Latest news with #PersonalIndependence
Daily Mirror
17-07-2025
- Business
- Daily Mirror
DWP says it will review Universal Credit, PIP and other benefit claims
DWP has published a new report The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has published its latest 'Fraud and error in the benefit system' report, detailing the estimated mispayments for the financial year 2024/25 through overpayments or underpayments. It has emerged that claimants were overpaid by an eye-watering £9.5 billion, which is 3.3 per cent of the total benefits expenditure. This figure has seen a slight dip from the previous year's £9.7 billion, or 3.6 per cent. Meanwhile, the rate of benefit underpayments has stubbornly remained static at £1.2 billion, or 0.4 per cent. Eligibility for DWP benefits hinges on meeting specific criteria, with the amount received varying according to individual circumstances, as reported by the Daily Record. The DWP said: "Sometimes people tell us the wrong information or do not tell us when their circumstances change. Reporting accurate information and providing evidence may change the amount of benefit people are eligible for and in some circumstances, they may be eligible for more money. "However, we cannot calculate the correct amount unless people tell us accurately about their circumstances. This means that people are not eligible for increases in the amount of money they receive until we have the correct information." DWP fraud and error review for the 2025/26 financial year The DWP has confirmed that it will be assessing sample cases from six benefits for 'unfulfilled eligibility' throughout the current financial year. These include: Universal Credit Housing Benefit (pension age, both passported and non-passported cases) Pension Credit State Pension Personal Independence Payment Disability Living Allowance for children Definitions of Fraud, Claimant Error and Official Error Fraud Claims where all three of the following conditions are met: the conditions for receipt of benefit, or the rate of benefit in payment, are not being met the claimant can reasonably be expected to be aware of the effect on their entitlement benefit payment stops or reduces as a result of the claim review Claimant Error (unfulfilled eligibility) An overpayment has occurred when the claimant has provided inaccurate or incomplete information, or failed to report a change in their circumstances, but there is no evidence of fraudulent intent on the part of the claimant. Official Error The benefit has been incorrectly paid due to a failure to act, a delay or an incorrect assessment by the DWP, a local authority or HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC), to which no one outside of that department has significantly contributed. The DWP report also emphasised that total spending on benefits rose from £266.2bn in 2023/24 to £292.2bn last year. This was an increase of £26.0bn (9.8%) which was primarily due to: State Pension - spending increasing from £123.9bn to £142.0bn Universal Credit spending increasing from £51.9bn to £65.3bn Personal Independence Payment (PIP) spending increasing from £21.6bn to £25.8bn However, the DWP stated that these increases are partially offset by a reduction of £10.2bn (100.0%) in Cost of Living Payments expenditure. The DWP plans to publish the findings for 2025/26 in May of next year.
Wales Online
18-06-2025
- Business
- Wales Online
DWP says £441 per month available to people with 87 different medical conditions
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Get the latest Wales Online breaking news on WhatsApp The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is encouraging individuals to check their eligibility for a regular support payment of up to £110 per week, or £441 per month. Personal Independence Payment (PIP) is intended to assist those living with long-term physical or mental health conditions, disabilities, or learning difficulties. It aids those who require assistance with daily living tasks, particularly individuals of State Pension age who wish to maintain their independence at home. PIP is a non-means-tested, tax-free benefit that will pay either £73.90 or £110.40 per week during the 2025/26 financial year, depending on the level of support required. On 7 April 2025, these rates were increased by 1.7% in line with inflation, with the aim of helping households manage rising living costs. Payments are typically made every four weeks, meaning eligible claimants will receive either £295.60 or £441.60 per pay period. Over the course of the year, this amounts to a maximum of £5,740.80, reports Wales Online. Earlier this year, the DWP announced proposed changes to PIP that are expected to come into effect from November 2026, impacting both new and existing claimants. Under the new rules, thousands of people are expected to lose their entitlement to PIP - a decision that has drawn widespread criticism. Here's everything you need to know about PIP, including who qualifies and the health conditions that make you eligible. What are personal independence payments (PIP)? Personal Independence Payments (PIP) are benefits given to individuals with long-term illnesses, mental health conditions, or physical or learning disabilities. The payments are typically made every four weeks. The eligibility for Personal Independence Payment (PIP) is not based on National Insurance contributions and it's not means-tested. This means that you can still qualify even if you're employed, have savings, or are receiving other benefits. PIP is comprised of two components – a daily living rate and a mobility rate – and you could be eligible for one or both simultaneously. Both these rates provide a standard rate and an enhanced rate. This benefit is tax-free and the amount you receive is not affected by your income or savings. What is the value of PIP? Here are the new weekly rates, but it's important to note that PIP is paid every four weeks: Daily living component: £73.90 (lower weekly rate) £110.40 (higher weekly rate). Mobility component: £29.20 (lower weekly rate) £77.05 (higher weekly rate). These rates mean that if, for example, you qualify for both the enhanced daily living and enhanced mobility components of the payments, you will receive a total of £749.80 every four weeks. If you qualify for both the standard daily living and standard mobility components, you will receive £412.40 every four weeks. Which medical conditions make you eligible for PIP? As reported by the Daily Record, there are 87 musculoskeletal conditions that qualify for Personal Independence Payment (PIP) support. This aid can assist with daily living, mobility needs or a combination of both. It's crucial to remember that this list is not exhaustive, so if your condition does not appear, don't be deterred from making a claim. The award for PIP is based on how the condition affects you, not the condition itself. Here is the complete list: Osteoarthritis of Hip. Osteoarthritis of Knee. Osteoarthritis of other single joint. Primary generalised Osteoarthritis. Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). Fibromyalgia. Pain syndromes - Chronic - Other / type not known. Ankylosing spondylitis. Arthritis - Psoriatic. Arthritis - Reactive. Inflammatory arthritis - Other / type not known. Juvenile chronic arthritis (Still's disease). Rheumatoid arthritis. Crystal deposition disorders - Other / type not known. Gout. Pseudogout. Osteochondritis. Osteonecrosis. Osteomalacia. Osteoporosis. Other metabolic and endocrine disorders of musculoskeletal system. Paget's disease. Rickets. Achondroplasia. Epiphyseal dysplasia - multiple. Genetic disorders, dysplasias and malformations - Other / type not known. Hereditary multiple exostosis (diaphyseal aclasis). Hypermobility syndrome. Marfan's syndrome. Osteogenesis imperfecta. Tumours of bone - benign. Compartment syndrome (Volkmann's ischaemia). Fracture complications - Other / type not known. Sudek's atrophy. Generalised musculoskeletal disease - Other / type not known. Adhesive capsulitis (frozen shoulder). Rotator cuff disorder. Shoulder disorders - Other / type not known. Shoulder instability. Elbow disorders - Other / type not known. Golfers elbow (medial epicondylitis). Tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis). Carpal tunnel syndrome. Dupuytren's contracture. Tendon lesions. Tenosynovitis. Wrist and hand disorders - Other / type not known. Cervical disc lesion. Cervical spondylosis. Neck disorders - Other / type not known. Whiplash injury. Back pain - Non specific (mechanical). Back pain - Specific - Other / type not known. Kyphosis. Lumbar disc lesion. Lumbar spondylosis (OA spine). Schuermann's disease. Scoliosis. Spinal stenosis. Spondylolisthesis. Dislocation of the hip - congenital. Hip disorders - Other / type not known. Perthes disease. Slipped upper femoral epiphysis. Bursitis. Chondromalacia patellae. Knee disorders - Other / type not known. Ligamentous instability of knee. Meniscal lesions. Osgood schlatters disease. Osteochondritis dissecans. Patellar dislocation - Recurrent. Ankle and foot disorders - Other / type not known. Club foot (talipes). Fore foot pain (Metatarsalgia). Hallux valgus /rigidus. Amputation - Lower limb(s). Amputation - Upper limb(s). Amputations - Upper and Lower limb/s. Abdomen - Injuries/Fracture/Dislocation of. Lower limb - Injuries/Fracture/Dislocation of. Multiple - Injuries/Fracture/Dislocation. Pelvis - Injuries/Fracture/Dislocation of. Spine - Injuries/Fracture/Dislocation of. Thorax - Injury/Fracture/Dislocation of. Upper limb - Injury/Fracture/Dislocation of. Musculoskeletal disease - Regional / Localised - Other / type not known. How do I apply for PIP? To be eligible for the benefit, you'll need to undergo an assessment by an independent healthcare professional. This will help the DWP determine the level of assistance you require. The assessments can take place face-to-face, via video call, over the phone, or through paper-based evaluations. The method of assessment is determined by the DWP and you won't have a say in this. For more information on PIP click here. Sign up for the North Wales Live newsletter sent twice daily to your inbox Find out what's happening near you
Yahoo
19-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Martin Lewis warns Labour £5bn benefits cuts are ‘fraught with challenges'
Money expert Martin Lewis has shared his initial analysis of Labour's newly announced changes to the welfare system, calling them 'fraught with challenges'. The reforms were announced by work and pensions secretary on Tuesday, with the measures amounting to £5 billion in cuts to welfare. This was mostly concentrated on scaling back health and disability-related benefits as part of Labour's 'Pathways to Work' Green Paper. Writing on social media platform X in a rare intervention, Mr Lewis said: 'PIP (Personal Independence Payment) is often an individual's lifeline, the difference between an unsustainable life and a manageable one. The govt says those in 'genuine need' will be protected, yet that all boils down to matter of definition.' The changes to PIP are understood to form the bulk of the government's £5 billion in cuts, although this won't be clarified until Labour releases more costing details next week. Ms Kendall confirmed the eligibility for the the benefit – which is designed to help with costs incurred by health issues – will be effectively tightened, resulting in fewer claimants being found eligible. The Money Saving Expert founder has in the past expressed a reluctance to weigh in on politics, instead preferring to focus on financial advice. He added: 'Plus those whose mental health isn't good can struggle with administration, process and decision making and be panicked by assessment and review. While reducing assessments will help to that, how that new assessment is designed and structured is very important so it doesn't tip people further into the abyss.' However, the money expert also welcomed the announcement of a new 'right to try' scheme, calling it a 'long-needed positive.' This policy will see disabled benefit claimants able to retain their entitlement should they undertake employment that does not become long-term. Mr Lewis's ventures into politics have become more frequent in the first few months of 2025, as the financial guru appeared at a Treasury Committee about Lifetime ISAs just a few weeks ago to give his views on how they should change. On Wednesday, he will speak to the energy department about the practice of back-billing for energy costs. The government said the measures are designed to help more sick and disabled people into work. Ms Kendall said: 'There's clear evidence that shows good work is good for health and plays a vital role in recovery. Too many disabled people and people with health conditions want to work but are denied the right support to do so.' But many campaigners and charities have taken issue with the announcement. Early estimates have found that an estimated million people will lose their disability benefits, mostly targeted at those claiming PIP. The Disability Benefits Consortium, a coalition of over 100 charities, called the changes 'immoral and devastating' and called on the government to 'abandon these cruel cuts'.
Yahoo
30-01-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
A fatal act of 'protest' against those he believed were conspiring against him
A man went to a mental health facility asking for help days before he set himself on fire at a petrol station, an inquest has heard. Afolabi Ojerinde died at Wythenshawe Hospital following the horrific incident at an unstaffed Tesco petrol station in Blackley. Manchester Coroners' Court heard Mr Ojerinde suffered with a 'psychotic disorder' and held 'delusional beliefs' the government was interfering in his life. The inquest heard those beliefs were reinforced when his benefits were stopped and he was taken to court over rent arrears. Mr Ojerinde was working with the community mental health team at Hanson Corner in Middleton, the court heard. He went to the facility on August 31, and told staff his Personal Independence Payments (PIP) had been stopped. The following day, the team agreed to put him on a 'zoning' list of patients to be monitored more closely. His ongoing treatment was discussed at a meeting on September 5 - the day after Mr Ojerinde walked onto the Tesco station forecourt and set himself on fire. He suffered burns to 93 per cent of his body, the court heard. Area coroner Zak Golombeck said that during the incident, Mr Ojerinde appeared 'calm and measured'. He said Mr Ojerinde intended to 'self immolate'. Mr Golombeck said Mr Ojerinde's symptoms manifested in a 'conspiracy relating to government or state involvement in his life'. He added: "[He] attended Hanson Corner on August 31, 2023 and at that particular time had expressed concerns over some welfare benefits that he had not received, and as part of his delusional disorder or paranoid schizophrenia had concluded that this was as a result of government intervention in his life." The court previously heard from consultant psychiatrist Dr Deji Odelola, who said Mr Ojerinde told medical staff: "They will never take me down, I will never kill myself. Never." Dr Odelola suggested Mr Ojerinde may have intended to set himself on fire as a 'final act' against those he believed were conspiring against him. Giving evidence, the doctor added: "My understanding, I can only speculate, is that Mr Ojerinde had for many years fought against and was determined not to let them win. But at some point I suspect he got to a point where he felt 'I can't win, they won, nothing I do is going to make a difference'." Mr Golombeck, who recorded a narrative conclusion, said: "I find that he intended to set himself on fire. Most likely as an act of protest of what he perceived to be interference by the government or state." Mr Ojerinde's cause of of death was given as 'multiple organ failure due to major flame burn injury'. Mr Golombeck said the case did not meet the criteria to be recorded as suicide. He said he intended to write a Regulation 28 Prevent Future Deaths report highlighting his concerns around safety measures at unstaffed petrol stations.
