Thousands of Benefits Claimants to Receive £749 Payment Today
A significant number of benefits claimants will be waking up to an unexpected payment of £749 from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) today, as reported by the Express. The payment is being made to Personal Independence Payments (PIP) claimants whose usual payment date would have been Monday, May 26, a Bank Holiday.
The DWP typically makes PIP payments every four weeks, with the exact date depending on factors such as the date the claim was started and the individual’s National Insurance number. However, due to the Bank Holiday on Monday, payments that would have been made on that day are being brought forward to today, Friday, May 23. As a result, many PIP claimants will receive a payment of up to £749.80 in their bank account today.
According to the Express, despite planned changes to PIP eligibility, the DWP continues to offer payments for PIP as usual. In April, the 4-weekly payments increased by 1.7% for inflation, meaning that someone claiming both parts of PIP at the enhanced rate could receive as much as £749.80 every four weeks. The monthly amount is slightly higher (£817), but PIP is paid 13 times a year, every four weeks, resulting in an individual payment of £749.80 maximum.
The Express reports that eligibility for PIP depends on an assessment, and having one of the 27 NHS recognised conditions listed does not guarantee a claim, but it can increase the chances of qualifying for some level of PIP. To be eligible, individuals must have a health condition or disability that has caused problems with daily living or getting around (or both) for three months, and the problems must be expected to continue for at least another nine months. Additionally, claimants must stay in the UK.
The 27 conditions that could qualify individuals for PIP, as reported by the Express, include:
- Sleep apnoea – obstructive
- Upper respiratory tract – other diseases of/type not known
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
- Chronic bronchitis
- Cystic fibrosis
- Emphysema
- Empyema
- Epilepsy
- Bronchiectasis
- Asthma
- Asbestosis
- Extrinsic allergic alveolitis
- Fibrosing alveolitis
- Sarcoidosis
- Silicosis
- Granulomatous lung disease
- Pulmonary infiltration
- Pulmonary fibrosis – other/type not known
- Pneumoconiosis
- Pulmonary fibrosis
- Pleura
- Pleural effusion
- Pneumothorax
- Pulmonary embolus
- Pneumonia
- Lung transplantation
- Heart and lung transplantation
The PIP payments consist of two elements for living and two for mobility, with the following rates in place from April, as reported by the Express:
- Standard rate for daily living: £73.90 per week
- Enhanced rate for daily living: £110.40 per week
- Standard rate for mobility: £29.20 per week
- Enhanced rate for mobility: £77.05 per week
As reported by the Express, individuals with a health condition or disability that affects their daily life could see benefits totalling a maximum of £110.40 a week for daily living costs and £77.05 a week for mobility costs. While having one of the listed conditions can increase the chances of qualifying for PIP, it is essential to note that eligibility depends on an individual assessment.
The Express reports that the DWP’s PIP payments aim to provide financial support to individuals with health conditions or disabilities that impact their daily lives. As the payments are made today, many claimants will receive a significant injection of cash to help with living and mobility costs.
For more information on PIP eligibility and claims, individuals can visit the DWP website or contact a benefits advisor.
Source: Express
