There was a major change in the UK earlier this week that will see many Brits get a boost to their bank account. From Monday 8 April, the DWP started handing out increased sums to people on Personal Independence Payments.
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This £737 boost comes as the DWP’s obligatory review of benefits in line with inflation showed a measure of 6.7%. That was calculated in September, and as per the system in place, benefits have increased by this percentage. Another change will see a £785 financial boost for millions of renters.
These shifts come shortly after the UK's Prime Minister Rishi Sunak acknowledged that the UK is officially in a recession. Everyone has been feeling the effects of the country's shaky economic situation for some time, and many are looking for ways that the government can support them. For now, let’s focus on this £737 boost and who is eligible.
£737 boost
This change will see eligible people receive a higher payment into their bank accounts, totalling a maximum boost of £737 over the next 12 months. This would mean claimants received a total of £9,583.60 per year from a maximum of £184.30 per week.
The PIP changes are broken down below:
- Standard rate for daily living: £68.10 per week (up by £4.55 a week to £72.65, or £236 a year)
- Enhanced rate for daily living: £101.75 per week (up by £6.80 a week to £108.55 or £353.60 a year)
- Standard rate for mobility : £26.90 per week (up by £1.80 a week to £28.70, or £93.60 a year)
- Enhanced rate for mobility : £71.00 per week (up by £4.75 a year to £75.75, or £247 a year)
Eligibility
To be eligible for PIP, you must have either a health condition or disability for three months that causes difficulty with daily living and mobility. These issues must be expected to continue for another nine months, and you usually need to be in the country when you apply. Here’s a list of the conditions that mean you qualify for the payments:
- Sleep apnoea - obstructive
- Upper respiratory tract - other diseases of/type not known
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
- Chronic bronchitis
- Cystic fibrosis
- Emphysema
- Empyema
- Bronchiectasis
- Asthma
- Asbestosis
- Extrinsic allergic alveolitis
- Fibrosing alveolitis
- Sarcoidosis
- Silicosis
- Granulomatous lung disease and pulmonary infiltration
- Pulmonary fibrosis - other/type not known
- Pneumoconiosis
- Pulmonary fibrosis
- Pleura
- Pleural effusion
- Pneumothorax
- Pulmonary embolus
- Pneumonia
- Lung transplantation
- Heart and lung transplantation
Lastly, you usually have to have lived in the UK for 2 out of the last three years from when you apply.
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Sources used:
BirminghamLive: DWP will give out £737 payments for people with any of these 25 conditions
YorkshireLive: DWP hands £737 boost to people with any of these 25 health conditions from Monday
