Latest news with #PersonalIndependencePayment
North Wales Live
14 hours ago
- Health
- North Wales Live
DWP lists four groups of people most likely to retain PIP payment of £749
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has recently confirmed alterations to the Personal Independence Payment (PIP) from November 2026, affecting both new and existing claimants. Current claimants will only be affected by these changes at their next review, post the November implementation date. Recent figures revealed that over 1.5 million (41%) of all 3.7 million PIP claimants have received an award for five years or longer. As of the end of January, approximately 1,501,215 individuals in England, Wales, and overseas, are receiving ongoing awards for disabilities, long-term illnesses, or physical or mental health conditions. Over 58% of individuals claiming PIP for a visual disease receive a monthly award of up to £749 for five years or more. Over half of all claimants with general musculoskeletal conditions (50.8%), such as arthritis, muscle or joint pain, have been granted a longer award, along with 49.5% of people with a neurological condition like epilepsy, multiple sclerosis and muscular dystrophy. Those considering a new application for Personal Independence Payment (PIP) should note that awards can range from nine months to 10 years. The Department for Work and Pensions data indicates that some awards last 'five years or longer', according to the Daily Record. The latest PIP Handbook outlines that decision makers will assess Personal Independence Payment (PIP) awards considering the impact of a claimant's health condition or disability on their everyday life and autonomy. The handbook clarifies: "The length of award will be based upon each claimant's individual circumstances." Claimants should be aware that, as per DWP guidelines, most will face regular reviews of their PIP award "regardless of the length of the award" to ensure they receive the appropriate level of support. While some individuals might secure fixed-term awards for up to two years without subsequent reviews – typically in cases where an improvement in health is foreseeable – others may be granted ongoing awards with 'light touch' reviews. These 'light touch' reviews are designated for claimants who meet specific criteria, with the DWP stating: "These claimants would not usually be expected to have a face-to-face assessment at review." A 'light touch' review generally applies to those who have: very stable needs which are unlikely to change over time high level needs which will either stay the same or get worse a planned award review date due on or at State Pension age a special rules for end of life claim due when of State Pension age Current PIP and Adult Disability Payment (ADP) rates span from £29.20 to £187.45 weekly, which translates to between £116.80 and £749.80 every four weeks. Annually, recipients of the top-tier awards could see up to an extra £9,747. It is important to remember that the upper limit of £749.80 is predicated on someone receiving the highest possible amounts for both the daily living and mobility components of the benefit. It's crucial to note that people with various health conditions can receive PIP for five years or more, depending on how their condition affects them. The following conditions have the highest percentage of claimants receiving awards for five years or longer, as of January 2025's end: Visual disease 58,685 34,692 General Musculoskeletal disease 682,391 341,434 50.8% Neurological disease 468,113 230,412 Respiratory disease 138,376 64,835 Autoimmune disease (connective tissue disorders) 19,542 8,697 Regional Musculoskeletal disease 426,038 185,916 44.6% Total number of PIP claimants 3,694,536 1,501,215 41% Who could 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 If you've been having difficulties with daily living or mobility (or both) for three months and expect these challenges to continue for at least nine months, you might qualify for help. Usually, you need to have lived in the UK for at least two of the past three years and be in the country when you apply. In addition, if your condition necessitates or results in needing assistance with any of the following, you should consider applying for PIP or ADP: eating, drinking or preparing food washing, bathing, using the toilet, managing incontinence dressing and undressing talking, listening, reading and understanding managing your medicines or treatments making decisions about money mixing with other people working out a route and following it physically moving around leaving your home Different rules apply if you are terminally ill, which can be found on the website. The DWP will evaluate how you cope with daily living and mobility tasks. They will assess each task based on specific criteria. How are PIP and ADP paid out? PIP and ADP are typically paid every four weeks, unless you're terminally ill, in which case payments are made weekly. Payments are directly transferred into your bank, building society, or credit union account. ADP is paid at the same rates as PIP. An assessment is required to determine the level of financial assistance you'll receive, and your rate will be regularly reviewed to ensure you're receiving the appropriate support. Payments are made every four weeks. PIP consists of two components: Daily living Mobility The component(s) you receive and the amount depends on how severely your condition affects you. You will be paid the following amounts per week depending on your circumstances: Daily living Standard: £73.90 Enhanced: £110.40 Mobility Standard: £29.20 Enhanced: £77.05 How you are assessed An independent healthcare professional will assess you 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 note that the health professional and DWP decide which type of assessment is best suited for each claimant. You can find out more about DWP PIP assessments here. How do you make a claim for PIP? You can initiate a new claim by reaching out to the DWP, all the necessary information for application is available on the website.
Wales Online
16 hours ago
- Health
- Wales Online
DWP full list of PIP groups most likely to lose payments under new rules
DWP full list of PIP groups most likely to lose payments under new rules The DWP has now conducted analysis of PIP claimants who did not score four points in at least one daily living activity in 18 of the most common disabling conditions The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) predicts that changes to the eligibility rules for the daily living component of Personal Independence Payment (PIP) will lead to 370,000 current claimants losing their entitlement during the financial year 2029/30. The impact assessment, released in March, also forecasts that 430,000 future PIP claimants will not qualify for the disability benefit once the reforms are implemented, resulting in an average annual loss of £4,500 each. The DWP has carried out an analysis of PIP claimants who did not score four points in at least one daily living activity across 18 of the most prevalent disabling conditions. These conditions were selected as they represent the largest proportions of PIP caseloads. Minister for Social Security and Disability, Sir Stephen Timms, disclosed the findings of the analysis in a written response to Liberal Democrat MP Victoria Collins. Sir Timms stated: "A breakdown of the impact of the reforms on disability overall has been published as part of an Equality Analysis of the Spring Statement package of measures", reports the Daily Record. He added: "Data on the health conditions of Universal Credit claimants being placed in the LCWRA has been published and will continue to be taken into account in the future programme of analysis." The DWP Minister concluded: "Analysis of those who do not score four points in at least one daily living activity for Personal Independence Payment (PIP) has now been undertaken." He went on to explain that the table of findings "shows the volume of claimants with the 18 most common disabling conditions in receipt of the PIP daily living component in January 2025, as well as the volume and proportion of these claimants who were awarded less than four points in all 10 daily living activities." DWP analysis of current daily living awards The DWP's notes on this analysis clarify that the category for health conditions is determined by the primary health condition recorded on the PIP Computer System at the time of the latest assessment. While many claimants have more than one health condition, only the primary condition is used for analysis purposes. Provided below is a list detailing PIP health conditions alongside the number of recipients receiving the PIP daily living component, as well as those granted fewer than four points in all daily living activities as of the end of January 2025. Arthritis - 279,000 claimants, 13,000 (6%) scored less than 4 points. Other Regional Musculoskeletal Diseases - 136,000 claimants, 97,000 (71%) scored less than 4 points. Chronic Pain Syndromes - 173,000 claimants, 97,000 (71%) scored less than 4 points. Cardiovascular Diseases - 61,000 claimants, 38,000 (62%) scored less than 4 points. Respiratory Diseases - 83,000 claimants, 45,000 (55%) scored less than 4 points. Multiple Sclerosis and Neuropathic Diseases - 80,000 claimants, 38,000 (48%) scored less than 4 points. All Other Conditions - 272,000 claimants, 126,000 (46%) scored less than 4 points. Other Neurological Diseases - 97,000 claimants,35,000 (36%) scored less than 4 points. Cerebrovascular Diseases - 56,000 claimants, 19,000 (34%) scored less than 4 points. Cancer - 70,000 claimants, 23,000 (33%) scored less than 4 points. Epilepsy - 36,000 claimants, 11,000 (30%) scored less than 4 points. Other Psychiatric Disorders - 90,000 claimants, 25,000 (28%) scored less than 4 points. Cerebral Palsy and Neurological Muscular Diseases - 47,000 claimants, 11,000 (24%) scored less than 4 points. Psychotic Disorders - 112,000 claimants, 26,000 (23%) scored less than 4 points. ADHD / ADD - 75,000 claimants, 14,000 (19%) scored less than 4 points. Autistic Spectrum Disorders - 206,000 claimants, 13,000 (6%) scored less than 4 points. Learning Disabilities - 188,000claimants, 7,000 (3%) scored less than 4 points. Other disabling condition groups which cover smaller proportions of the PIP caseload are covered in the 'Other Conditions' category. This includes: Visual Diseases Other General Musculoskeletal Diseases Endocrine Diseases Hearing Disorders Gastrointestinal Diseases Genitourinary Diseases Skin Diseases Autoimmune Diseases (Connective Tissue Disorders) Infectious Diseases Diseases of the Liver, Gallbladder or Biliary Tract Haematological Diseases Metabolic Diseases Multisystem and Extremes of Age Diseases of the Immune System Anxiety and Depression Anxiety disorders - Other / type not known Post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) Stress reaction disorders - Other / type not known Generalised anxiety disorder Phobia - Specific Phobia - Social Agoraphobia Panic disorder Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) Anxiety and depressive disorders - mixed Conversion disorder (hysteria) Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) Dissociative disorders - Other / type not known Somatoform disorders - Other / type not known Depressive disorder Bipolar affective disorder (Hypomania / Mania) Mood disorders - Other / type not known Daily living component for PIP You might get the daily living component of PIP if you need help with: eating, drinking or preparing food washing, bathing, using the toilet, managing incontinence dressing and undressing talking, listening, reading and understanding managing your medicines or treatments making decisions about money mixing with other people How difficulty with tasks is assessed The DWP will assess how difficult you find daily living and mobility tasks. For each task, the DWP 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 The descriptors Your ability to carry out each activity is measured against a list of standard statements describing what you can or cannot do. These are known as the descriptors. The health professional will advise the DWP which descriptor applies to you for each activity. The Citizen's Advice website has a whole section dedicated to this along with a downloadable guide to all the points awarded for each response - you can view this here. An example they use is there are six descriptors for 'Dressing and undressing', ranging from 'Can dress and undress unaided' to 'Cannot dress or undress at all'. Each descriptor carries a points score ranging from 0 to 12. Using aids or appliances Your ability to carry out the daily living activities and the mobility activities will be assessed as if you were wearing or using any aids or appliances it would be reasonable for you to use. This applies whether or not you normally use those aids or appliances. However, if you use or need aids and appliances, this can help you to score more points - find out more here. Citizens Advice explains: 'An aid is any item which improves, provides or replaces impaired physical or mental function. It doesn't have to be specially designed as a disability aid. Examples include a stool you need to sit on when cooking, or a walking stick to help you stand.' Daily living scores Citizens Advice explains to get the daily living component of PIP, you must have a physical or mental condition that limits your ability to carry out some or all of the activities below. The maximum amount of PIP points that can be awarded for that question are shown. Daily living activity: Preparing food - 8 Taking medication - 10 Managing therapy or monitoring a health condition - 8 Washing and bathing - 8 Managing toilet needs or incontinence - 8 Dressing and undressing - 8 Communicating verbally - 12 Reading and understanding symbols and words - 8 Engaging with other people face to face - 8 Making budgeting decisions - 6 Points and payment rates After answering all the daily living activity questions: If you get between 8 and 11 points in total - you will be awarded the standard rate of PIP If you get at least 12 points in total - you will be awarded the enhanced rate of PIP After answering all the mobility activity questions: If you get between 8 and 11 points in total - you will be awarded the standard rate of PIP If you get at least 12 points in total - you will be awarded the enhanced rate of PIP The latest DWP figures show that at the end of January there were 3.7 million PIP claimants across Great Britain. Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall has previously said more than 1,000 PIP claims are being awarded per day, making the argument for welfare reforms to ensure the system is sustainable for the future. The proposed changes will come into force in November 2026, subject to parliamentary approval. Reforms also include increasing the number of face-to-face assessments. At present, most are being conducted remotely over the phone, by video call, or paper-based. However, there will be no freeze on PIP payments, which will continue to be non-means-tested, and rise in-line with the September inflation rate. There will be no changes to the mobility component. Article continues below You can complete the UK Government's consultation on proposed changes to PIP and the benefits system on here.
The Herald Scotland
2 days ago
- Business
- The Herald Scotland
Scotland's Budget hit by £851m tax gap and welfare bill
Total funding for 2025–26 is forecast at £59.6 billion, up almost £800 million on the SFC's previous projection in December 2024, largely due to increased UK Government funding. Of that, £52.2 billion is allocated for resource funding — the part of the Budget that covers day-to-day spending such as health, education and benefits — rising to £61.6 billion by 2030–31. However, after accounting for inflation, the real-terms growth in resource funding is just 7% over the next five years. Once rising social security spending is included, real-terms growth for all other areas of the Budget drops to just 5%. The Commission noted that Scotland is forecast to spend £1.3 billion more on devolved social security than it receives in UK funding in 2025–26, with that gap widening to around £2.2 billion by the end of the forecast period. This structural pressure is driven by both Scottish Government policies and UK Government welfare reforms. A key factor is the Scottish Government's decision to mitigate the two-child limit in Universal Credit, a policy expected to cost £156 million in 2026–27 and rise to £199 million by 2029–30. Meanwhile, UK Government plans to reduce spending on Personal Independence Payment in England and Wales will reduce the block grant to Scotland, cutting £400 million from Scottish social security funding by 2029–30. Spending on devolved social security benefits is expected to increase from £6.9 billion in 2025–26 to £9.4 billion in 2030–31. Of that £2.5 billion rise, £1.0 billion is attributed to annual inflation-linked uprating of payments and £1.3 billion to increasing caseloads, particularly for disability and carers' benefits. Beyond welfare, the SFC warns of 'major and immediate pressures' on the Budget from public sector pay and workforce costs. Many 2025–26 pay deals — including a 4.25% increase for NHS staff and 3.6% for ScotRail workers — exceed the Scottish Government's public sector pay policy cap of 3%. Additional pressure is being created by increased employer National Insurance contributions, which the UK Treasury is only partially funding. The cost to Scotland's devolved workforce is estimated at £535–725 million, while only £339 million in compensation has been provided through the block grant. The Commission also highlighted risks from unfunded political commitments, such as the permanent removal of peak-time ScotRail fares. Due to take effect from September 2025, the policy was not costed in the 2025–26 Budget but is expected to cost around £40 million a year, with at least £20 million needed this year. Ministers have yet to set out how they will pay for it. Meanwhile, capital funding — used for infrastructure and investment — is forecast to decline in real terms over the final three years of the outlook. Although it rises to £7.4 billion in 2025–26, partly due to £341 million from ScotWind revenues, real-terms reductions are expected from 2027–28 onwards, with the government's borrowing for capital projects assumed to remain fixed at £300 million a year. Perhaps the most serious risk identified in the report is a projected reconciliation shortfall of £851 million in 2027–28, related to income tax revenues for 2024–25. When the Scottish Government sets its Budget, it uses forecasts to estimate income tax revenues. The actual figures are not confirmed until HMRC completes its processing of returns around two years later. If the actual tax collected is lower than forecast, the Budget must be adjusted downward — a process known as a reconciliation adjustment. The shortfall for 2024–25 has ballooned to £851 million, up from a £701 million estimate in December. The Commission attributes this to the Office for Budget Responsibility revising up its forecasts for earnings growth in the rest of the UK — which increases the Block Grant Adjustment used to calculate Scotland's net tax position — while Scottish income tax revenue projections have remained broadly unchanged. That mismatch is expected to exceed the Scottish Government's borrowing capacity in 2027–28, meaning even if ministers borrow the maximum permitted, they may still face a funding gap. While Scotland's tax position is forecast to improve again from 2026–27, that depends on Scottish earnings growing faster than in the UK — a scenario the SFC describes as a 'downside risk'. The report also notes an 'economic performance gap' in the Income Tax net position — the difference between what Scotland actually raises and what it could theoretically raise if earnings and employment matched the UK average. For 2025–26, this gap is £1.06 billion and has widened since the December 2024 forecast. Total devolved tax revenues are expected to reach £24.7 billion in 2025–26, up slightly from previous projections. The net Income Tax position — the amount added to the Budget once the Block Grant Adjustment is subtracted — remains positive, but has been revised down by around £180 million a year. The Fiscal Commission cautioned that many of its forecasts may shift again following the UK Government's Spending Review on 11 June, which will set departmental budgets in devolved areas. If more funding is directed towards defence and other reserved matters, Scotland's share of future UK spending may be reduced. The SFC will publish an update to its forecasts alongside the Scottish Government's delayed Medium-Term Financial Strategy in late June, followed by a full fiscal update in August.
Daily Mirror
2 days ago
- Business
- Daily Mirror
New DWP PIP plans will include changes for 'light touch' awards
The Minister for Social Security and Disability has given an update The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) are reforming the rules for Personal Independence Payment (PIP), including changes to "light touch" awards, which currently are reviewed every ten years. Sir Stephen Timms, the Minister for Social Security and Disability, has been vocal about the new Green Paper's vision to "plans to consider changes to improve the experience for people who receive these ongoing awards in PIP". He added that this would include improving the information DWP provides when issuing an ongoing PIP award, support available to claimants between reviews, and 'reviewing the length of time between 'light touch' reviews'. The Minister's comments came after enquiries from Liberal Democrat MP Ian Roome who recently asked about adjustments DWP is considering for "PIP reassessments for claimants suffering from longer-term degenerative conditions". In a written response, Sir Stephen said: "Award reviews are an important feature of Personal Independence Payment to ensure people receive the correct level of benefit, both for those whose needs will increase and those whose needs may decrease." 'People who receive the highest level of PIP and whose needs will not improve, receive a PIP award for a continuous period with a light touch review at the 10-year point. 'In the Green Paper Pathways to Work: Reforming Benefits and Support to Get Britain Working published on 18 March we outline plans to consider changes to improve the experience for people who receive these ongoing awards in PIP. 'These include improving the information we provide when we write to people about ongoing PIP award decisions, what support is offered between 'light touch' reviews and reviewing the length of time between 'light touch' reviews.' The planned welfare reforms are due to come into effect in November 2026 for new claimants. Existing claimants would not see any changes until their current award is due for review - the date of this can be found on your award letter. As it stands, DWP figures from January show some 3.7 million people across Great Britain receiving PIP, which now amounts to as much as £749.80 every four weeks after the annual increase this April. Of these, 1.5 million claimants have secured an ongoing PIP award for at least five years due to disabilities or chronic health issues. A significant 58% of PIP recipients with visual impairments are granted up to £749.80 monthly for a duration of five years or more. Over half of the individuals with general musculoskeletal conditions (50.8%) like arthritis, muscle or joint pain have received extended PIP awards, and so have 49.5% of those with neurological issues such as epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, and muscular dystrophy. According to the latest PIP Handbook, the decision maker will determine PIP awards based on how the claimant's health condition or disability affects their everyday life and independence. The handbook notes: "The length of award will be based upon each claimant's individual circumstances." It's crucial to note that DWP guidance also mentions that most awards will be subject to regular reviews "regardless of the length of the award" to ensure "everyone continues to receive the most appropriate level of support". Some individuals may receive a fixed-term award for up to two years - these are not reviewed by the DWP. These non-reviewable limited term awards are given when it's expected that the claimant's health might reasonably improve. Ongoing awards come with a 'light touch' review process A 'light touch' review is generally granted to claimants who have: very stable needs which are unlikely to change over time high level needs which will either stay the same or get worse a planned award review date due on or at State Pension age a special rules for end of life claim due when of State Pension age DWP guidance clarifies: "These claimants would not usually be expected to have a face-to-face assessment at review." The annual increase of 1.7 per cent will see individuals on disability benefits pocket between £29.20 and £187.45 weekly, equating to roughly £116.80 or £749.80 every four weeks. Over the fiscal year, those on the highest awards can expect an additional £9,747 in financial aid. The maximum sum of £749.80 is calculated for someone receiving the top award for both daily living and mobility components. Six conditions with PIP award of five years or longer People with varying health conditions can be granted PIP for up to five years or more. The award is determined by how the condition impacts the claimant. The conditions listed below have the highest percentage rate of five-year or longer awards given to claimants as of the end of January 2025: Visual disease Total number 58,685 5 year PIP award 34,692 Percentage 59% Musculoskeletal disease (general) Total number 682,391 5 year PIP award 341,434 Percentage 50.8% Neurological disease Total number 468,113 5 year PIP award 230,412 Percentage 49% Respiratory disease Total number 138,376 5 year PIP award 64,835 Percentage 47% Autoimmune disease (connective tissue disorders) Total number 19,542 5 year PIP award 8,697 Percentage 45% Musculoskeletal disease (regional) Total number 426,038 5 year PIP award 185,916 Percentage 43.6% PIP payment rates You will be paid the following amounts per week (paid every four weeks in arrears) - depending on your award: Daily living Standard: £73.90 Enhanced: £110.40 Article continues below Mobility Standard: £29.20 Enhanced: £77.05
The National
3 days ago
- Business
- The National
FOI reveals Anas Sarwar didn't raise welfare cuts with Rachel Reeves
On March 26, the Chancellor delivered her Spring Statement and announced a £5 billion package of welfare cuts, with a huge number of people now set to be denied the Personal Independence Payment (PIP). Charities and health experts have since warned the cuts could risk lives, as the UK Government's own analysis indicates that an extra 250,000 people could be living in relative poverty by 2029-30 as a result – including 50,000 children. But an FOI submitted by the SNP, which asked for any correspondence to Reeves from Sarwar and his frontbench spokesperson Paul O'Kane between March 1 and April 15 this year, received this response: 'We can confirm that the HM Treasury does not hold information within the scope of your request.' READ MORE: 'That shouldn't be happening': Inside a chaotic Hamilton by-election hustings Scores of Labour politicians have made clear their opposition to the plans over the past few months, including Manchester mayor Andy Burnham who has said "it feels like the wrong choice". Scottish Labour leader Sarwar, meanwhile, has defended the cuts publicly, saying the impact assessment only considered the benefits changes, not a "package of measures" announced by the UK Government which could help tackle poverty. SNP MSP Collette Stevenson said the FOI revealed that Sarwar 'will always stand up for the Prime Minister rather than stand up for vulnerable households in Scotland'. She added: 'From adopting harmful Tory policies to copying Tory austerity, the priorities and values of this Labour Party are completely out of sync with those of the people of Scotland. 'However, it seems that Scottish Labour are on the same page as their Westminster bosses; content to stay silent while hundreds of thousands of families have critical support taken away by Rachel Reeves (above). 'Yet again, Anas Sarwar has shown he will always stand up for the Prime Minister rather than stand up for vulnerable households in Scotland. 'The SNP is taking action to ensure that Scotland remains the only party in the UK where rates of child poverty are falling, including providing support through the Scottish Child Payment and working towards abolishing Labour's two-child cap. 'But Labour's choices at Westminster are holding back Scotland's progress, and senior figures in Scottish Labour have nothing to say about it. 'While Anas Sarwar looks for his missing backbone, the SNP is putting Scotland first - and standing up to the cruel policies of the UK Labour Government." Scottish Labour have been approached for comment.
