DWP confirms if PIP is being axed in benefits shake-up affecting millions (original) (raw)

Personal Independence Payment - or PIP for short - is a benefit that is awarded to people who may need extra help due to an illness, disability or mental health condition

PIP isn't being replaced by Universal Credit

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is moving more than two million people on older benefits over to Universal Credit - but does this include PIP?

Personal Independence Payment - or PIP for short - is a benefit that is awarded to people who may need extra help due to an illness, disability or mental health condition. It is claimed by almost 3.4 million people in the UK and is worth up to £737.20 every four weeks, depending on how your condition impacts your day-to-day life.

The DWP has explained which benefits will be moved over to Universal Credit - and has confirmed PIP is not on this list. Universal Credit is replacing the following six benefits:

• Working Tax Credit
• Child Tax Credit
• Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
• Income Support
• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
• Housing Benefit

On the GOV.UK website, it explains: "Other benefits, such as Personal Independence Payment (PIP), will stay the same." This means if you currently claim PIP, your benefit won't be phased out and you won't be moved to Universal Credit as part of the so-called "managed migration" process, which is being done in stages. The DWP expects to have contacted everyone who is affected by the end of December 2025.

How much is PIP worth?

PIP is usually paid every four weeks. If you're terminally ill, you can be paid weekly. PIP comes in two parts and you can be entitled to both or just one of these, depending on how your condition affects your life. There is a daily living rate and a mobility rate, which are worth:

Daily living

• Lower rate: £72.65
• Higher rate: £108.55

Mobility

• Lower rate: £28.70
• Higher rate: £75.75

Who is eligible for PIP?

When you apply for PIP, you'll normally need to be assessed by a health professional to see how your condition affects your life. You may be entitled to the the daily living part of PIP if you need help with:

• Eating, drinking or preparing food
• Washing, bathing and using the toilet
• Dressing and undressing
• Reading and communicating
• Managing your medicines or treatments
• Making decisions about money
• Socialising and being around other people

You might get the mobility part of PIP if you need help with:

• Working out a route and following it
• Physically moving around
• Leaving your home

You have to be aged 16 and above to claim PIP. If you’re already getting PIP and you reach state pension age, your claim will normally continue - however, most people can’t make a new PIP claim once they reach state pension age. You may be able to make a new claim at state pension age if you were eligible for PIP in the last 12 months.

PIP claims generally last for a period of time before they’re reviewed - normally this is between one year to ten years. If you are terminally ill, you can apply for PIP under special rules which means the DWP will fast-track your application and you can receive your first payment within two weeks.