PERSONAL Independence Payments (PIP) are available for millions of people struggling from health conditions or a disability.
PIP is usually paid every four weeks but if there’s a Bank Holiday you may receive it earlier.
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The benefit is designed to help with extra living costs if you have a long-term mental or physical health condition or disability.
There are two parts to the benefit which means you can get paid different amounts depending on your circumstances.
The daily living part is paid to you if you need help with everyday tasks and the mobility part if you need help moving around.
Both parts are split into lower and higher weekly rates depending on your situation.
The daily living part lower weekly rate is £61.85 and the higher weekly rate is £92.40.
The mobility part lower weekly rate is £24.45 and the higher weekly rate is £64.50.
Will I get paid early over the Easter Bank Holiday?
Benefit payments are usually made straight into your bank account.
But, if your payment is on a weekend or Bank Holiday you’ll usually be paid one working day before.
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Good Friday, which is on April 7 and Easter Monday, April 10, are both classed as Bank holidays.
So if you get your PIP payment on either of these days, you’ll get it on Thursday April 6 instead.
You don’t need to do anything if your usual date for getting state pension payments falls on a bank holiday.
For many it might be nice to get your payments early but it does mean you’ll have to make it last longer in January.
So do make sure you’re planning ahead so you aren’t struggling at the end of next month.
How are PIP payments split up?
PIP payments are split into two parts, the daily living part and the mobility part.
The daily living part is, like the name suggests, to help with daily living costs.
This includes:
- 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
- socialising and being around other people
Meanwhile, the mobility part is to cover the cost of:
- working out a route and following it
- physically moving around
- leaving your home
Who is eligible for PIP?
Government figures from April 2022 show there were around three million people entitled to PIP.
But you’ll only get it if all of the following apply:
- you’re 16 or over
- you have a long-term physical or mental health condition or disability
- you have difficulty doing certain everyday tasks or getting around
- you expect the difficulties to last for at least 12 months from when they started
- you’re under state pension age (66)
You can get PIP alongside other benefits, like Universal Credit.
The only benefit you can’t get alongside PIP is Armed Forces Independence Payment.
You also have to have lived in England, Scotland or Wales for at least two of the last three years and be in one of these countries when applying.
The process is different in Northern Ireland, and there are additional rules if you live abroad or if you’re not a British citizen.
You can also get PIP if you’re working or have savings.
What other help can I get?
Millions will be in line for part of £1,350 though some could qualify for it all.
It’s rare that households will qualify for all three payments but if you do, you’ll get the full £1,350 on offer and you’ll be automatically paid.
For example, if you claim pension credit and attendance allowance and are eligible for the winter fuel payment you’ll get the full amount.
As part of the £900, a second payment of £300 and a third payment of £299 will be made.
Payment windows for the £1,350 payment will be broadly as follows, though bear in mind you may get them slightly later if you’re on only tax credit:
- £301 – First Cost of Living Payment – during Spring 2023
- £150 – 2023 Disability Payment – during Summer 2023
- £300 – Second Cost of Living Payment – during Autumn 2023
- £300 – 2023 Pensioner Payment – during Winter
- £299 – Third Cost of Living Payment – during Spring 2024
