Universal Credit is designed to help people cover the everyday costs for those on low incomes or who are not working. However, if you also have a health condition, you could be able to claim more money each month
People with a health condition who are claiming Universal Credit could receive an extra £1,130 each month from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).
According to the latest figures, around 6.9million people were claiming Universal credit across the UK at the end of June. The benefit is designed to help people cover the everyday costs for those on low incomes or who are not working. However, if you also have a health condition, you could be able to claim more money each month.
Those claiming Universal Credit could also claim Personal Independence Payments (PIP) which is the UK’s main disability benefit. PIP is tax-free and non-means tested and they do not affect the benefit cap, which means someone claiming Universal Credit could potentially receive up to £737.20 every four weeks independently of their other benefits.
There are two components for PIP – the Daily Living component and the Mobility Component – and each pays a lower and higher rate. If you are eligible for both higher rates, which is £108.55 a week for the Daily Living and £75.75 a week for Mobility – then you would be eligible to get the full £737.20 a month.
This means those getting both PIP and the standard allowance for those over 25 for Universal Credit – which sits at £393.45 – could get a monthly payout of £1,130.65 each month. According to DWP records, these are the five most common conditions claiming PIP at the end of April 2024:
- Psychiatric disorder – 1.3million claimants – This includes mixed anxiety, stress, depressive and mood disorders, OCD and cognitive disorders
- Musculoskeletal disease (general) – 672,201 claimants – This includes muscle or joint pain and arthritic conditions
- Neurological disease – 465,187 claimants – This includes muscular dystrophy, epilepsy, headache, multiple sclerosis, neuropathy and other movement disorders
- Musculoskeletal disease – 416,878 claimants – This includes neck, back, shoulders, elbow, wrists, hands, hip, knee and ankle pain
- Respiratory disease – 138,003 claimants – This includes asthma, diseases of the upper respiratory tract, pulmonary fibrosis and cystic fibrosis
It’s important to know that the benefit is not paid depending on your medical condition or disability. Instead, PIP is paid – and the amount you get – is dependent on how your condition affects your daily life and your ability to do day-to-day tasks. This includes preparing and eating food, washing and getting dressed, basic toilet needs and moving around.
This means a broad range of conditions and disabilities can be eligible for PIP. To confirm how much you can get you may have to undergo a PIP assessment by the DWP. According to recent data, one in three (36%) of all claims with entitlement to PIP at the end of April receive the highest level of award.
