The Personal Independence Payment is replacing the Disability Living Allowance (DLA) – something which is ending for people aged 16 to 64. However, it’s possible to continue getting DLA if the eligible individual is under the age of 16 or if they were born on or before April 8, 1948 and have an existing claim.
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Addressing recipients of DLA, the government website states: “You’ll continue getting DLA until the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) invites you to apply for PIP.
“You do not need to do anything until DWP writes to you about your DLA unless your circumstances change.”
PIP is tax-free, and eligible people can get the payment whether they’re in or out of work.
However, the government website points out an assessment will need to be carried out to “work out the level of help you’ll get”.
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has announced changes to the assessment system during the coronavirus crisis.
How much are PIP rates?
The payment is made up of two parts.
Whether or not a person gets one or both of these parts, and how much they get, “depends on how severely your condition affects you”.
Daily living part
The weekly rate for the daily living part of PIP is either £59.70 or £89.15.
Mobility part
The weekly rate for the mobility part of PIP is either £23.60 or £62.25.
There are a number of eligibility rules, and usually, this will include not having reached state pension age.
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So, what options do people who need additional financial support due to a health condition or disability have?
Gov.uk explains that people who have reached state pension age can still get PIP if they:
Were already getting PIP before they reached state pension age and their condition hasn’t changed
Have been claiming Disability Living Allowance (DLA) and they’ve had a letter inviting them to apply for PIP.
“You may get PIP if you previously got it and you were still entitled to it within the last year,” it adds.
Those who cannot get PIP are told that they can apply for Attendance Allowance instead.
The state pension age is currently rising, meaning some may reach state pension age at a different point in life compared to others.
It’s possible to check what one’s state pension age is online, using Gov.uk’s “Check your State Pension age” tool.
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