The suck eggs page

What is PIP?

A disability benefit

What does it replace?

Disability Living Allowance

Doesn’t apply toXChildren under the age of 16

Claimants over 65

Timetable for change8 April 2013 New claims for PIP to be introduced from this date in most of Northern England. No new working age claims for DLA in this area.

10 June 2013Subject to evaluation of the new claim processes, it is intended that PIP will be introduced for new claims throughout the UK.

7 October 2013The transfer of existing working age DLA claimants begins for three groups:• those whose existing DLA award ends;• claimants who report a change in their circumstances; or• those who reach the age of 16.

DLA claimants can also voluntarily claim PIP from this date, if they are under 65 on 8th April 2013

October 2015 Transfer of claimants with indefinite or longer term awards to PIP begins.

October 2017 All working age DLA claimants should have been contacted and invited to claim PIP by this month.

Similarities with DLA

Paid as a contribution to the extra costs arising due to disability

Non means tested, non-contributory, not taxable

Claimed by people in or out of work

Daily living (care) component and mobility component

Passporting to e.g. Blue Badge and Carer’s Allowance

Special rules still apply for people who are terminally ill

Differences from DLA

Claims in two parts. Initial contact on the phone then form sent out.

Different qualifying times (3 month pre claim 9 month post claim)

Only two levels for daily living as opposed to three for DLA care

In most cases the assessment will involve a face to face consultation

“A fair, more objective and transparent assessment of individuals by a health professional will be introduced for PIP”

Required period conditions

months pre condition

months post condition

No required period for those on

special rules

Standard rate

£53

Standard rate

£21

Enhanced rate

£79.15

Enhanced rate

£55.25

Daily Living Mobility

Daily Living Descriptors

Activity Poss points

Preparing food 0-8

Taking nutrition 0-10

Managing therapy or monitoring a health condition

0-8

Washing and bathing

0-8

Managing toilet needs or incontinence

0-8

Dressing and undressing

0-8

Activity Poss points

Communicating verbally

0-12

Reading and understanding signs, symbols and words

0-8

Engaging with other people face to face

0-8

Making budgeting decisions

0-6

Mobility Descriptors

Activity Possible points

Going out 0-12

Moving around 0-12

Standard rate

Enhanced rate

points

points

Activity 1 – Preparing food

This activity considers a claimant’s ability to prepare a simple meal. This is not a reflection of a claimant’s cooking skills but instead a consideration of the impact of impairment on ability to perform the tasks required. It assesses ability to open packaging, serve food, peel and chop food and use a microwave oven or cooker hob to cook or heat food. Notes: Preparing food means the activities required to make food ready for cooking and eating, such as peeling and chopping. Cooking food means heating food at above waist height – for example, using a microwave oven or on a cooker hob. It does not consider the ability to bend down – for example, to access an oven. A simple meal is a cooked one-course meal for one from fresh ingredients. Packaging includes tins, which may require the use of a tin opener. In this activity aids and appliances could include, for example, prostheses, perching stool, lightweight pots and pans, easy grip handles on utensils and single lever arm taps. Pre-chopped vegetables are not considered an aid or appliance. However, a claimant who is reliant on them because they would be unable to peel or chop fresh vegetables may be considered as requiring an aid or appliance or support from another person to complete the activity.

A Can prepare and cook a simple meal unaided. 0

B Needs to use an aid or appliance to be able to either prepare or cook a simple meal.

2

C Cannot cook a simple meal using a conventional cooker but is able to do so using a microwave.

2

For example: may apply to claimants who cannot safely use a cooker hob and hot pans.

D Needs prompting to be able to either prepare or cook a simple meal. 2

For example: may apply to claimants who lack motivation, who need to be reminded how to prepare and cook food or who are unable to ascertain if food is within date.

E Needs supervision or assistance to be able to either prepare or cook a simple meal.

4

For example: may apply to claimants who need supervision to prepare and cannot safely use a microwave oven; or to claimants who cannot prepare or safely heat food

F Cannot prepare and cook food. 8

Activity 12 – Moving around

This activity considers a claimant’s physical ability to move around without severe discomfort such as breathlessness, pain or fatigue. This includes the ability to stand and then move up to 20 metres, up to 50 metres, up to 200 metres and over 200 metres. Notes: This activity should be judged in relation to a type of surface normally expected out of doors such as pavements on the flat and includes the consideration of kerbs. 20 metres is considered to be the distance that a claimant is required to be able to repeatedly walk in order to achieve a basic level of independence in the home. 50 metres is considered to be the distance that a claimant is required to be able to repeatedly walk in order to achieve a basic level of independence outdoors. 50 to 200 metres is considered to be the distance that a claimant is required to be able to repeatedly walk in order to achieve a higher level of independence outdoors. Standing means to stand upright with at least one biological foot on the ground with or without suitable aids and appliances (note – a prosthesis is considered an appliance so a claimant with a unilateral prosthetic leg may be able to stand whereas a bilateral lower limb amputee would be unable to stand under this definition). “Stand and then move” requires an individual to stand and then move independently while remaining standing. It does not include a claimant who stands and then transfers into a wheelchair or similar device. Individuals who require a wheelchair or similar device to move a distance should not be considered able to stand and move that distance. Aids or appliances that a person uses to support their physical mobility may include walking sticks, crutches and prostheses. When assessing whether the activity can be carried out reliably, consideration should be given to the manner in which they do so. This includes but is not limited to, their gait, their speed, the risk of falls and symptoms or side effects that could affect their ability to complete the activity, such as pain, breathlessness and fatigue. However, for this activity this only refers to the physical act of moving. For example, danger awareness is considered as part of activity 11.

A Can stand and then move more than 200 metres. 0

B Can stand and then move more than 50 metres but no more than 200 metres 4

C Either aided or unaided, can stand and then move unaided more than 20 metres but no more than 50 metres 8

D Either aided or unaided, can stand and then move using an aid or appliance more than 20 metres but no more than 50 metres.

10

For example, this would include people who can stand and move more than 20 metres but no further than 50 metres, but need to use an aid or appliance such as a stick or crutch to do so.

E Can stand and then move more than 1 metre but no more than 20 metres. 12

F Cannot – stand; or move at all; or move more than 1 metre.

12

Reliability

To reliably complete an activity the claimant must be able to do so:

• Safely- in a fashion that is unlikely to cause harm to themselves or to another person

• To an acceptable standard- given the nature of the activity

• Repeatedly- as often as is reasonably required

• In a timely manner- in a reasonably time period

For a descriptor to score it needs to apply for more than

50%

of the days in the 12 month

qualifying period

Adding together descriptors in an activity to make 50%Example

Percy satisfies for Activity 6 dressing and undressing

• Descriptor A 10% of the time

• Descriptor B 30% of the time

• Descriptor D 15% of the time

The points scored on Descriptor B would apply

How does the claim process

work?

Stage 1 Thinking about claiming

Information should be available from a range of sources and organisations

Existing DLA claimants will be contacted individually and asked if they want to claim PIP

Stage 2 Making a claim

Claimants phone DWP to claim (online claims planned from Spring 2014)

This involves an identity check and some basic questions

DWP will send claimants a form where they can explain how their disability affects them

Stage 3 Telling the story

Claimant completes

“How your disability affects you”

form to explain how their condition affects their daily life, both on good and bad days and over a range of activities

Supporting evidence can be sent with this form

Stage 4 Assessment

Claim details, form and supporting evidence are passed to the health professional

Most people will have a face to face consultation

The health professional reviews the claim against the descriptors to “assess the challenges faced by the individual”

Stage 5 Decision

DWP Case Manager makes decision using all available evidence

Will decide on any entitlement and the length and level of the award

Is there a right of appeal?

There will be a right of appeal to a First tier Tribunal

BUTThere will probably need to be a revision first before the claimant can appeal