MILLIONS of people suffering from health conditions or a disability can get help through Personal Independence Payments (PIP).
The benefit is usually paid every four weeks but if there’s a Bank Holiday you may receive it earlier.
GettyPayment dates for some receiving PIP will change over the festive period[/caption]
PIP is designed to help with extra living costs if you have a long-term mental or physical health condition or disability.
There are two parts to the benefit which means you can get paid different amounts depending on your circumstances.
The daily living part is paid to you if you need help with everyday tasks and the mobility part if you need help moving around.
Both parts are split into lower and higher weekly rates depending on your situation.
The daily living part lower weekly rate is £61.85 and the higher weekly rate is £92.40.
The mobility part lower weekly rate is £24.45 and the higher weekly rate is £64.50.
Will I get paid early over the Bank Holiday?
Benefit payments are usually made straight into your bank account.
But, if your payment is on a weekend or Bank Holiday you’ll usually be paid one working day before.
That means this festive period, if you are due to be paid PIP on Boxing Day, December 27 or December 28, you’ll get paid on December 23.
If you are due to be paid on January 2, 2023, you’ll get paid on December 30.
If you are due to be paid on January 3, 2023, you’ll be paid on January 3 as normal.
However if you live in Scotland and are due to be paid on January 3, 2023, you’ll be paid on December 30.
Christmas Eve and Christmas Day land on the weekend this year, so you’ll get paid your PIP on December 23 if you’re usually paid on the 24 or 25 of the month.
How are PIP payments split up?
PIP payments are split into two parts, the daily living part and the mobility part.
The daily living part is, like the name suggests, to help with daily living costs.
This includes:
eating, drinking or preparing foodwashing, bathing and using the toiletdressing and undressingreading and communicatingmanaging your medicines or treatmentsmaking decisions about moneysocialising and being around other people
Meanwhile, the mobility part is to cover the cost of:
working out a route and following itphysically moving aroundleaving your home
Who’s eligible for PIP?
Government figures from April 2022 show there were around three million people entitled to PIP.
But you’ll only get it if all of the following apply:
you’re 16 or overyou have a long-term physical or mental health condition or disabilityyou have difficulty doing certain everyday tasks or getting aroundyou expect the difficulties to last for at least 12 months from when they startedyou’re under state pension age (66)
You can get PIP alongside other benefits, like Universal Credit.
The only benefit you can’t get alongside PIP is Armed Forces Independence Payment.
You also have to have lived in England, Scotland or Wales for at least two of the last three years and be in one of these countries when applying.
The process is different in Northern Ireland, and there are additional rules if you live abroad or if you’re not a British citizen.
You can also get PIP if you’re working or have savings.
What other help can I get?
In May 2022, the government announced a raft of cost of living support for millions of households.
Those on PIP should already have been given a £150 disability cost of living payment as part of that package.
Plus, in November 2022, Chancellor Jeremy Hunt announced a further round of payments worth up to £1,350 in his Autumn Statement.
That includes a further £150 disability cost of living payment.
While the exact criteria for the second payment hasn’t been confirmed yet, if it matches the first £150 payment that means those on PIP will be in line for a second payment.
Beyond the £150 payment, you might be entitled to help through the Household Support Fund too.
While it’s not guaranteed what type of help you’ll get and whether you’ll be eligible, the money is generally handed out to vulnerable households and those on low incomes.
Residents in Guildford, Surrey, are being invited to apply for help worth up to £400.
The money is handed out by councils, so you’ll have to contact your local authority to see if you could be in line for help.
Also if you’re struggling to pay for energy bills you could be in line for a grant from your supplier.
For a list of the suppliers offering them, and a range of other measures, you can see our guide here.
In other news, millions of grandparents are set to get a pay rise next year as state pension and benefit payments go up.
Plus, nine freebies and discounts you can get including council tax reductions and help with water bills if you’re on PIP.