This benefit is paid monthly and it is not means tested, so you can receive this benefit regardless of your other income or savings. You are able to apply if you have an illness or disability that affects you on a day-to-day basis, and you are under the retirement age.
You are awarded this benefit after completing a medical assessment, which looks at how you manage with your condition(s) on a day-to-day basis, over 12 areas of life. These areas include how you prepare food, engage with other people, manage medication and manage travel.
Mental Health
People with mental health needs can apply for this benefit, if you can demonstrate that you need support most of the time because of your condition. You may need to explain specifically how your condition affects your day-to-day life, in a medical assessment. For instance, if you have anxiety, the assessor will ask how it affects you going out or meeting new people.
Hospital
If you go into hospital and you claim this benefit, you will only be paid for the first 28 days that you are in hospital. After this, payments will be suspended until you leave hospital. You should not need to re-apply for the benefit. If you claim this benefit while you are in hospital, you will need to wait until you leave hospital to receive your first payment.
In a care home, those awarded this benefit may only be paid the mobility aspect.
Applying
To apply for this benefit, you will need to call the PIP application line on 0800 917 2222. They will send you a medical questionnaire to be filled in and sent back. You may then need to attend a face-to-face or phone assessment with a doctor.
Further information about PIP can be found here:
