In April 2013 the Personal Independence Payment (PIP) replaced the Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for most people.
There are two parts to PIP: Care Component and Mobility Component
Care Component (per week) Mobility Component (per week)
Daily living Component:
Enhanced: £82.30 £57.45
Standard: £55.10 £21.80
To be eligible for the Care Component you need to:
- Be over 16 years of age
- Stopped getting DLA after the age of 65
- Make a new claim to DLA within 12 months of it stopping
OR
- You need help looking after yourself eg washing, dressing, eating, using the toilet, communicating
- You need supervision to avoid putting yourself or others in danger
- You can’t prepare a cooked main meal
- You need someone with you when you are on dialysis.
You can get the Care Component if no-one is giving you the support you need or if you live alone.
You can be eligible for the Mobility Component if:
- You have no feet or legs
- You are 100% blind or 80% deaf and need someone with you are outdoors
- You are severely mentally impaired with severe behavioural problems and get the highest rate of care for DLA
- You need supervision most of the time when walking outdoors
- You are certified as severely sight impaired and you were aged between 3 & 64 on 11th April 2011.
You may still be eligible for Disability Living Allowance (DLA) if:
- You were 65 or over on 8 April 2013.
- You stopped getting DLA after the age of 65
- You make a new claim to DLA within 12 months of DLA stopping
There are 2 parts to DLA: Care Component and Mobility Component:
Care Component (per week) Mobility Component (per week)
Lowest £21.80 £21.80
Middle £55.10 N/A
Highest £82.30 £57.45
To be eligible for the Care Component you need to:
- Be over 16 years of age
- Stopped getting DLA after the age of 65
- Make a new claim to DLA within 12 months of it stopping
OR
- You need help looking after yourself eg washing dressing, eating using the toilet, communicating
- You need supervision to avoid putting yourself or others in danger
- You can’t prepare a cooked main meal
- You need someone with you when you are on dialysis.
You can get the Care Component if no-one is giving you the support you need or if you live alone
How do I claim?
If you are already receiving DLA you do not need to claim PIP, the Department of Work and Pensions will be in touch with you when you need to swap to PIP. If you are making a new claim, or if your existing DLA award is about to expire, check here to find out if PIP has been introduced in your area.
For making a claim under PIP, the process is as follows:
1. Call the Department of Work and Pensions on 0800 9172222.
2. They will send you a claim document to fill in, you should receive this within 10 days.
3. Fill in the claim document and return along with any supporting documents – such as statements from your doctor or healthcare professional.
4. It is likely you will need an independent assessment by an approved healthcare professional, this can be in your own home or at another location.
5. You will then receive a confirmation of your award if it has been approved from the Department of Work and Pensions.
If you struggle with tasks such as filling in official forms, ask a trusted friend or guardian to help you. Alternatively you can access help with this sort of application through ‘advocates’ and services such as the Citizen’s Advice Bureau.
Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
You can apply for ESA if you are employed, self-employed, unemployed or a student on Disability Living Allowance (DLA) or Personal Independence Payment (PIP).
You may be eligible for ESA if your illness or disability affects your ability to work AND
- You are under State Pension Age
- You are not getting Statutory Sick Pay or Statutory Maternity Pay and you have not gone back to work
- You are not receiving Job Seekers Allowance
After you have been assessed (Work Capacity Assessment) and if you are eligible, you will be placed in one of two categories:
- Work related activity group – where you will receive regular interviews with an advisor
or:
- Support group where you don’t have interviews
If eligible, for 13 weeks after your claim you will receive the assessment rate of:
- Up to £57.90 per week if you are under 25 years old
- Up to £73.10 per week if you are over 25 years old
Then:
- Up to £102.15 per week if you are in a work related activity group
- Up to £109.30 if you are in a support group
In addition:
If you are in a support group and in income related ESA you will also receive £15.75 per week Enhanced Disability Premium.
Further Information
For further information visit the official websites:
https://www.gov.uk/pip/overview
https://www.gov.uk/pip/what-youll-get
https://www.gov.uk/employment-support-allowance/overview
Or call: 0845 8503322
