Personal Independence Payment (PIP) will replace the current Disability Living Allowance (DLA).
PIP is the same as DLA as it is a tax free benefit for children and adults with disabilities to help cope with the extra cost of living for people with a disability.
Who will be affected?
Anyone between the ages of 16 and 65 who is eligible to claim DLA. Existing claimants of DLA will be reassessed for PIP, meaning some claimants may have their benefits reduced.
When is it happening?
Working age DLA claimants will begin to be reassessed for PIP from June 2013.
however the reassessments will be done in stages. You should receive a letter inviting you to be reassessed for PIP but this may be later than June so you will continue to claim DLA until you are reassessed, as long as you meet the criteria. Most existing claimants of DLA won’t be affected until 2015.
If you are a new claimant from the June 2013 there will be two forms you will need to fill in:
- Personal Independence claim form (PIP1) – you will need to complete your name, address, contact details, payment details etc and other details about your nationality, whether you are in hospital, in residential care or terminally ill.
- How your disability affects you (PIP1003) – This asks you questions on the activities tests
What should I do?
You can find further information and advice from
- Disability rights
- Department for Work and Pensions
- Your Benefit and Money Advisor
- Read our Introducing PIP article from Your Home Issue 08
If you have questions, or are worried about any of what you have read here, or anything you’ve seen in the news, contact your Benefit & Money Advisor.