Christmas 2023 Payments for People with Disabilities – What You Need to Know
- Who Can Get PIP?
- Understanding Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
- PIP Payment Rates for 2023-24
- How to Apply for PIP
- Will PIP Go Up in 2024?
With Christmas coming up, it's important for people in the UK who get Personal Independence Payment (PIP) to know when they'll get their money. PIP is a special payment that helps people with long-term disabilities or health problems. In this article, we'll talk about who can get PIP, when the payments will happen over Christmas and New Year 2023, and a possible increase in PIP payments in 2024.
Who Can Get PIP?
First, let's see who can get PIP. To get PIP, you must:
| Criteria | Description |
|---|---|
| Live in the UK | You need to live in Northern Ireland or have lived in the UK, Isle of Man, Jersey, or Guernsey for at least two of the last three years. |
| Be of a Certain Age | You need to be of State Pension age. |
| Have Health Problems | You should have a long-term physical or mental health issue. |
| Face Daily Challenges | You must find it hard to move around or do everyday tasks. |
| Have These Problems for a While | These difficulties should have lasted for three months and are expected to continue for at least nine more months. |
| Living Overseas | If you live outside the UK, you might still get PIP in some European countries. |
If you have less than a year to live, you'll follow special rules, and depending on your needs, you'll be put in the daily living section.
Understanding Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
PIP is money given to people who have long-term health problems that make it hard for them to move around or do everyday things. PIP has two main parts:
-
Daily Living: This part covers tasks like eating, cooking, bathing, dressing, talking, and taking medicines.
-
Mobility: The mobility part helps people who need help getting around, walking, or leaving their homes.
The good thing is, PIP doesn't depend on how much money you have or if you get other benefits. It's tax-free and gets paid every four weeks.
PIP Payment Rates for 2023-24
In 2023-24, the PIP payments are like this:
| Category | Standard Rate | Higher Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Daily Living | £68.10 | £101.75 |
| Mobility | £26.90 | £71.00 |
How to Apply for PIP
If you meet the rules and want to get PIP, follow these steps:
| Step | Description |
|---|---|
| 1. | Fill in the PIP 1 Form: You can get this form by calling the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) on the phone. They can help you fill it out. |
| 2. | Send the "How Your Medical Condition Affects You" Form: You can ask for an email with a link to an online form or get a paper form in the mail. |
| 3. | Visit a Doctor: You need to see a doctor, and their evaluation is important for your PIP claim. |
Be patient during this process; it can take up to six months from your first contact with the DWP until you get your first payment.
Will PIP Go Up in 2024?
In November, Chancellor Jeremy Hunt said that PIP payments would go up by 6.7%. This increase is higher than the expected 4.6% rise in prices in October. The new PIP payments from April 2024 might look like this:
| Category | Lower Rate | Higher Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Daily Living: | £72.66 (going up by £4.56) | £108.57 (going up by £6.62) |
| Mobility: | £28.70 (going up by £1.80) | £75.76 (going up by £4.56) |
Conclusion
As Christmas gets closer, it's important for people in the UK who get PIP to know when they'll get their money in 2023. PIP is a helpful payment for people with long-term health problems. Also, there might be more money for PIP in 2024, which is good news for those who need it. If you think you qualify for PIP, look into how to apply so you can get the help you need.
Return to Homepage for more content.