Personal Independence Payment (PIP) 

Personal Independence Payment (PIP) is a benefit for those who have care or/and mobility issues due to a chronic or long term health condition or disability. In order to claim you need to be aged over 16 but under state pension age. If you are awarded PIP before state pension age you can continue to receive it after you reach pension age. You can check your state pension age at www.gov.uk/state-pension-age

To make a claim most people will need to register a claim by calling the PIP claim line on 0800 917 2222.  However in some areas it is possible to make a claim online, see www.gov.uk/pip/how-to-claim.   You will need your National Insurance Number, bank details and doctors details to hand.

• If you register a claim by phone, you will be sent a form by post which will need to be completed and returned to progress the claim.
• If you register a claim online this form will need to be completed online.

This form will ask you in detail about your health conditions, medication, care needs and mobility problems. There will be a return deadline on the form and it is important you return it by that time to avoid losing out on any potential awards. If you need more time to return the form you should contact PIP to request an extension. 

After you return your PIP claim form you are likely to have to attend a face-to-face assessment with a health care professional. They work for an assessment provider who are contracted by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). Occasionally if there is sufficient evidence from any professionals working with you this may not be needed. The healthcare professional will produce a report for the DWP based on the information you gave who will use the report to make a decision on your claim.
www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/sick-or-disabled-people-and-carers/pip/help-with-your-claim/how-decisions-are-made/

Adult Disability Payment (ADP) – Scotland only

ADP is a benefit for disabled working-age adults who live in Scotland. It's to help with the extra costs of being disabled or having a long-term health condition – the equivalent of PIP. It cannot be paid at the same time as PIP. If you move to Scotland, you'll keep getting PIP until you are advised to move to Adult Disability Payment. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and Social Security Scotland will tell you when that will happen. You will not have to re-apply, and the rate and amount of payment you get will be the same in most cases.

You can make a claim over the phone by calling 0800 182 2222 or online via www.mygov.scot/adult-disability-payment  

More information is also available at www.citizensadvice.org.uk/scotland/benefits/sick-or-disabled-people-and-carers/adult-disability-payment-s/adult-disability-payment/adult-disability-payment-s/

Disability Living Allowance

Disability Living Allowance (DLA) can now only be claimed by children under 16 who have extra needs due to health conditions or a disability. The needs have to be ‘substantially in excess’ of the needs of a child without the same health conditions or disabilities. 

DLA for adults was replaced by PIP several years ago.  Most adults who were on DLA have been transferred onto PIP although there are a few people who have still will be. 

DLA is not means tested therefore is not affected by other benefits, income or savings. Children will stay on DLA until they reach their 16th birthday when they will be advised they need to claim PIP. To make a claim for DLA you need to request a claim form by calling 0800 121 4600.  https://contact.org.uk/help-for-families/information-advice-services/benefits-financial-help/disability-living-allowance/

Attendance Allowance (AA)

If you are over state pension age and not already getting PIP, DLA or ADP you may be able to get Attendance Allowance (AA) instead. Like DLA and PIP it is not means-tested so is not affected by most other benefits, income and savings. It is based on personal care needs. 

To make a claim for AA you can request a claim form by calling 0800 731 0122 or alternatively download a form at www.gov.uk/government/publications/attendance-allowance-claim-form

The process to claim in Northern Ireland is slightly different as is the form: www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/attendance-allowance

Carer's Allowance

Carer’s Allowance (CA) is a benefit for people who provide at least 35 of care for someone in receipt of DLA, AA or PIP, and earn no more than £139 a week. In some circumstances claiming CA can affect the cared for person’s benefits. It is important to get advice before submitting a claim.  www.gov.uk/carers-allowance/how-to-claim

If you have a spinal cord injury need advice or assistance with any benefit matter or forms please contact our Welfare Benefits Advice team on 0208 420 6711 or by email [email protected]