Personal Independence Payment July 2013 Please note that this is an overview of PIP and the rules may change. More information is available from an advice agency or the websites at the end of this guide.

Introduction Personal Independence Payment(PIP) is a new benefit which will replace Disability Living Allowance(DLA) for working age claimants. Claimants currently getting DLA will have to apply for PIP under the new rules. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) estimates that once all DLA claims have been reassessed for PIP: 29% will have increased award 15% will remain unchanged 29% will have award decreased 26% will have no award at all

Similarities and Differences between PIP and DLA DLA PIP Non means tested, non Non means tested, non taxable and non contributory taxable and non contributory Can be claimed whether in or out of work

Can be claimed whether in or out of work

Care and mobility components

Daily living and mobility components

3 rates of care component 2 rates of mobility

2 rates of daily living 2 rates of mobility

Not based on points system Based on points system Special rules for terminal illness

Special rules for terminal illness

Access to Motability and blue badge

Access to Motability and blue badge

Some indefinite awards

Majority of awards time limited

Claimants awarded DLA Claimants awarded PIP before age 65 will keep DLA before age 65 can keep after 65 award after 65

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When will it affect me? From 8 April 2013 A trial of PIP is being carried out in the North East of England. This will only be for new claims from people living in that area. From 10 June 2013 All new claims from anyone age 16-64 will be for PIP rather than DLA From 7th October 2013 -Children turning 16 will have to claim PIP when they reach their 16th birthday. -People reporting a change of circumstances affecting the level of their DLA award will be reassessed for PIP -People with a fixed term award of DLA which expires after 24 February 2014 will start to be reassessed for PIP From October 2015 to March 2018 Working age DLA claimants with an indefinite award or an award which expires after October 2015 will have to make a claim for PIP

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What happens if I am currently getting DLA? • If you are already getting DLA you will get a letter from the Department of Work and Pensions telling you that you must make a claim for PIP. • You will then have 28 days to make a claim by telephone. You can ask for a paper form to be sent. • If no claim is made after 28 days your DLA will be suspended for 4 weeks (28 days) • If you have not made a claim for PIP at the end of the 4 week suspension your DLA will be stopped from the date of suspension • So you have 8 weeks in total to make a claim for PIP • Providing you have claimed PIP within 8 weeks of getting the letter your DLA will carry on until a PIP decision is made • Whether you have been awarded PIP or not the decision will take effect four weeks after your next DLA payday

How do I qualify for PIP? • You must be aged between 16 and 64 • Must have had daily living or mobility needs for 3 months when the claim is made and expect to have them for a further 9 months unless you are terminally ill • You must have lived in the UK for 2 out of the last 3 years and have the right to claim benefits

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How do I make a claim for PIP? • You will start your claim by telephoning the DWP on 0800 917 2222 • They will ask you for basic information about you • They will print this information and send it to you to check and sign and return to them • After that you will be sent a form to fill in describing how your disability affects your ability to look after yourself and your ability to undertake journeys and walk. • If you can, get advice with filling this form in – it is long and complicated • This form needs to be returned within a month • You should try to supply supporting medical and non medical information with the form • You are likely to have to attend a face to face assessment with a health care professional. • Someone from the DWP, called a Case Manager, will then consider all the evidence and award points for each activity.

How is PIP made up? There are two components of PIP: • Daily living component • Mobility component Each component has 2 rates: • Standard rate (8 points) • Enhanced rate (12 points)

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How much will I get? Current rates: Daily living standard rate £53 Daily living enhanced rate £79.15 Mobility standard rate £21 Mobility enhanced rate £55.25

How long will I be awarded PIP for? Awards will be for 2, 5 or 10 years. In exceptional circumstances awards may be for an indefinite period.

What else can I get if I am awarded PIP? • If you get 12 points from the mobility activities you will be able to get a Motability car. This will provide you with a fully insured and serviced car. You must have an award of PIP which lasts for at least 2 years. • If you get 12 points from the mobility activities you will not have to pay road tax for your car. • If you get 8 points from the mobility activities you will only have to pay half the road tax for your car. • If you get 8 points from the moving around activities you will be able to get a blue badge without having to fill in any further forms.

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How does PIP affect Carer’s Allowance? Carer’s Allowance is a non means tested, non contributory benefit payable to someone who is caring for a disabled person. It is taxable Who qualifies: • You must care for someone who gets PIP daily living component • You must care for them for at least 35 hours per week • You must be 16 or over and not in full time education • You must have lived in the UK for 2 out of the last 3 years and be allowed to claim UK benefits • You must not earn more than £100 per week

What is Carer’s Credit? If you don’t qualify for Carer’s Allowance but you are caring for someone for at least 20 hours per week you may qualify for Carer’s Credit. This means that you will have credits added to your National Insurance record which may help you to qualify for more State Retirement Pension when you reach retirement age. Who qualifies? • You must care for someone who gets PIP daily living component OR • You can get the application form signed by a health care professional stating that you are caring for someone who is disabled. • You must be aged 16-64 • You must care for someone for 20 hours per week

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What activities will be included in the PIP test? In order to qualify for PIP you will need to score sufficient points from a number of activities Daily Living Activities 1. Preparing food 2. Taking nutrition 3. Managing therapy or monitoring health condition 4. Washing and bathing 5. Managing toilet needs or incontinence 6. Dressing and undressing 7. Communicating verbally 8. Reading and understanding signs, symbols and words 9. Engaging with other people face to face 10. Making budgeting decisions Within each activity there is a scale of points you may be awarded. You can only score once for each activity but all your points will be added together to work out your total. You will need: 8 points for the standard rate 12 points for the enhanced rate Mobility Activities 1. Planning and following journeys 2. Moving around Within each of these activities there is a scale of points from 0-12. To qualify for the mobility component you need to score: 8

8 points for the standard rate 12 points for the enhanced rate

Will I have a Face to Face Assessment? The government has said that most people claiming PIP will have a face to face assessment. • Face to face assessments will be carried out by Atos in most parts of the UK • Most of the health care professionals doing the assessments will be physiotherapists • Face to face assessments will be held at different locations, although you can ask for a home visit. • You can take someone with you to help you at a face to face assessment • You are likely to be asked to describe a typical day as well as good days and bad days

What if I am not happy with my award? If you don’t agree with the decision on PIP you must ask the Department of Work and Pensions to carry out a reconsideration of their decision. They will try to phone you to discuss the decision. Once they have reconsidered the decision they will send you a Mandatory Reconsideration Notice. If you still don’t agree with the decision you can make an appeal to the Tribunals Service.

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Where can I get more information? There is lots of information about PIP on line. Some useful websites include: www.gov.uk/carers-credit/overview www.gov.uk/pip www.gov.uk/carers-allowance www.dwp.gov.uk/publications/specialist-guides/pip-toolkit You can find a breakdown of the points system on the factsheets from this toolkit www.carersuk.org www.adviceguide.org.uk The CAB public advice site. You can search for your nearest CAB www.justice.gov.uk Leaflet SSCS1A describes the new appeal system which applies to PIP www.benefitsandwork.co.uk A benefits advice website specialising in sickness and disability benefits. This is a membership website but some information and a newsletter are available to non members

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