Are you eligible to claim a PIP cost-of-living boost?

As living costs remain high, many people are analysing their finances to work out how they can make ends meet.

Help is at hand for some thanks to the personal independence payment (PIP), which is financial support that could amount to £184.30 a week.

But what exactly is PIP, and who can make a claim?

What is the PIP allowance? 

PIP is a lifeline for millions who are living with long-term physical or mental health conditions or disabilities.

It provides wide-ranging financial support for help with everyday tasks at home to help with getting out and about or even managing your finances. If you need a helping hand, it’s worth finding out if you are eligible for PIP.  

Previously known as the Disability Living Allowance (DLA), you are still eligible to claim PIP if you’re in work, have savings or are on most benefits (including Employment and Support Allowance). 

If you already receive PIP, the good news is that you could be due a cost-of-living payment, and we’ll provide more information on that further on in this article.   

How does PIP work? 

There are two parts to PIP. If you need help with daily life, for example, making meals, washing, managing your finances, or even talking to professionals at your bank or hospital, you can claim what’s known as a daily living component.

If you need help moving around, whether locally or further afield, you can claim for the mobility component.

It’s important to note this component isn’t just for people with physical health problems or disabilities — people with mental health conditions can apply for this component, too.  

How much is the PIP payment? 

How much you’ll receive depends on how much of a challenge you find each of the two components outlined above (daily living and mobility), with each component paid at a standard and enhanced rate.

The standard weekly payment for daily living is £72.65 a week, and the enhanced payment is £108.55 a week. For people claiming the mobility payment, the standard weekly payment is £28.70, and the enhanced payment is £75.75.

To decide whether you should receive the standard or enhanced rate, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) conducts a PIP test, with your final score determining how much money you should get.

The DWP uses the information in your PIP application to work out your score, so it’s important these forms are filled out as fully and accurately as possible. 

Who can apply for PIP? 

To apply for PIP, you need to be below State Pension age and over 16.

As mentioned above, you need to have been living with a physical or mental health condition or disability that has impacted your life for at least three months, and which is expected to impact your life for at least a further nine months.   

It’s worth noting that if you — or a close family member — are in the armed forces, you’re not required to be resident in England, Wales or Scotland at the time of your PIP claim.  

How do I claim PIP? 

To begin your claim, contact the DWP on their PIP new claims phone line (0800 917 2222).

All the information you need to get in touch can be found on their Personal Independence Payment web page. You’ll need to complete their PIP1 form, which you can do over the phone.  

When you call, make sure you have the following information to hand: 

• Your contact details — e.g. address, phone number, and email address if you have one
• Your date of birth
• Your bank details
• Your National Insurance number
• Contact details for your doctor or health worker
• Dates and addresses for any care homes or hospitals you’ve been admitted to
• If you’ve spent more than four weeks abroad, details of the countries you visited and for how long  

Once the DWP has received your application, you should receive a form with questions about your condition.

The information you provide will help the DWP decide not only whether your claim is successful but also whether you will be entitled to receive the standard or enhanced rate of financial support.

It’s vital to take your time and provide as much information as possible. In some cases, the DWP will want to know more about your situation, so you may be asked to undergo an assessment.

You can make a postal application to the DWP, but your claim will take longer to process than if you claim online.

How long will my PIP claim take? 

If the DWP decides you’re eligible for PIP, the money should arrive within six months of when you first got in touch — and this payment will cover the period after you first made your claim — be aware, however, that PIP payments won’t be backdated beyond the start of your claim. 

If you have a terminal illness, then your application will be fast-tracked, and your PIP payment should be issued automatically.  

If you're claim is rejected, you can learn more about the mandatory reconsideration process here.

Cost-of-living payment - what other benefits could you be entitled to?

During the cost-of-living crisis, you could also have been entitled to a cost-of-living boost of up to £1,350 to help with energy bills.

If you were on the following benefits, you could have been eligible for a top-up (also called a premium).

• Housing benefit
• Jobseeker’s allowance
• Income support
• Working tax credit
• Employment and support allowance (only if you get the PIP daily living component)
• Pension credit (only if you get the PIP daily living component)

Even if you received the enhanced rate of PIP, you would still have been eligible for this extra help.

Approximately eight million families received a £900 cost-of-living payment, distributed in three instalments, with the final one paid between 6 and 22 February 2024.

Currently, there are no plans from the new Labour government to reintroduce these payments.

Get expert financial advice

While there is no PIP cost-of-living boost available, understanding the existing support options and eligibility criteria for PIP can still be invaluable.

If you are already receiving PIP or considering applying, ensure you explore all avenues for financial assistance and stay informed about any future changes in government support policies.

Properly navigating these resources can help manage the financial pressures of the current environment.