The federal government is encountering backlash over its rumoured plans to freeze the extent of non-public independence fee (PIP) reasonably than enhance it in keeping with inflation.
On Tuesday, the work and pensions secretary could set out proposals in an effort to attempt to get extra folks again to work and minimize Britain’s “unsustainable” benefits invoice.
A number of backbenchers have expressed frustration to the PA information company at an absence of communication from ministers, with one describing “engagement classes” held by Quantity 10 as a “tickbox train” and one other saying lots of their colleagues had made it clear they’d vote in opposition to such proposals.
Experiences recommend the dimensions of the backlash has prompted a rethink of rumoured plans to freeze the extent of PIP reasonably than enhance it in keeping with inflation, delivering a real-terms minimize to three.6 million claimants.
On Monday, Diane Abbott, the Hackney North and Stoke Newington MP, stated reducing the cash for disabled folks “just isn’t a Labour factor to do”.
Ministers insist that reform is important given the variety of folks in England and Wales claiming both illness or incapacity profit has soared from 2.8 million to about 4.0 million since 2019.
Right here is every little thing we all know, together with the distinction between day by day residing PIP and mobility PIP.
Work and pensions secretary Liz Kendall arrives in Downing Road
PA Wire
What’s the private independence fee?
The non-public independence fee is a welfare profit within the UK.
It’s designed to assist folks with the additional prices related to long-term sickness, disability, or psychological well being situations.
PIP changed the Incapacity Residing Allowance (DLA) for folks between 16 and state pension age in April 2013. It’s not means-tested, so it doesn’t matter how a lot earnings or financial savings you will have. PIP relies on how your situation impacts you, not the situation itself.
How much is PIP in 2025?
- Standard 2024/25: £72.65
- Enhanced 2024/25: £108.55
- Standard 2024/25: £28.70
- Enhanced 2024/25: £75.75
- you’re 16 or over.
- you have a long-term physical or mental health condition or disability.
- you have difficulty doing certain everyday tasks or getting around.
- you expect the difficulties to last at least 12 months from when they started.
You must also be under state pension age if you’ve not received PIP.
If you live in Scotland, you must apply for Adult Disability Payment (ADP) instead.
If you’re over the state pension age, you can apply for an Attendance Allowance instead. If you’ve received PIP before, you can still make a new claim if you were eligible for it in the year before you reached state pension age.
Once you’ve checked your eligibility, you can start your claim by calling the PIP new claims phone line on 0800 917 2222.
You’ll be asked about your contact details, national insurance quantity, checking account, and medical historical past.
You’ll then be despatched a kind asking you questions on your situation. Generally, you may want an evaluation if extra data is required.
Alternatively, you can begin a declare by publish by sending a letter to the private independence fee new claims workplace. Nonetheless, receiving a choice will take longer this fashion.
For extra data, go to the Authorities web site here.
Does receiving PIP have an effect on common credit score funds?
Being eligible for PIP isn’t dependent in your earnings, financial savings, working standing, or different advantages. So, these receiving employment and assist allowance or different advantages can nonetheless get PIP.
The fee can also be tax-free.
What’s the distinction between day by day residing PIP and mobility PIP?
How a lot PIP you obtain is dependent upon two issues: how troublesome you discover day by day residing and the way a lot you wrestle with mobility. You’ll obtain an amount of cash assigned for every of those elements.
The funds vary from £68.10 to £101.75 for day by day residing struggles. Mobility funds vary from £26.90 to £71.
If granted mobility PIP, you may additionally be eligible for a Blue Badge, automobile tax low cost or exemption, or a Motability Scheme automobile.
If you happen to obtain both the day by day residing or the mobility PIP, you’ll grow to be eligible for a disabled individual’s rail card. You may additionally obtain a reduction in your council tax and native bus journey.