If you need help with a wide variety of tasks, you could receive extra financial support
People with reading difficulties and other conditions could be eligible for a cash boost of £749 from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). Personal Independence Payments (PIP) can offer additional financial support for a wide range of conditions.
Yet it’s how these payments are calculated that is more crucial than the conditions themselves. This is because PIP assessments are not based on any one specific condition, but rather on how much that condition impacts you.
When undergoing an assessment for PIP, the level of assistance you require to participate in certain activities will help determine your PIP amount. Citizens Advice suggests that if you need help with any of the following due to a condition, you should consider applying for PIP:
- Reading and understanding written information
- Washing and bathing
- Communicating with other people
- Eating and drinking
- Making decisions about money
- Moving around
- Planning a journey or following a route
- Managing your treatments
- Managing toilet needs or incontinence
- Mixing with others
- Dressing and undressing
- Preparing and cooking food
How is PIP paid?
PIP is usually paid every four weeks unless you are terminally ill, in which case it is paid weekly. It will be paid directly into your bank, building society or credit union account.
PIP payment rate
You will need an assessment to work out the level of financial help you will receive and your rate will be regularly reviewed to make sure you are getting the right support.
PIP is made up of two components:
Whether you get one or both of these and how much you might get depends on how severely your condition affects you. You will be paid the following amounts per week, depending on your circumstances:
Daily living
- Standard rate: £73.90
- Enhanced rate: £110.40
Mobility
- Standard rate: £29.20
- Enhanced rate: £77.05
Making a PIP claim
You can make a new claim by contacting the DWP. You will find all the information you need to apply on the GOV.UK website here. Before you call, you will need:
- your contact details
- your date of birth
- your National Insurance number – this is on letters about tax, pensions and benefits
- your 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
