The roll out of Personal Independence Payment(PIP) for existing claimants of Disability Living Allowance(DLA) is now scheduled from 28/10/2013. This should affect claimants of DLA who either reach 16 , are due renewal of their award or have a change of circumstance after this date. This coincides with a consultation on the criteria for the enhanced rate of the Mobility Component and could be later if the decision on this criteria is delayed.
It can also affect those who are on Disability Living Allowance and want to change over to Personal Independence Payment (PIP) early. From the same date they will be able to request this but we would advise that clients seek independent advise before doing this as awards could go down as well as up.
New claims for PIP of course have been rolled out nationally since June 2013. Very few of you have had decisions on these claims which could lead to the view that the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) are postponing decisions until the rules have been set (the DWP deny this). An exception, where decisions have been made quickly as normal, is for claims under the terminal illness rules.
Click here for our Personal Independence Payment 2013 course which explains this, and other issues, in detail. Claiming PIP is still one of the best ways t0 maximise a client’s benefits.