The number of people aged over 16 claiming Personal Independence Payments (PIP) has reached 3.3 million, according to new figures from the Department of Work and Pensions.
The figure is up from 2.9m in the same month last year with much of the rise due to increases in claims from people suffering with mental health issues.
The PIP figure includes some 218,859 Scots but not another group north of the border who have transferred from PIP to Adult Disability Payment (ADP).
The latest ADP figures from October show 137,490 people were in receipt of the devolved payment.
A successful claim for PIP or ADP is worth between £26.90 and £172.75 each week and the benefit is paid every four weeks. These are set to rise by 6.7 percent from April 8.
One in three (36 percent) of all claims with entitlement to PIP at the end of January are in receipt of the highest level of award.
An award for PIP or ADP can lead to additional support for housing costs, Council Tax, other benefits and reduced travel on public transport.
The DWP says that the four main reasons people are claiming PIP currently are psychiatric disorders, musculoskeletal disease, neurological disease and respiratory disease.
The DWP statistics show an increase in the number of people claiming for Psychiatric Disorders, which includes a wide number of conditions including anxiety, stress, depression and learning disorders.
The nationwide number of claimants for these types of conditions rose from 1,288,379 at the end of October to 1,318,073 at the end of January.
The number of people claiming for Musculoskeletal Conditions such as arthritis, joint, chronic or back pain and hip disorders increased from 1,086,689 to 1,102,171.
Who might be eligible for PIP or ADP?
To be eligible for PIP or ADP, you must have a health condition or disability where you:
Have had difficulties with daily living or getting around (or both) for 3 months.
Expect these difficulties to continue for at least 9 months.
You usually need to have lived in the UK for at least two of the last three years and be in the country when you apply.
In addition to what we have outlined above if you get or need help with any of the following because of your condition, you should consider applying for PIP or ADP.
* Preparing, cooking or eating food
* Managing your medication
* Washing, bathing or using the toilet
* Dressing and undressing
* Engaging and communicating with other people
* Reading and understanding written information
* Making decisions about money
* Planning a journey or following a route
* Moving around
How claimants are assessed
You will be assessed by an independent healthcare professional to help the DWP determine the level of financial support, if any, you need.
For PIP, face-to-face consultations for health-related benefits are offered alongside video calls, telephone and paper-based assessments – it’s important to be aware that the health professional and DWP determine which type of assessment is best suited for each claimant.
In Scotland, ADP assessments will not involve face-to-face assessments, unless this is preferred by the claimant – find out more about the changes here.
DWP or Social Security Scotland will assess how difficult you find daily living and mobility tasks. For each task they will look at:
* Whether you can do it safely
* How long it takes you
* How often your condition affects this activity
* Whether you need help to do it, from a person or using extra equipment
PIP is made up of two components – daily living and mobility.
Whether you get one or both of these and how much depends on how severely your condition affects you.
You will be paid the following amounts per week depending on your circumstances:
Daily living
Standard rate: £68.10 (rising to £72.65 in April)
Enhanced rate: £101.75 (rising to £108.55 in April)
Mobility
Standard rate: £26.90 (rising to £28.70 in April)
Enhanced rate: £71.00 (rising to £75.75 in April)
How are PIP and ADP paid?
PIP and ADP are usually paid every four weeks unless you are terminally ill, in which case it is paid weekly. It will be paid directly into your bank, building society or credit union account. ADP is paid at the same rates as PIP.
