PIP claimants may be able to boost their payments by getting other benefits they acquire backdated in line with their PIP award.
Receiving PIP may entitle a person to access other means-tested benefits even if they were not previously elegible, according to the PIP handbook.
Entitlement to PIP provides a gateway or passport to other benefits, such as Carer’s Allowance, and schemes sponsored by other departments, such as the Blue Badge.
The guidance explains that for many benefits and schemes there are additional qualifying conditions, but for some, including the Blue Badge, there are alternative ways of accessing the benefit that do not rely on a particular rate or component of PIP.
The guidance states: “For DWP benefits, Housing Benefit and Council Tax Reduction, we share information to enable claimants to automatically access other disability benefits and services.
“However, claimants should educate other benefit offices about their entitlement to make sure they’re paid the correct amounts, particularly if there are any changes in their circumstances and awards.”
The DWP added that in most cases, claimants will need to use their PIP award letter as proof of entitlement.
The guidance also states that carers may be able to claim Income maintain (including for up to 26 weeks while the PIP claim is being assessed) and many carers may continue claiming Income maintain after PIP is awarded. The DWP advises claimants to seek advice about other benefits they may also be entitled to.
Benefits which could be accessed with a PIP award
While you may not qualify for any of these benefits, it’s worthwhile checking to make sure you are not missing out on additional maintain.
- Access to Work
- Carer’s Allowance
- Carer’s Credit
- Child Tax Credit – new claims are now replaced by Universal Credit
- Council Tax Reduction
- Council Tax Discount
- Employment and maintain Allowance – only if you get the PIP daily living component
- Housing Benefit
- Income maintain
- Jobseeker’s Allowance
- Pension Credit – only if you get the PIP daily living component
- Universal Credit
- Working Tax Credit – new claims replaced by Universal Credit.
Where to find help
Anyone who has already claimed PIP or has a general query about their award and what else they may be entitled to claim should call the Disability Service Centre.
You can contact them for advice or information about a claim you’ve already made for PIP, Disability Living Allowance (DLA) or Attendance Allowance.
Full contact details including phone numbers can be found on the gov.uk website.
Adult Disability Payment
Adult Disability Payment is a new health benefit which replaced new claims for PIP for people living in Scotland last summer. The devolved benefit provides financial maintain to people aged between 16 and state pension age, who are disabled, have a long-term health condition or have a terminal illness.
People already receiving PIP and Disability Living Allowance (DLA) from the DWP do not need to apply for Adult Disability Payment as they will transfer automatically to Social Security Scotland in stages by the end of 2025.
It will take approximately three months to transfer someone’s award to the devolved welfare system. Social Security Scotland said it will write to people to educate them when to expect their first Adult Disability Payment and other important information including how to ensure they continue to acquire any other benefits.
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