Are PIP benefit rates going up in 2024 and how much can I get? (2024)

MILLIONS struggling with a long-term illness or disability could be eligible for Personal Independence Payment (PIP).

The Government benefit is worth as much as £184.30 a week, or nearly £10,000 a year.

If you don't claim PIP, it's definitely worth seeing if you're eligible as payments do not change if you are out of work.

The maximum amount you can claim increased by £11.55 a week in April.

It came as a number of other benefits were hiked by up to 8.5%, including the state pension and Universal Credit.

Benefitspayments like PIP generally rise every year in April, to keep up with the cost of things like food and householdbills.

How much will PIP payments rise in 2024?

There are two elements to PIP: a daily living part if you need help with everyday tasks, and a mobility part if you need help with getting around.

There are two rates for each part - standard or enhanced - depending on the level of your needs.

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Who can get PIP?

PIP is available to those aged 16 or over who have not yet reached thestate pensionage.

The current state pension age is 66 but this is set to rise to 68.

You must have lived inEnglandorWalesfor at least two out of the last three years, and be in one of these countries when you apply.

The process is different inNorthern Ireland, and there are additional rules if you live abroad or if you’re not a British citizen.

InScotlandyou will need to apply for Adult Disability Payment (ADP) instead.

Crucially, you must also have ahealthcondition ordisabilitywhere you either have had difficulties with daily living or getting around - or both- for three months, and you expect these difficulties to continue for at least nine months (unless you're terminally ill with less than 12 months to live).

Difficulties with daily living can include:

Preparing or eatingfood
Washing, bathing and using the toilet
Dressing and undressing
Reading and communicating
Managing your medicines or treatments
Making decisions aboutmoney
Engaging with other people

You can claim PIP at the same time as other benefits, except the armed forces independence payment.

If you receive constant attendance allowance you will receive less of the daily living part of PIP.

If you get warpensioners' mobility supplement you will not get the mobility part of PIP.

Do I have to be in work to get PIP?

No, you can get PIP whether you're working or not.

You can also claim PIP if you're already gettinglimited capability for work and work-related activity (LCWRA) paymentsif you claimUniversal Credit.

Households eligible for LCWRA paymentsusually have a health condition which prevents or limits their ability to work.

How do I apply for PIP?

You can make a new PIP claim by calling theDepartment for Work and Pensions (DWP)on 0800 917 2222.

This is the government department tasked with paying out benefits to millions every year.

There are also other ways to claim if you find it difficult to use a telephone. See Gov.UKfor more information.

When you claim, you'll need:

Your contact details
Date of birth
National Insurancenumber
Bankor building society account number and sort code
Your doctor or health worker’s name, address and telephone number
Dates and addresses for any time you’ve spent abroad, in a care home or hospital

Someone else can call on your behalf, but you’ll need to be with them when they call.

You'll then be sent a form to fill in, after which you'll be invited for an assessment or your health or social care worker will be asked for information.

After this, you'll be sent a letter telling you if your claim has been successful.

You can read Citizens Advice’shelp on preparing for an assessment.

How do I appeal or overturn a decision on PIP?

If your application for PIP has been turned down or you don't think you've been offered enough cash you can appeal the decision.

You first need to ask for a “mandatory reconsideration notice” - this is where the DWP looks at the decision again.

If you are still unhappy with this outcome, you can thenappeal to an independent tribunal.

Are you missing out on benefits?

YOU can use a benefits calculator to help check that you are not missing out on money you are entitled to

Charity Turn2Us' benefits calculator works out what you could get.

Entitledto's free calculator determines whether you qualify for various benefits, tax credit and Universal Credit.

MoneySavingExpert.com and charity StepChange both have benefits tools powered by Entitledto's data.

You can use Policy in Practice's calculator to determine which benefits you could receive and how much cash you'll have left over each month after paying for housing costs.

Your exact entitlement will only be clear when you make a claim, but calculators can indicate what you might be eligible for.

You must send your appeal form in within one month of the date shown on the mandatory reconsideration notice.

Be warned thatit usually takes up to six months for an appeal to be heard by the tribunal.

If you’re unhappy with the decision you get from the tribunal, you may be able to get the decision cancelled - known as “set aside”. You’ll be told how to do this at the time.

You may also be able to appeal to the Upper Tribunal (Administrative Appeals Chamber) if you think the tribunal wasn't able to give you proper reasons for its decision, or back up the decision with facts, or if it failed to apply thelawproperly.