ARE YOU OF WORKING AGE AND IN NEED OF HELP WITH DAILY LIVING OR MOBILITY? YOU MAY BE ELIGIBLE FOR PERSONAL INDEPENDENCE PAYMENT (PIP)

PIP is a new benefit for people who need help participating in everyday life or who find it difficult to get around. It replaces Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for people of working age (16-64).

According to the Government the change has been made to introduce a more objective assessment, including a face-to-face consultation with an independent health professional. It includes regular reviews so that individuals continue to get the right support.

PIP is tax free, not means tested, and you do not have to have paid national insurance contributions to be entitled to it. It isn’t affected by earnings or other income. It is almost always paid in full on top of other social security benefits or tax credits.

There are two components:

• A daily living component – standard rate £53 per week – enhanced rate £79.15 per week
• A mobility component – standard rate £21 per week – enhanced rate £55.25 per week

You can be paid either the daily living or mobility component on its own or both at the same time.

You can qualify for PIP whether or not you have someone helping you. What matters is the effects of your disability or health condition and the help you need, not whether you are already getting that help.

Do you qualify?

You must

• be within the age limits (16-64)
• have been able to pass the PIP assessment throughout the 3 months before you claim and show that you are likely to meet the tests for a further 9 months after the claim
• pass the residence and presence tests and not be subject to immigration control
• make a claim (usually initial contact is by telephone 0800 917 2222 – lines are open 8am to 6pm Monday to Friday and are free from a BT landline and most mobiles. Someone else can make the call, but you must be there with them) If you satisfy the basic entitlement conditions, DWP will send you a form called How your disability affects you. You have one month (from the date of the phone call) to complete and return the form.
• pass the PIP assessment – your application form will go to the regional disability benefits centre of the DWP and will then be passed to ATOS Healthcare (for those living in Surrey), who will allocate it to one of their healthcare professionals. before contacting you to make arrangements for a face-to-face consultation, ATOS may contact your doctor, consultant or other medically qualified person who is treating you for more information. The assessment is points based and relates to 12 different types of activity. You score points when you are not able to complete the task described safely, to an acceptable standard, repeatedly and within a reasonable time period.

What does the test cover?

Daily Living Component

• preparing food
• taking nutrition
• managing therapy or monitoring health condition
• washing and bathing
• managing toilet needs or incontinence
• dressing and undressing
• communicating verbally
• reading and understanding signs, symbols and words
• engaging with other people face to face
• making budgeting decisions

Mobility Component

• planning and following journeys
• moving around

How does it affect me if I already claim DLA?

If you are between 16 and 64 you will be reassessed for PIP at some stage between 7 October 2013 and October 2017.

Children on DLA will not be reassessed for PIP until after their 16th birthday.

People who turned 65 by 8.4.13 will continue on DLA.

You will find more about PIP at www.adviceguide.org.uk or at www.gov.uk If you need advice or help with an application for PIP you can contact us on our advice line 10am to 4pm Monday to Friday or call in at one of our bureaux to make na appointment.