PIP benefits shake-up could make it easier to claim
The Personal Independence Payment (PIP) is a benefit designed to help working-age adults living with an illness, disability, or mental health condition.
As of 31st October 2022, there were 2.8 million claimants entitled to PIP (caseload) in England & Wales. According to reports, just over one in three cases (35%) receive the highest level of award. Due to some of the shocking reports about the application process for claiming PIP, those who need help are put off from applying.
It is not just those who are applying for PIP for the first time who are put off, it is also those who are facing the review process. Some people who are already receiving PIP find the review process stressful and unfair. Many claimants have been shocked that when it came to their review, their award was reduced.
We have heard from people living in London, Manchester, Grimsby, Liverpool, Hull, Lincoln, and Morecombe who have said the process of renewing their claim has been one of the most stressful times of their life. Now, with the changes, that stress could be removed.
As of next month, thousands of PIP claimants may find it easier to renew their benefits thanks to a significant shake-up.
Let’s explore the changes coming to PIP, how much you can expect to receive, and what the new application process will look like.
PIP Benefits Shake-Up: What You Need to Know
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has announced a major overhaul of the PIP service. The goal is to make it more efficient and less costly for taxpayers while cutting down on delays in receiving benefits. Currently, around three million people claim PIP across Britain, making it the third biggest Government payout after State Pension and Universal Credit.
The waiting time for PIP claims has recently been reduced from an average of 26 weeks to 14 weeks. However, the DWP wants to cut even more red tape and streamline the process even further. One of the ways it is doing this is by introducing an option to apply for PIP online. Claimants will have the ability to save, resume, and upload medical evidence, giving them greater control over the application process.
The Health Transformation Programme is also overhauling the entire PIP service. This will reduce the time it takes to process a claim and create a vastly improved claimant experience. The DWP is keeping the PIP application process under continual review to ensure it meets the needs of claimants and helps the department reach an accurate assessment of an individual’s entitlement.
How Much is PIP?
PIP is made up of two components: a daily living rate and a mobility rate. You can be entitled to both or just one of these rates. The decision to award you PIP is based on how your condition affects your life, rather than the illness itself.
If you’re successful in your PIP claim, you could receive between £26.90 and £172.75 per week. The daily living rate has two tiers: the lower rate of £68.10 and the higher rate of £101.75. The mobility rate also has two tiers: the lower rate of £26.90 and the higher rate of £71.
You might be eligible for the daily living part of PIP if you need help with eating, drinking, or preparing food, washing, bathing and using the toilet, dressing and undressing, reading and communicating, managing your medicines or treatments, making decisions about money, or socializing and being around other people.
You might be eligible for the mobility part of PIP if you need help with working out a route and following it, physically moving around, or leaving your home.
What Changes Are Coming to PIP?
As of next month, the DWP is introducing a new “light-touch” PIP review for those with ten-year awards. This means that instead of filling out a 16-page form, those with ten-year awards will only have to fill out a shorter six-page form. In most cases, an assessment with a healthcare professional shouldn’t be needed either.
Most people above state pension age who are claiming review will also be moved to “light-touch” review forms. If “light-touch” reviews apply to you, your PIP will only be reviewed every ten years, and the form will be simpler.
For all other claimants, a normal award review will be conducted.
The New Online PIP Application Process
The DWP is also introducing an online option for PIP applications. This gives claimants a greater choice in how they interact with the DWP and the ability to save, resume, and upload medical evidence. The new online service is currently being tested on a small scale, but the goal is to gradually expand it to include all claimants.
As part of the new online service, the DWP is looking to re-use previous medical evidence, so claimants don’t need to send it in again. They are also reviewing how much information is needed to make a decision to streamline the process and cut paperwork and delays.
Other Improvements to the PIP Service
The DWP has already introduced a range of improvements to make the PIP service more accessible for disabled applicants. For example, the Relay UK phone service is available for those with hearing and speech difficulties, and a Video Relay Service has been introduced.
The PIP2 claim form has been made easier to complete, and medical assessments can now be carried out by video or telephone, as well as in person. Applicants are also kept updated during the process with text messages.
Conclusion
The upcoming PIP benefits shake-up is set to make it easier for claimants to renew their benefits and streamline the application process. The introduction of the online application option and the “light-touch” review for those with ten-year awards will make the process more efficient and less time-consuming.
It’s important to note that PIP is a benefit designed to help working-age adults living with an illness, disability, or mental health condition. The amount you receive will depend on your circumstances and how your condition affects your life. If you think you may be eligible for PIP, it’s worth exploring your options and making a claim.