HUNDREDS of hard-up Brits claiming PIP have had their payments delayed.
The issue has meant that some households have been left without cash to put their heating on.
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Over 2.9million people with long-term health conditions or disabilities get extra cash help through personal independent payment (PIP).
The benefit can be worth up to £156.90 a week, but hundreds of hard-up Brits have complained of delays to payments today.
Mum of two Maria Cann from Swansea told The Sun her £250 PIP payment hasn’t arrived as expected leaving her “incredibly stressed.”
The 28-year-old said: “My PIP is paid into my bank account every four weeks on Monday.
“But my bank account with Barclays clears the payment early and I usually have access to the cash on Saturday before.
“But this week I have no PIP payment on my bank account statement and it’s incredibly stressful with Christmas only weeks away.
“This is a nightmare because I don’t have enough cash to put on my gas or electricity meter and I worry about others who won’t be able to feed their families.”
It’s not clear yet how widespread the issue is but there are hundreds of complaints on social media.
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One person Tweeted: “Along with many others, my PIP payment has not gone in.
“This means anxiety and stress, overdraft fees and cancelled shopping delivery.”
Another PIP claimant said that they phoned the DWP 16 times but the call keeps getting cutting out leaving them “absolutely seething.”
We’ve contacted the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to find out what has happened.
The news comes after tax credit customers were left without cash after the HMRC phones lines went down.
The issue started on Friday and the technical fault led customers to complain on Twitter.
HMRC told The Sun that its phone lines have now reopened on Monday (December 5).
How can I get help and make a complaint?
If you’ve been left out of pocket by the payment delays, possibly through late payment fees for overdrafts or credit cards, it might be worth contacting your bank in the first instance to see what they can do.
You will most likely need evidence of any possible late payment.
Each bank will have its own complaints process – so you should check with yours directly.
If you failed to pay your gas and electricity bill you’ll need to get in touch with your energy supplier directly and explain the situation.
If you’re desperate for cash and need to make a payment consider all your options.
The first option would be to ask family and friends for a loan.
But if that’s not an option you may be able to extend the interest-free period of your overdraft when talking to your bank.
We’ve listed six ways to get cash in emergencies.
You can also complain to the DWP about any aspect of its service you’ve received.
You’ll need your National Insurance number, your full name, address and contact number, details on what happened, when it happened and how it affected you and what you want to be done to correct the issue.
You can call the DWP’s complaints line for free on 0800 3285 644 if you have a Universal Credit account or 0800 3289 344 if you don’t.
Phone lines are open between 8am and 6pm.
Alternatively, you can make a complaint using the online form.
Letters should be sent to DWP Complaints, Post Handling Site B, Wolverhampton, WV99 2GY.
You should check out DWP’s website for further details.
Who can get PIP?
PIP is for those aged 16 or over who have not reached state pension age.
You must have lived in England, Scotland or Wales for at least two of the last three years, and be in one of these countries when you apply.
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 six 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, and engaging with other people.
How much do I get from PIP?
PIP is made up of two parts and whether you get one or both of these depend 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 £24.45 or £64.50.
While on the daily living part of PIP, the weekly rate is either £61.85 or £92.40 – and you could get both elements, so up to £156.90 in total.
You’ll be assessed by a health professional to work out the level of help you can get and your rate will be regularly reviewed to make sure you’re getting the right support.
Payments are usually made every four weeks directly into your bank account, and they’re tax-free.
Just bear in mind that if you get PIP and constant attendance allowance or war pensioners’ mobility supplement, the daily living part of your PIP will be reduced.
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:
- 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.
You can also read Citizens Advice’s help on preparing for an assessment.
