Thousands of Brits with respiratory conditions are thought to be missing out on Personal Independence Payments (PIP) of up to £748 a month. The money is distributed by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and is available to those who have a long-term illness or condition that makes it difficult to carry out day-to-day tasks.
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People can apply for the benefit regardless of their work status or how much they have in savings. The amount a person receives depends on the type of illness they have and the amount it impacts their life. Anyone who suffers from a respiratory illness, even if it is mild, is advised to check with the DWP if they are eligible for payments.
Personal Independence Payments
Many conditions can qualify a person for PIP, however it is thought that thousands of eligible people aren’t claiming it simply because they’re unaware of the benefit or don’t believe it applies to them. This is particularly true of conditions that are not particularly visible such as respiratory illness.
Payments are made up of two components and it is possible to receive both depending on your situation. The maximum payments are as follows, as per gov.uk:
Daily living tasks
- Standard rate - £68.10 a week
- Enhanced rate - £101.75 a week
Mobility tasks
- Standard rate - £26.90 a week
- Enhanced rate - £71 a week
Read more:
⋙ Thousands of people on benefits warned of change in payment date this month: here's what to expect
⋙ Millions to get extra £300 payment this year, find out if you're eligible
PIP: Britons with respiratory conditions could be eligible for extra £748 a month | Personal Finance | Finance https://t.co/5kb3sstr2Q
— Go News Daily (@GoNewsDaily1) April 27, 2023
Respiratory Conditions
A list of respiratory conditions that could qualify for PIP, include, as per The Daily Express:
- Sleep apnoea - obstructive
- Upper respiratory tract - other diseases of/type not known
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
- 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.
To be eligible the following must apply to the claimant:
- They have a long-term physical or mental health condition or disability
- They have difficulty doing certain everyday tasks or getting around
- They expect the difficulties to last for at least 12 months from when they started.
To claim PIP, you should call the DWP to get things started. You’ll then be sent a form that asks about your condition. After you have completed and returned the form you might need to have an assessment to find out more information.
Use the following numbers to start your claim today:
Telephone: 0800 917 2222
Textphone: 0800 917 7777
Relay UK (if you cannot hear or speak on the phone): 18001 then 0800 917 2222
Read more:
⋙ DWP announces major change for some claiming benefits: Check if you’re affected
Sources used:
- Daily Express 'Britons with respiratory conditions could qualify for benefit worth up to £748 a month'
