Personal Independence Payment (PIP) is a benefit which helps with extra living costs if you have both a long-term physical or mental health condition and difficulty doing certain everyday tasks. PIP is paid every four weeks, but some claimants will have to wait months to hear if they have been successful before getting any cash.
PIP, which is replacing the Disability Living Allowance, is a vital lifeline for many and can be claimed on top of receiving Universal Credit. The amount you receive from PIP depends on how difficult you find performing daily tasks, which will be assessed through a points system during your application.
But this is a process that can take time. Only those with a terminal illness will have the process of having their application being accepted sped up and claim fast-tracked.
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How long does it take to get paid
It can take up to six months for your application to be accepted and to receive your first payment, Citizens Advice says. This is despite the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) approving 30,000 PIP claims every month according to the latest data from July 2022, double what they were doing at the same time last year.
According to Citizens Advice, if the DWP decide you can get PIP, they'll pay you the money you should have got from the date you started your claim. However, payments are not backdated, so you won't get any money for months before you began your application.
How much you'll get
There are two parts to PIP and if you qualify for both the daily living and mobility parts, you could be paid up to £156.90 per week. The higher rate for daily living is £92.40 per week, while the lower rate is £61.85. The higher rate of the mobility part is paid at £64.50 per week and £24.45 at the lower.
How to claim PIP
You can get PIP even if you're working, have savings or are getting most other benefits. As part of the application process, which can be started here, you have to complete a questionnaire which will assess the level of financial support you require due to you level of mobility and ability to perform daily tasks.
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