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Key changes to benefits are coming in very soon
The DWP has issued an update regarding PIP (Personal Independence Payment). The benefit assists people who have long-term health conditions or disabilities, providing up to £750 every four-week payment period.
DWP minister Torsten Bell addressed the Work and Pensions Committee on the subject of increasing the state pension age, and the Government’s measures to support those required to work longer as a consequence. The qualifying age is rising from 66 to 67 between April 2026 and April 2028.
There are also proposals for a subsequent rise to 68 between 2044 and 2046. Mr Bell was questioned about people nearing retirement who may find it difficult to continue working due to health conditions, and what assistance is open to them.
In his answer, he discussed the support available to those of working age. The Labour minister said: “We have a benefit system that is there to support in those circumstances.
“In practice, those are different circumstances for different people. We have a means-tested benefit system aiming to provide some support but, as you are rightly hinting at, at a significantly lower level than we do to pensioners, but then we also have parts of the benefit system that are aiming to target ill health or disability characteristics that could affect all age groups but are more likely to affect those in later life.
“That is why we have about 500,000 people in England and Wales on PIP who are 60 to 64.” If you are nearing state pension age and living with a health condition, it could be worthwhile checking your eligibility for this benefit.
PIP offers assistance to cover the additional costs associated with living with a health condition or disability. The benefit is not means tested. The scheme comprises a daily living component and a mobility component, each with a lower and higher rate based on your level of need.
You can receive one component without qualifying for the other.
How much is PIP worth?
Here are the current weekly rates for PIP, set to rise by 1.7 per cent in April, along with other benefits:
Daily living component
- Lower – £73.90
- Higher – £110.40
Mobility component
- Lower – £29.20
- Higher – £77.05
If you are of state pension age and have a health condition, you might be eligible to claim Attendance Allowance if you require someone else’s help to care for you. This is paid at either £73.90 or £110.40 a week.
You may also want to check your eligibility for Pension Credit, available to those of state pension age on a low income. This tops up your income and provides access to other Government support, with the average claim providing around £4,300 a year in assistance.
