1. An introduction to Personal Independence Payment for support organisations

2. PIP Toolkit - Quick Guide
Introduction to PIP
Personal Independence Payment (PIP) is a new disability benefit
Personal Independence Payment has replaced Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for new claims from adults aged 16-64
DLA remains for children up to age 16; and DLA recipients aged 65 or over on 8 April 2013 (day that PIP was introduced)
PIP helps towards some of extra costs arising from health condition or disability
PIP based on how person’s condition affects them, not condition itself
Same way as DLA, claimants can get PIP whether in or out of work
Not means tested or taxed
PIP Toolkit - Quick Guide

3. PIP Toolkit – Differences and Similarities
Similarities and differences between DLA and PIP
Similarities
Differences
Extra-costs cash benefit
Not means-tested or taxable
Two components
Payable both in and out of work
Maintains links to passported benefits where possible
Special rules for terminally ill people
three month qualifying period and nine month prospective test
New assessment criteria
Individual assessment and face-to-face consultation
Planned interventions
Reconsiderations process
DLA will continue to be paid until 28 days after the next payday, until the PIP decision comes into force.
PIP Toolkit – Differences and Similarities

4. PIP Toolkit – Conditions of Entitlement
Components and Eligibility
PIP will be made up of two components – daily living and mobility
Each can be paid at standard rate, or enhanced rate for those with the greatest needs
The PIP assessment criteria will consider the individuals’ ability to carry out a range of everyday activities
Individuals will receive a point score for each activity, depending on how well they can carry them out and the help they need to do them
The total scores for each component determine whether a component is payable, and if so, whether at the standard or enhanced rate
Enhanced
Standard
Daily Living
Mobility
8 points
12 points
Not Entitled
PIP Toolkit – Conditions of Entitlement

5. Assessment Criteria PIP Toolkit – Assessment Criteria
Daily living component (activities 1-10)
Mobility component (activities 11-12)
Standard rate = 8 points
Enhanced rate = 12 points
Activity
Possible points
1. Preparing food
0-8
11. Planning and following journeys
0-12
2. Taking nutrition
0-10
12. Moving around
3. Managing therapy or monitoring a health condition
4. Washing and bathing
5. Managing toilet needs or incontinence
6. Dressing and undressing
7. Communicating verbally
8. Reading and understanding signs, symbols and words
9. Engaging with other people face-to-face
10. Making budgeting decisions
0-6
PIP Toolkit – Assessment Criteria

6. PIP Toolkit – Assessment Process and Providers
The new assessment
The PIP assessment will involve health professionals who consider the evidence provided by the claimant, along with any further evidence they think is needed
The health professionals will be employed by independent providers
People will be assessed as individuals, and the focus is on the impact their condition has on their daily lives and over a range of different activities
PIP Toolkit – Assessment Process and Providers

7. PIP Toolkit – Assessment Process and Providers
The new assessment
Most people will be asked to a face-to-face consultation with a health professional as part of the assessment process - claimants will be encouraged to take somebody with them to the consultation
Home visits will be available when necessary
Face-to-face consultations may not be necessary for everyone – for example, those who are terminally ill may not have to have them
The assessment provider will send a report back to the DWP Decision Maker to make a decision
PIP Toolkit – Assessment Process and Providers

8. 1 Thinking about claiming New Claims Existing DLA claimants
Information is available that explains the eligibility criteria and helps the claimant decide if they want to make a claim.
Family & Friends
Online
Support
Organisations
GPs and Healthcare Professionals
Leaflets
DWP
Existing DLA claimants
From October 2015 all the remaining claimants in receipt of a DLA award will be invited to make a claim to PIP. We will select those recipients of DLA in receipt of an indefinite award or fixed term award, and notify them about what they need to do to claim PIP.
If they choose not to claim PIP then their DLA would end.
Reassessment has now started for existing DLA claimants with fixed period DLA awards coming up for renewal, Children who turn 16 years old on or after 7 October 2013 (unless they have been awarded DLA under the Special Rules for terminal illness), where there is a report of change in the DLA claimant’s health condition or disability and existing DLA claimants aged who wish to make a PIP claim.
Existing DLA claimants will be asked at some point after October 2013 if they want to claim PIP.

9. PIP Toolkit – How to claim2
Making a claim
Claims are made via a telephone call (0800) to DWP – callers claiming under special rules for terminally ill people will be routed to a dedicated team to complete the claim
DWP will identify communication needs (such as alternative formats) and consider if the claimant needs additional support
DWP will explain what happens next
The initial information required to make a claim to PIP will be basic information covering:
DWP checks basic eligibility conditions – if not met then a disallowance letter will be issued
The claimant’s personal and contact details
Residency details (known as residency and presence)
Relevant periods spent in hospital, residential care
Claims under special rules for terminally ill people, and
Payment (bank account) details
A form is posted to the claimant. It is individually addressed and barcoded to speed up processing
PIP Toolkit – How to claim

10. PIP claim call: basic info needed
Claimant’s personal and contact details
Residency and presence details
Relevant periods spent in hospital or residential care
Payment (bank account) details
PIP Toolkit – How to claim

11. PIP Toolkit – How to claim
PIP new claim process
New claims line: callers claiming under special rules for terminally ill people will be routed to a dedicated team to complete the claim
(textphone: )
PIP enquiries: (textphone: ).
Claimants sent ‘How your disability affects you’ form – return with supporting evidence already held
PIP Toolkit – How to claim

12. PIP Toolkit – Completing the form3
How your disability affects you
The form allows the claimant to explain how their condition affects them in their own words
Some disabled people have fluctuating conditions, that affect them in different ways on ‘good and bad’ days, so they can use the form to explain this
Claimants may ask someone, such as a family member or support organisation to help them complete the form
Any additional evidence that may help support the claim can be returned with this form. They shouldn’t request other documents which might slow down their claim or for which they may be charged
The form and any supporting evidence is returned to DWP
in a freepost envelope
PIP Toolkit – Completing the form

13. ‘How your disability affects you’ form
Explains how condition affects claimants in own words
Include affect on ‘good and bad’ days
PIP Toolkit – Completing the form

14. ‘How your disability affects you’ form
Family member or support organisation can help
Additional evidence already available to help support the claim returned included
Claimants should only send in photocopies of things they already have available to them.
They shouldn’t request other documents which might slow down their claim or for which they might be charged a fee, for example from their GP. If we need this we will ask for it ourselves.
PIP Toolkit – Completing the form

15. PIP Toolkit – Assessment process and providers4
Assessment
The claim information, completed form and any additional evidence is passed over to the health professional
They will decide if there is a need for any further evidence and will make all the arrangements to get this
Some assessments may be completed at this stage– such as if someone is claiming under the special rules for the terminally ill or where the written evidence is sufficient
Most will be asked to attend a face-to-face consultation
PIP Toolkit – Assessment process and providers

16. PIP Toolkit – Assessment process and providers4
Assessment
Face-to-face consultation required
Face-to-face consultation not required
Claimant will be contacted to invite them to a face-to-face consultation
Claimants can contact the health professional to ask questions about the consultation or rearrange appointments
Claimant attends face-to-face consultation with health professional
The health professional reviews all the evidence against a set of everyday activities and clear descriptors to assess the challenges faced by the individual
The health professional will ask the claimant to explain how their condition affects them on a day to day basis. The claimant may also be able to provide additional evidence
The health professional sends a report back to the DWP to help inform their decision
PIP Toolkit – Assessment process and providers

17. How eligibility is assessed
Assessment considers effect of health condition or disability on daily life
Information considered by Assessment Provider
They may request further evidence from a relevant health professional or someone who supports claimant
PIP Toolkit – Assessment process and providers

18. How eligibility is assessed
Assessment Provider may arrange face-to-face consultation with claimant who:
can ask questions about the consultation or rearrange appointment
explains how condition affects them on a day to day basis
is able to provide additional evidence
PIP Toolkit – Assessment process and providers

19. How eligibility is assessed
Assessment provider reviews all evidence
assesses challenges individuals face against set of everyday activities and clear descriptors
reports back to DWP to help inform PIP decision
PIP Toolkit – Assessment process and providers

20. PIP Toolkit – Decision and Payment5
Decision
The DWP Decision Maker reviews the evidence they’ve received – including
the report from the health professional
They make a reasoned decision on entitlement, level of award and the length of any award
Claimants can call DWP to ask for more information about the decision
A decision letter is posted to the claimant
PIP Toolkit – Decision and Payment

21. PIP Toolkit – Decision and Payment
PIP decision
DWP tell claimants how and when to report change in circumstances
DLA will continue to be paid until 28 days after the next payday, until the PIP decision comes into force.
Claims to Personal Independence Payment are currently taking longer than expected. The actual length of time a Personal Independence Payment claim will take will depend upon individual circumstances.
We are taking steps to speed up the claims process and dealing with claims as quickly as we can. Any delays experienced by the claimant will not affect the date from which their benefit is paid.
PIP Toolkit – Decision and Payment

22. Awards
If someone is awarded PIP we will tell them how long the award is for
We will write to them to tell them how and when they need to tell us about any change in circumstances
Claimants will have their award regularly reviewed
When someone’s award comes to an end, they can decide to make a further claim to PIP, if they still have needs arising from their health condition or disability
If someone is given a longer award we will contact them occasionally to see if their needs have changed over time
PIP Toolkit – Disputes

23. PIP Toolkit – Decisions and Payment
Award reviews
The length of award for PIP will be based upon each claimant’s individual circumstances
DWP regularly reviews awards
When awards ends, claimant can make new claim
DWP contact claimants with longer awards occasionally to see if needs have changed
PIP Toolkit – Decisions and Payment

24. Special rules for terminal illness
Claims for those who are found to meet the special rules for terminal illness criteria
will be dealt with more quickly than normal claims
Those claiming under the rules for terminal illness will be routed to a dedicated team to complete the claim.
are guaranteed an award of the enhanced rate of the daily living component of PIP without having to wait until they satisfy the qualifying period or prospective test
both the daily living component and, providing the conditions are met, the mobility component will be paid straight away
The claimant will not be sent the form ‘How your disability affects you’
they will be asked some extra questions whilst they are on the phone about their condition and how it affects their ability to get around
PIP Toolkit – Special rules

25. Special rules for terminal illness
Special rules claims will be routed to a dedicated team to complete the claim .
Telephone line: (text phone )
DS1500 report needed to support claim
Both the Daily Living and, providing conditions met, the Mobility component paid straight away
Don’t have to complete the ‘How your disability affects you’ form
Don’t need a face-to-face consultation
PIP Toolkit – Special rules

26. Rising 16s Children can continue to claim DLA until they are 16
These changes do not affect children in receipt of Disability Living Allowance
They'll continue to receive it until they reach 16 when they become eligible for Personal Independence Payment.
DWP will write to children who turn 16 years old on or after 7 October 2013 (unless they have been awarded DLA under the Special Rules for terminal illness), to invite them to claim PIP
Existing DLA SRTI claimants, including young people reaching 16, will only be invited to claim PIP when their DLA award expires.
There are no plans to extend PIP to new or existing claims for children

27. Passporting to other benefits and services
Many DLA claimants are receiving other benefits, such as ESA
Most DLA claimants receiving Incapacity Benefit will have already been reassessed for Employment and Support Allowance by the time they need to make a claim to PIP
Households where someone is in receipt of DLA/PIP are exempt from the new Benefit Cap
PIP Toolkit – Access to other benefits and services

28. Passporting to other benefits and services
Most existing passporting arrangements have been maintained for PIP
receipt of the Daily Living component (either rate) means that their carer may be entitled to Carer’s Allowance
Motability scheme will work with PIP in the same way as it does with DLA
Changes in entitlement may affect other benefits or support that the claimant or carer receives
PIP Toolkit – Access to other benefits and services

29. Motability, Blue Badge, Concessionary travel and Vehicle Excise Duty
If a claimant gets the enhanced rate of the mobility part of Personal Independence Payment, they may be able to use all or part of their allowance to lease a car, scooter or powered wheelchair from the Motability scheme
If a claimant gets the mobility part of Personal Independence Payment they might be able to claim for a Blue Badge
They may also be able to claim a pass to travel for free on public transport
If the claimant gets the enhanced rate of the mobility part of Personal Independence Payment they won’t have to pay car tax
If the claimant gets the standard rate of the mobility part of Personal Independence Payment they will only have to pay half the price of a car tax disc
PIP Toolkit – Access to other benefits and services

30. Claimants in care homes
PIP Daily Living component will stop being paid after total 28 days in a care home
Mobility component payment not affected when claimant is in care home
Claimants in hospitals
Both components of PIP will stop 28 days after claimant admitted to NHS hospitals

31. Disputes
The change to the appeals process for DWP consists of the following key elements
mandatory reconsideration of decisions prior to appeal
direct lodgement of appeals with HMCTS
time limits for DWP to return appeal responses to HMCTS.
DWP will introduce mandatory reconsideration and direct lodgement for PIP from April 2013
PIP Toolkit – Disputes

32. Where to find more information
Information for support organisations and advisers is online at The site includes a quick guide to PIP for advisers, an overview of the claimant journey and frequently asked questions
We’ll also include the latest news in the monthly Touchbase bulletin – sign up at the DWP website
Information aimed at claimants is available on Please signpost to these pages from your own sites or materials
Updated leaflets are also available – generic information in existing leaflets, and PIP specific leaflet
Talk to your local DWP Partner Manager