MILLIONS of people suffer from arthritis, but many may not know that they could get up to £173 a week in extra help.
Anyone suffering from the painful condition could be eligible for a cash payout from the government.
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If you have a condition such as Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, it can make your daily life very difficult.
If this is the case for you, then you may be eligible for Personal Independence Payment (PIP).
PIP is a benefit for those who struggle with any health condition or disability.
The payment can boost your income by thousands of pounds a year, and you can be eligible whether you are in work or not.
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If you’re found to be eligible, the payment will be made directly into your bank or building society account once you’ve provided your details.
You’ll need to make sure that it’s an account that can receive automated payments, like a current account, a basic bank account or even a prepaid card.
If you’re unable to open any of these accounts, contact the office responsible for paying your benefit to find out how you can get your benefit paid to you.
There are two elements to PIP: a daily living part if you need help with everyday tasks, and a mobility part if you need help with getting around.
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There are two rates for each part – standard or enhanced – depending on the level of your needs.
The weekly rates are:
- Standard daily living component: £68.10
- Enhanced daily living component: £107.75
- Standard mobility component: £26.90
- Enhanced mobility component: £71
This means you could get up to £748.58 a month if you get the higher weekly rates for both parts, or £8,983 a year.
It’s a hefty sum of cash which could be a big help, so if you don’t claim it already, check to see if you’re eligible.
The DWP says that while there is no specific list of conditions that entitle people to PIP, the impact it has on your daily life could mean you are eligible.
What is PIP?
Millions suffering from long-term health conditions or disabilities get extra cash help through personal independence payments (PIP).
You can get PIP even if you’re working, have savings or are getting most other benefits.
The payments can be worth up to £172.75 a week, so if you don’t claim it already, check to see if you’re eligible.
PIP is available to those aged 16 or over but no fresh claims can be made if you’ve reached the state pension age.
The current state pension age is 66 but this is set to rise to 68 over the next couple of decades.
Crucially, you must also have a health condition or disability where you either have had difficulties with daily living or getting around (or both) for three months, and you expect these difficulties to continue for at least nine months (unless you’re terminally ill with less than 12 months to live).
Difficulties with daily living can include:
- Preparing or eating food
- Washing, bathing and using the toilet
- Dressing and undressing
- Reading and communicating
- Managing your medicines or treatments
- Making decisions about money
- Engaging with other people
You can claim PIP at the same time as other benefits, except the armed forces independence payment.
If you receive constant attendance allowance you will receive less of the daily living part of PIP.
If you get war pensioners‘ mobility supplement you will not get the mobility part of PIP.
What are the current PIP rates?
PIP is made up of two parts, and whether you get one or both of these depends on how severely your condition affects you.
How much you get also depends on how your condition affects you.
You may get the mobility part of PIP if you need help going out or moving around. The weekly rate for this is either £26.90 or £71.
Meanwhile, on the daily living part of PIP, the weekly rate is either £68.10 or £101.75 – and you could get both elements, so up to £172.75 in total.
Payments are usually made every four weeks directly into your bank account, and they’re tax-free.
Benefit payments are rising by 6.7% from April, in line with the consumer price index (CPI) level of inflation for September 2023.
It will mean those on the daily living part of PIP will see their payments rise to either £72.65 or £108.55 a week.
The payments for the mobility part of pip will rise to £28.70 or £75.75 a week at the same time in April.
We’ve previously revealed the exact amount that other benefits are rising in April – including Universal Credit and Pension Credit.
How do I apply for PIP?
You can make a new Personal Independence Payment (PIP) claim by calling the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) on 0800 917 2222.
There are also other ways to claim if you find it difficult to use a telephone. See Gov.uk for more information.
When you claim, you’ll need the following information:
- Your contact details
- Date of birth
- National Insurance number
- Bank or building society account number and sort code
- Your doctor or health worker’s name
- Address and telephone number,
- Dates and addresses for any time you’ve spent abroad, in a care home or hospital
Someone else can call on your behalf, but you’ll need to be with them when they call.
You’ll then be sent a form to fill in, after which you’ll be invited for an assessment or your health or social care worker will be asked for information.
After this, you’ll be sent a letter telling you if your claim has been successful.
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You can read Citizens Advice’s help on preparing for an assessment guide on its website.
If you apply for PIP and are unsuccessful you can appeal a decision.
Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing [email protected].
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