PIP mistake that could see you miss out on share of £870million in benefits – how to avoid it

PERSONAL Independence Payment claimants are missing out on £870million worth of benefits, according to new data from the government.

The benefit is for people who have extra care or mobility needs as a result of a disability. 

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There are two rates of payment – either the standard £72.65 per week or an enhanced payment of £108.55 a year. 

When you’re being assessed for a PIP payment, you are given a score. 

Those who get between eight and 11 points get the standard rate, while those with more than 12 points qualify for the enhanced rate. 

Each year, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) releases “unfulfilled eligibility” figures, which shows the amount of benefit that is going unclaimed.

Unfulfilled eligibility refers to cases where someone could be eligible for a higher amount but have not provided the correct information needed to calculate that award. 

For instance, someone might have provided the wrong information or failed to inform DWP about changes to their circumstances.

This year, the rate of unfulfilled eligibility in PIP was 4.0%, which the DWP says adds up to a financial value of £870 million.

The report adds that all unfulfilled eligibility in PIP was due to claimants not informing the Department that they needed more help or that their conditions have deteriorated.

PIP assessments are based on your ability to complete everyday tasks like preparing food, washing and reading. The more help you need with these tasks, the more money you’re entitled to.

You can use the Benefits and Work PIP self-test, to see what you might qualify for if your conditions have changed and whether you need to update your claim.

Tom Farquhar, benefits information specialist at disability equality charity Scope, said: “Many disabled people miss out on PIP when their health deteriorates. If your condition worsens, it’s important to let the DWP know as you may be eligible for a reassessment and a higher rate of PIP.

“However, we know there is a lot of fear and distrust among disabled people when it comes to engaging with the benefits system as the system is often adversarial and overly complex.

“With £870 million of PIP funds going unclaimed, the DWP need to do more to ensure disabled people are getting all the money they’re entitled to.”

A DWP spokesperson said: “Our welfare system supports millions of people every year and our priority is [that] they receive all the support they are entitled to.

“We promote benefits through public communications campaigns and we encourage people to phone our PIP helpline for support with their claim and to report a change in their needs or circumstances.”

How to report a change in your condition

All changes should be reported as soon as possible. This can be done by calling the PIP enquiry line or writing to the DWP. 

The phone number to call is 0800 121 4433. You can also use a textphone on 0800 121 4493 or use Relay UK on 18001 then 0800 121 4433.

If you want to write, you should use the address on your benefits form.

DWP says that claimants who have difficulty engaging with the claims process can be provided with additional support if they need it, including help with completing forms.

You can also ask for someone else to be added to your call if you need help, or even ask someone else to call on your behalf. 

Halide Kalfaoglu, one of Turn2us’s benefits experts says: “PIP claimants should report any changes in their condition e.g. if it gets better or worse or if the level of help, they need changes. These changes may affect the amount of PIP they receive.

“Claimants should also report any changes in their personal details, such as name, address, bank account details, GP or specialist. While these usually won’t affect the amount of PIP they receive, they still need to be reported.

“Other important changes to report include:

• Traveling abroad
• Going into a hospital or a care home
• Going into prison or custody

“Claimants should also make sure to complete their PIP review form when they receive one.”

The most common changes of condition that go unreported

The DWP report lists the unreported changes that lead to unfulfilled eligibility.

These are as follows:

• Abroad – failing to report or incorrectly reporting when the claimant or their partner returned to live in Great Britain
• Capital – failing to report a decrease or incorrectly reporting the amount of savings in bank or building society accounts, cash, ISA/PEPs, premium bonds, other property interests or shares
• Childcare costs – failing to report or incorrectly reporting the amount of childcare costs paid
• Earnings/employment – failing to report a decrease or incorrectly reporting the amount of earnings from full or part-time work undertaken by the claimant or their partner. 
• Elements – failing to report or incorrectly reporting that the claimant or partner is caring for a disabled person for at least 35 hours per week
• Eligibility conditions – failing to report changes or incorrectly reporting the personal circumstances of an ineligible partner, for example immigration status
• Functional needs – failing to report a deterioration in their condition or a new medical condition, or incorrectly reporting their condition, where this affects their ability to carry out any of the activities on which PIP or DLA or AA is considered
• Hospital/registered care home – failing to report or incorrectly reporting when the claimant or partner is no longer in hospital or a registered care home
• Household composition – failing to report or incorrectly reporting changes in household composition, for example a non-dependant leaving
• Housing costs – failing to report increases or incorrectly reporting the amount of housing costs they pay, including rent and service charges
• Income – occupational and personal pensions – failing to report decreases or incorrectly reporting income received from a non-state pension obtained through contributions paid in past employment schemes, annuities, or personal investments
• Income – other – failing to report decreases or incorrectly reporting income coming into the household from sources such as sick pay from work, spousal maintenance, partner’s student income, unemployment, or similar insurance policy payments
• Income – other benefits – failing to report decreases or incorrectly reporting income received from another benefit
• Living together – failing to report or incorrectly reporting when a claimant lives with another person and maintains a joint household
• Tax credits – failing to report a decrease or incorrectly reporting the amount or existence of tax credits.