue Badge.
For many benefits and schemes there are additional qualifying conditions, but for some, including the Blue Badge, there are alternative ways of accessing the benefit that do not rely on a particular rate or component of PIP.
Benefits which could be accessed with a PIP award
While you may not qualify for any or all of these benefits, it’s worthwhile checking to make sure you are not missing out on additional support.
- Access to Work
- Blue Badge or the Accessible Vehicles and Equipment Scheme
- Carer’s Allowance / Carer Support Payment
- Carer’s Credit
- Christmas Bonus
- Council Tax Reduction
- Employment and Support Allowance – only if you get the PIP daily living component
- Housing Benefit
- Income Support
- Jobseeker’s Allowance
- Pension Credit – only if you get the PIP daily living component
- Universal Credit
Where to find help
Anyone who has already claimed PIP or has a general query about their award and what else they may be entitled to claim should call the Disability Service Centre.
You can contact them for advice or information about a claim you’ve already made for PIP, Disability Living Allowance (DLA) or Attendance Allowance. Full contact details including phone numbers can be found on the GOV.UK website.