Personal Independence Payment (PIP) Support

Are you facing the challenge of navigating Personal Independence Payment (PIP) assessments alone? We’re here to help. Our PIP Assessment Support Service is designed to provide you with expert advocacy guidance and support throughout the assessment process.
Preparing for a PIP assessment can be overwhelming, but our team of experienced professional advocates are here to support you. We’ll provide you with expert guidance to help you navigate the assessment with confidence.

Below are just a few benefits of how our experienced ICANN advocacy team can support you with you Personal Independence Payment (PIP) application:

Expert Guidance: Our team consists of experienced professional advocates who understand PIP assessments and will help you to navigate the process. Personalised Assistance: Your situation is unique, and we provide personalised assistance tailored to your specific circumstances, with ICANN we’ll be there to guide you every step of the way. Empowerment: We’re committed to empowering you to speak up for yourself, feel listened to and ensure that your rights are upheld. With our support, you’ll gain the confidence needed to communicate how your health conditions and/or disability impact you on a daily basis during the assessment. Peace of Mind: Let us guide you through your PIP assessment and help to reduce the stress and anxiety associated with the PIP assessment. Increased Success Rate: With our expertise and support, you are more likely to have a positive outcome and be awarded the correct level of PIP. For more information visit www.gov.uk/browse/benefits

I haven’t had a diagnosis yet should I still apply?

Yes, you should still apply for PIP even if you haven’t received a formal diagnosis yet. PIP is not based on having a specific diagnosis, but rather on how your health condition or disability affects your daily living and mobility.

Here’s why you should consider applying:

Focus on functional impact: The PIP assessment focuses on how your condition impacts your ability to carry out everyday tasks, not on the specific diagnosis.
Evidence of difficulties: Even without a diagnosis, you can still provide evidence of your difficulties through descriptions, examples, and supporting evidence from healthcare professionals or others who know you well.
Potential eligibility: You may still be eligible for PIP based on the functional limitations you experience, even if a diagnosis is pending.
Early application: Applying early can help ensure you receive the financial support you may be entitled to sooner rather than later.

Need information, advocacy support or advice? You Can with ICANN contact us today on 01772 746061

I am already receiving PIP, but my condition has worsened what do I do?

If your condition has worsened since you started receiving PIP, it’s important to inform the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) as soon as possible. Here’s what you need to do:

Explain the changes: Clearly explain how your condition has worsened and how it’s affecting your daily living or mobility. Be specific and provide examples of the difficulties you’re now facing.
Provide evidence (if possible): If you have any new medical evidence, such as letters from your doctor or specialist, or updated test results, it’s a good idea to send these to the DWP to support your claim.
Possible Outcomes: After you report the change, the DWP will review your case and may:
- Reassess your PIP claim: They may ask you to complete a new PIP form or attend another assessment to determine if you’re entitled to a higher rate of PIP.
- Increase your PIP award: If they determine that your needs have increased, they may increase your PIP payment accordingly.

Important Note:

Don’t delay: It’s crucial to inform the DWP as soon as your condition worsens, as your PIP award may be increased from the date you report the change. If you wait, you may miss out on payments you’re entitled to.

Need information, advocacy support or advice? You Can with ICANN. Contact us today on 01772 746061

How much PIP will I receive?

The amount of Personal Independence Payment (PIP) you receive depends on how your condition affects your daily living and mobility activities. There are two components of PIP:

Daily Living Component: This is for help with everyday tasks like washing, dressing, preparing food, and managing your medication.
Mobility Component: This is for help with getting around and planning journeys.

Each component has two rates:

Standard Rate: For those who need some help but can mostly manage activities independently.
Enhanced Rate: For those who need more help and have greater difficulty with activities.

The current weekly PIP rates for 2024/2025 are:

Component	Standard Rate	Enhanced Rate
Daily Living	£72.65	£108.55
Mobility	£28.70	£75.75

Need information, advocacy support or advice? You Can with ICANN. Contact us today on 01772 746061

I receive carers allowance can I still apply for PIP?

Yes, you can absolutely still apply for PIP even if you’re receiving Carer’s Allowance. These are two separate benefits with different eligibility criteria:

Carer’s Allowance: This is a benefit for people who provide regular care to someone with a disability or illness.
Personal Independence Payment (PIP): This is a benefit for people who have a long-term health condition or disability that affects their daily living or mobility.

It’s perfectly possible to be eligible for both benefits if you meet the criteria for each. Receiving Carer’s Allowance doesn’t disqualify you from applying for PIP if your own health condition or disability impacts your daily life.

Need information, advocacy support or advice? You Can with ICANN. Contact us today on 01772 746061

What if the PIP form doesn’t ask stuff that I think is relevant?

If the PIP form doesn’t directly ask about aspects of your condition that you feel are relevant to your daily living or mobility, don’t worry! There are a few ways to ensure this information is considered:

Use the “Extra Information” Sections:
- Each section of the PIP form has a box labeled “Extra information.” Use these boxes to provide additional details about how your condition affects you, even if it doesn’t directly relate to the question being asked.
- Be specific and give examples of how your condition impacts your ability to carry out daily activities or get around.
Additional Sheets of Paper:
- If you need more space than the provided boxes, attach separate sheets of paper to your form.
- Clearly label each sheet with your name, National Insurance number, and the section of the form it relates to.
Supporting Evidence:
- Submitting letters from your doctor, specialist, or other healthcare professionals can provide valuable context about your condition and how it affects you.
- Include any relevant medical reports, test results, or therapy notes that support your claims.
Highlight Key Points in Your Cover Letter:
- If you’re submitting additional evidence, briefly summarize the key points in a cover letter. This helps the assessor quickly understand the relevance of the documents.

Need information, advocacy support or advice? You Can with ICANN. Contact us today on 01772 746061

What age do you have to be to apply for PIP?

You need to be 16 or over to apply for Personal Independence Payment (PIP) in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. In Scotland, you need to be 18 or over to apply for Adult Disability Payment (ADP), which is the equivalent of PIP.

There is also an upper age limit for applying:

If you haven’t received PIP before: You must be under State Pension age.
If you’ve received PIP before: You can still claim PIP if you were eligible for it in the year before you reached State Pension age.

You can check your State Pension age on the government website:

Need information, advocacy support or advice? You Can with ICANN. Contact us today on 01772 746061

I get Universal Credit will this affect my PIP claim?

Receiving Universal Credit (UC) does not directly affect your eligibility for PIP, as they are two separate benefits with different purposes:

Universal Credit: This is a means-tested benefit that helps with living costs if you’re on a low income or out of work.
Personal Independence Payment (PIP): This is a non-means-tested benefit that helps with the extra costs of daily living or mobility needs arising from a long-term health condition or disability.

You can claim and receive both benefits at the same time if you meet the eligibility criteria for each. However, there are a few things to be aware of:

Potential impact on UC amount: If you’re awarded PIP, it might affect the amount of Universal Credit you receive. This is because PIP is considered as income when calculating your UC entitlement. However, you won’t lose all your UC, and you’ll likely still be better off overall.
Reporting changes: You must inform the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) about any changes in your circumstances, including receiving PIP. This is to ensure your UC payments are calculated correctly.
Additional UC elements: You might be entitled to additional elements within your Universal Credit if you receive PIP and meet certain criteria. For example:
- Limited Capability for Work and Work-Related Activity (LCWRA) element: If you are assessed as having limited capability for work and work-related activity due to your health condition or disability, you may be entitled to this additional UC element.
- Carer element: If you are receiving PIP and someone provides care for you for at least 35 hours a week, they might be eligible to claim the carer element of Universal Credit.

Need information, advocacy support or advice? You Can with ICANN. Contact us today on 01772 746061

Our Self-help Resources

What to expect at a PIP Assessment

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Below are just a few benefits of how our experienced ICANN advocacy team can support you with you Personal Independence Payment (PIP) application:

Our Self-help Resources

What to expect at a PIP Assessment

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