Direct payments of £173 a week for those with dyslexia – can you get extra cash?

SIX million people in the UK are believed to suffer from dyslexia but some might not realise they could qualify for payments worth £173.

Anyone with a common learning difficulty might be in line for a Government benefit.

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You may be entitled to a Government benefit if you suffer from dyslexia[/caption]

Around 10% of the population is believed to have dyslexia, according to the British Dyslexia Association (BDA).

If you have it, you might qualify for Personal Independence Payments (PIP).

The benefit is designed to help those struggling with a health condition or disability.

Payments are worth up to £173 a week, or almost £9,000 a year, and you can be eligible whether you’re in work or not.

You qualify for the benefit if you have a long-term physical or mental health condition or disability and you struggle doing certain everyday tasks or getting around.

This can include neurodevelopmental conditions such as autism, ADHD and dyslexia.

There are two elements to PIP – the daily living part and the mobility part.

The daily living part is for those who need help with everyday tasks while the mobility part is for those who need help getting around.

There are two rates for each part depending on your need – standard or enhanced. The weekly rates are:

• Standard daily living component: £68.10
• Enhanced daily living component: £101.75
• Standard mobility component: £26.90
• Enhanced mobility component: £71

You can qualify for both parts of PIP, which means the maximum amount you can receive each week, currently, is £172.75.

It’s a potentially life-changing amount of money, so if you don’t claim it already, it’s worth checking if you do qualify.

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) says there is no specific list of conditions that entitle people to PIP.

That means you won’t automatically qualify for PIP just because you have dyslexia.

However, if you suffer from a learning disability and it impacts you enough on a day-to-day basis, you could be eligible.

What is PIP and who is eligible?

PIP is available to those aged 16 or over but you also must be below the state pension age, currently 66.

Crucially, you must also have a health condition or disability where you either have had difficulties with daily living or getting around (or both) for three months.

You also must 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 eating food
• Washing, bathing and using the toilet
• Dressing and undressing
• Reading and communicating
• Managing your medicines or treatments
• Making decisions about money
• Engaging with other people

PIP payments are tax-free and the amount you get is not affected by your income or savings.

You can also claim it alongside other benefits, except the Armed Forces Independence payment.

Meanwhile, if you receive Constant Attendance Allowance you will receive less of the daily living part of PIP.

If you get the War Pensioners’ Mobility Supplement you will not receive the mobility part of PIP.

How do you apply for PIP?

You can start a claim by calling the DWP on 0800 917 2222.

There are also other ways to claim if you don’t want to call up. You should check out gov.co.uk for more information.

When you claim, you’ll need the following information to hand:

• Your contact details
• Date of birth
• National Insurance number
• Bank or 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’s help in preparing for an assessment guide on its website.

If you apply for PIP and are unsuccessful, you can appeal the decision.