Personal Independence Payment (PIP)

What is PIP?

Personal Independence Payment (PIP) is a benefit that can help with some of the extra costs of having a long-term health condition or disability.

PIP is made up of two parts - a daily living part and a mobility part. Each part has two rates - a standard and an enhanced rate. Whether you get one or both of these and how much you'll get depends on how severely your condition affects you. 

PIP is usually paid every four weeks. It is tax-free and you can get it whether you are in or out of work.

Am I eligible?

You must be aged 16 or over and have not reached State Pension age to claim. 

You usually need to have lived in England, Scotland or Wales for at least 2 of the last 3 years, and be in one of these countries when you apply. If you've recently returned from living in another country you might be able to get PIP sooner. Visit DWP for further information about this.

If you are not in receipt of Disability Living Allowance (DLA) and are claiming PIP for the first time there will be a three-month qualifying period. This is the period during which you have had needs due to a health condition or disability. The needs arising from your condition or disability will be expected to last for a further nine months in order to qualify for PIP.

Who pays it?

Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).

How do I apply?

Call 0800 917 2222 to start the claim process.

You will be asked some personal details and questions in relation to your claim. Following this a claim pack (PIP 2) will be sent to you for completion. You will usually be asked to attend a face-to-face consultation as part of the process. If you have a severe health condition or terminal illness, you may not be required to attend a face-to-face consultation.

Is it National Insurance based?

No.

Is it means tested?

No.

Does it have any effect on other benefits?

An award of PIP will never have a negative effect on other benefits. In fact, it will have a positive effect on some means-tested benefits by attracting premiums that will increase these benefits. 

If you have a carer, claiming PIP may help them to qualify for certain benefits (such as carer's allowance).

If you claim constant attendance allowance at the same time as PIP or DLA the amount of PIP or DLA you get might be reduced.

When was PIP introduced?

It was introduced for all new claims from June 2013. From October 2013, working-age DLA claimants who report a change of circumstances or whose award is due for renewal will be reassessed using PIP criteria. This is a phased process that is ongoing.

If you are in receipt of DLA, will your payments be automatically transferred to PIP?

There is no automatic transfer to PIP. DLA claimants will be advised when their reassessment is due and will be invited to make a claim for PIP. It is important at this time that claimants make contact with Disability Benefits Centre to take up this invite. Failure to do this will result in DLA being stopped.

If you currently receive DLA with lifetime/indefinite awards, will you have to be reassessed for PIP?

Yes. This is because PIP will have different entitlement criteria to DLA, for example, a previous award of high rate mobility does not automatically translate to an award of enhanced rate mobility under PIP criteria.

Will children in receipt of DLA be affected by PIP?

At present anyone under the age of 16 will not be affected and will continue to receive DLA.

Will pensioners in receipt of DLA be reassessed under PIP?

If you were 65 or over and in receipt of DLA on the day PIP was introduced, you will not be required to make a claim for PIP and will continue to receive DLA for as long as you continue to satisfy the criteria. If you were under 65, you will be reassessed.

Will pensioners in receipt of Attendance Allowance (AA) be reassessed under PIP?

No. If you receive Attendance Allowance you will not be affected by the introduction of PIP.

Can I challenge the decision?

You can challenge a decision about PIP if you are unhappy with it. 

How to contact us

You can get in touch by emailing TPteam@northlan.gov.uk or calling 01698 332551.