If you have chronic pain, you may be entitled to benefits worth €173 per week. Claim this one
IF you have been medically diagnosed as having chronic pain, you could be eligible for benefits worth up to £173 per week.
You could be entitled to a financial boost, whether it's for back pain, fibromyalgia or trigeminal neuralgia.
If you have any of these problems, you could be eligible for a Personal Independence Payment (PIP) every week.
Chronic pain can also affect people living with other long-term conditions, such as diabetes, arthritis and irritable bowel syndrome, who are also candidates for PIP.
PIP is a benefit paid to people with long-term physical or mental health conditions or disabilities.
The payment can increase your income by thousands of dollars per year, and you can qualify for it whether you work or not.
PIP consists of two elements: a daily living section if you need help with daily tasks, and a mobility section if you need help getting around.
But in total the payments can be up to £172.75 per week, so if you're not claiming it yet, check if you're eligible.
The DWP says that while there is no specific list of conditions that entitle people to PIP, the impact this has on your daily life could mean you qualify.
What is PIP?
Millions of people suffering from long-term health conditions or disabilities are receiving additional cash help through Personal Independence Payments (PIP).
You can get PIP even if you work, save or receive most others advantages.
The payments can be up to £172.75 per week, so if you haven't claimed this yet, check your eligibility.
PIP is available to people aged 16 or over, but no new claims can be made if you have reached state pension age.
The current state pension age is 66 years, but this is expected to rise to 68 years.
Crucially, you also have a health condition or disability where you have had difficulty with daily living or getting around (or both) for three months, and you expect these difficulties to continue for at least nine months (unless you are terminally ill) . with less than 12 months to live).
Problems with daily life may include:
- Preparing or eating food
- Washing, bathing and going to the toilet
- Dressing and undressing
- Read and communicate
- Managing your medications or treatments
- Making decisions about money
- Dealing with other people
You can apply for PIP at the same time as other benefits, except the Armed Forces Independence Allowance.
If you receive a constant healthcare allowance, you will receive less of the daily living expenses of PIP.
If you receive a mobility allowance for war pensioners, you will not receive the mobility part of PIP.
What are the current PIP rates?
PIP consists of two parts, and whether you receive one or both parts depends on how severely your condition affects you.
How much you get also depends on how your condition affects you.
You can get the mobility part of PIP if you need help getting out or moving. The weekly rate for this is £26.90 or £71.
Meanwhile, the weekly rate for the daily living part of PIP is £68.10 or £101.75 – and you can get both elements, so up to £172.75 in total.
Payments are typically deposited directly into your bank account every four weeks and are tax-free.
Benefits will increase by 6.7% from April, in line with the consumer price index (CPI) inflation level for September 2023.
It means those living in everyday PIP will see their payments rise to £72.65 or £108.55 per week.
Payments for the mobility part of Pip will increase at the same time in April to £28.70 or £75.75 per week.
We previously revealed the exact amount by which other benefits will rise in April, including Universal Credit and Pension Credit.
How do I apply for PIP?
You can make a new PIP claim by calling the Department for Work Pensions (DWP) on 0800 917 2222.
There are also other ways to claim if you find it difficult to use a phone. To see UK Government For more information.
If you make a claim you will need the following information:
- Your contact details
- Date of birth
- National insurance number
- Account number and sorting code of the bank or building society
- The name of your doctor or health professional
- Address and telephone number,
- Dates and addresses of the time you spent abroad, in a nursing home or hospital
Someone else can call on your behalf, but you must be present with them when they call.
You will then receive a form to complete, after which you will be invited for an assessment, or your healthcare provider or social worker will be asked for information.
You will then receive a letter stating whether your claim has been successful.
You can read about Citizens Advice's help in preparing an assessment guide on the website.
If you apply for PIP and are unsuccessful, you can appeal the decision.