Any person between the ages of 16-64 years living with a disability is entitled to a personal independence payment. People living with terminal or long-term health conditions also qualify for personal independent payment (PIP) provided by the government. Before PIP, the government provided the disability living allowance to people living with these conditions. Hence any person applying for the disability living allowance should apply for the PIP claim instead. People need not worry about the qualifications for the PIP claim, since it is a need-based benefit that is measured according to the person’s living circumstances.
What are the qualifications for a Personal independence claim?
- A person must be between the ages of 16-64 years. Children under the age of 16 years cannot claim personal independence payment. Their guardians can apply for an allowance for living with a disability based on their need for help in their daily activities.
- They must need help to perform their daily activities, such as help with their mobility.
- The person must show that they require the claim for over three months and expect that it will incapacitate them for over 9 months. The exception to this rule is people that are terminally ill and have an expected mortality of fewer than six months.
What is the process involved in claiming personal independence payment?
The process is rather easy and hustle-free, follow the following easy step and it will be as easy as a walk in the park.
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The first step is to make a claim
Applicants for the PIP claim the first step is to lodge for their payment through the government website. Applicants can also call through the pip telephone number and inquire for further help. They encourage inquiries from Northern Ireland applicants.
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Eligibility Check
The next step is undertaken by the personal independence payment governing office. They need to qualify the PIP claim applicants and send follow up forms for the applicants to fill. These forms are very important and require the applicants to prove and show that they have difficulty performing daily activities. The applicants should be very detail-oriented and provide accurate information to help with their claims.
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Department for works and pension (DWP) follows up with a review form
Following the submission of the eligibility form, the department for works and pensions goes through the application and decide if they need a medical examination. DWP has the authority to contact the department of social work or health work to help determine the applicant’s eligibility. In cases that the DWP requires a medical examination, they require the applicants to present themselves to an independent medical professional for an assessment. The assessment provides the DWP with necessary information regarding the extent of help required. For more information you can simply contact pip department and discuss with them if you have any questions.
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Applicant’s claim decision
Following the medical assessment, the DWP decides the grant the PIP claim applicant is entitled to.
The amount and the length of time an applicant can claim are not known before-hand since the DWP conducts regular reviews and assessments and have the final decision. PIP claims are made up of two allowances that help in mobility and living allowances. The allowances are payable every month for people living with disabilities and on a weekly basis for terminally ill people.
