The DWP will judge the eligibility of PIP claim on a period of 12 months, looking back for three months and forward for nine months
The latest figures from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) show that in July there were nearly 2.8 million people across the UK claiming support through Personal Independence Payments (PIP) and accessing a wide range of additional assistance including Council Tax Reductions, benefit top-ups and free or discounted public transport.
Of that total, 292,231 Scots are now receiving financial support of between £23.70 and £152.15 every week. PIP is paid every four weeks, so that amounts to between £94.80 and £608.60 each month completely tax-free to help with extra living costs.
To help people make a new claim over the phone, the DWP has now amended the online PIP Handbook guide to clarify that ‘a National Insurance number is not required’ to get the process started – it will be needed to complete the claim, but not a necessity for the initial call.
The guidance on GOV.UK also states: The telephone call can be made by someone supporting the claimant. The claimant must be present so that they can confirm the person supporting them has their permission to make the call.
It states: It is important that the claimant has their basic information ready before they call the PIP claim line. Not having this information ready may delay progress of the claim.
The DWP will judge the eligibility of PIP claim on a period of 12 months, looking back for three months and forward for nine months.
Claimants usually need to have lived in Scotland for at least two of the last three years and be in the country when applying.
The DWP will decide which statement best fits the claimant’s situation most of the time. They will get a set amount of points ranging from 0 -12 for each activity.
The total number of points the claimant gets for each group of activities will decide whether one is entitled to PIP, and how much money one will receive.
To get the standard rate daily living component, one needs to score between 8 to 11 points in total for the daily living activities. The claimant needs 12 points to get the enhanced rate.
PIP is usually paid every four weeks unless one is terminally ill, in which case it is paid every week.
PIP will be paid directly into the bank, building society or credit union account.