PIP awards are given for a set time period (Image: MoMo Productions via Getty Images)
The most recent figures from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) reveal that 3.9 million people across Great Britain are now claiming Personal Independence Payment (PIP).
The data also shows that 753,206 people aged between 65 and 79 were receiving the disability benefit at the end of October, enhancing their monthly income by up to £1,670.80.
Additionally, there are 529,216 PIP recipients aged between 60 and 64 receiving financial assistance of between £116.80 and £749.80 every four-week payment period.
Many individuals over 56 who are approaching State Pension age may be unaware of a modification to PIP guidance in 2019 which states “claimants whose review would have taken place when they were of State Pension age means they are now generally awarded ongoing awards”.
Ongoing awards typically continue for 10 years, although award categories and review periods are determined individually, based on the claimant’s requirements and the probability of those requirements changing. This considers factors such as scheduled treatment/therapy or learning/adapting to manage a condition.
Pensioners on PIP
The latest DWP figures show across England, Wales and Scotland, the number of people over 65 on PIP at the end of October includes:
- Aged 65 – 69: 444,589
- Aged 70 – 74: 225,458
- Aged 75 – 79: 83,157
- Total: 753,206
PIP awards
Guidance from DWP states:
- For fixed length awards, the review period usually ranges from a minimum of nine months to a maximum 10 years
- Review periods of less than nine months are set only in exceptional circumstances
- An award of two years or less is considered short-term
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Combined incomes
The full New State Pension currently stands at £230.25 per week (£921 every four-week pay period), while the Basic State Pension reaches up to £176.45 (£705.80 every four-week pay period) – the amount you receive depends on your National Insurance contribution record.
While State Pension, PIP and Adult Disability Payment (ADP) for Scottish claimants are paid separately, they could deliver a combined monthly income of up to £1,670.80 – this applies to someone receiving the full New State Pension alongside the highest PIP or ADP awards for both daily living and mobility components.
PIP and ADP payment rates
An assessment is required to determine your level of financial support, with your rate subject to regular reviews to ensure you receive appropriate assistance. Payments are issued every four weeks.
PIP comprises two components – daily living and mobility. Whether you receive one or both components, and the amount, depends on how severely your condition impacts you.
The following weekly amounts will be paid based on your circumstances:
- Standard rate: £73.90
- Enhanced rate: £110.40
Mobility
- Standard rate: £29.20
- Enhanced rate: £77.05
PIP, ADP and State Pension age
On reaching State Pension age, individuals can no longer submit new claims for PIP, Disability Living Allowance (DLA) or ADP. However, those already in receipt of PIP, DLA, or ADP upon reaching State Pension age will continue receiving the benefit until their award period concludes, at which point it will undergo review through the standard procedure.
Those reaching State Pension age who are no longer in receipt of any working age disability benefits may also be entitled to reclaim it – provided they are claiming for the identical health conditions for which they originally received the award and their previous claim ended fewer than 12 months before attaining State Pension age.
For individuals over State Pension age living with a health condition, long-term illness or disability, they may qualify for Attendance Allowance – this provides either £73.90 or £110.40 weekly from DWP. Further information about claiming Attendance Allowance is available here.
If you have not yet attained State Pension age but are living with a health condition, disability or long-term illness, you may be eligible for PIP or ADP. Below is a summary of both benefits.
Who qualifies for PIP or ADP?
To qualify for PIP or ADP, you must have a health condition or disability where you have experienced difficulties with daily living or mobility (or both) for 3 months and anticipate these difficulties to persist for at least 9 months.
You typically need to have resided in the UK for at least two of the previous three years and be present in the country when submitting your application. Beyond what we have detailed above, if you receive or require assistance with any of the following due to your condition, you should contemplate submitting an application for PIP or ADP:
- preparing, cooking or eating food
- managing your medication
- washing, bathing or using the toilet
- dressing and undressing
- engaging and communicating with other people
- reading and understanding written information
- making decisions about money
- planning a journey or following a route
- moving around
Different regulations apply if you are terminally ill, which you can find on the GOV.UK website here.
The DWP or Social Security Scotland will evaluate how challenging you find daily living and mobility activities. For each activity they will examine:
- whether you can do it safely
- how long it takes you
- how often your condition affects this activity
- whether you need help to do it, from a person or using extra equipment