An introduction to Personal Independence Payment for support organisations and advisers

1. An introduction to Personal Independence Paymentfor support organisationsand advisers November 2012

2. A new benefit for disabled people is being introduced • Personal Independence Payment (PIP) will replace DLA for eligible claimants aged 16 to 64 from 8 April 2013 • This includes all new claims and existing DLA claimants aged 16 to 64 on the day PIP is introduced • It is part of a wider reform of the welfare system • It remains non means tested and non taxable, and is payable both in and out of work • It will include an assessment of individual needs and introduces more consistent use of supporting evidence

3. PIP is designed to help with additional costs • PIP is to help towards some of the extra costs arising from ill health or disability • It is based on how a claimant’s condition affects them not on what condition they have • There is a three month qualifying period (the time a condition or ill health has existed before a claim is made) and a nine month prospective test (the amount of time a condition or ill health is expected to last when a claim is made) • Awards will be reviewed to make sure the assessment continues to reflect the claimant’s needs • Reviews will be at appropriate intervals depending on how likely it is for their condition or impairment to change

4. PIP is for working age people • PIP is for people aged from 16 to 64 on or after 8 April 2013 • This includes existing DLA claimants who have an indefinite or ‘lifetime’ award • Children (up to 16 years of age) will carry on getting DLA • DWP will contact the parent or guardian of a child before their 16th birthday to let them know they should consider claiming PIP • People aged 65 or over on 8 April 2013 will continue to get DLA as long as they remain eligible • People receiving Attendance Allowance will not be affected by the introduction of PIP

5. February 2013 April 2013 June 2013 October 2013 Spring 2016 PIP will be introduced from April 2013 to Spring 2016 Reassessment to PIP starts for existing DLA claimants. DWP will write to remaining DLA claimants at some point before Spring 2016. The letter will let them know that their DLA is due to end and explain how they can make a claim to PIP. The first letters will be received from August 2013. From now on if an existing DLA claimant (aged 16 to 64 on 08 April 2013) reports a change in their condition, or their fixed term is due to expire they will be reassessed for PIP – unless they have already received a DLA renewal letter (which are sent well in advance of the review date). New claims to PIP will start for the remaining parts of the UK. There will be no new claims to DLA for people aged 16 to 64. New claims to PIP start for people living in Cheshire, Cumbria, Merseyside, North East England and North West England. When a DLA claim is received from this area, it will be treated as a claim to PIP instead. DLA new claims continue in all other parts of the country and for existing DLA claimants. DWP will send general information about PIP to all existing DLA claimants in their DLA uprating letters. DLA claimants don’t need to take any action as a result of this letter. All DLA claimants aged 16 to 64 will have been contacted about reassessment by this point.

6. PIP has two components with two different rates PIP has two components with two different rates Personal Independence Payment is made up of a: • Daily living component • Mobility component Awards will be made up of one or both of these components Each component will have two rates: • Standard • Enhanced The amount for each rate is still to be decided

7. The assessment criteria are designed to be objective The criteria DWP will use to assess people against for PIP will: • Assess disabled people as individuals • Focus on the impact that their health condition or impairment has on their daily lives • Consider the individual’s ability to carry out key everyday activities • Take account of physical, sensory, mental, intellectual and cognitive impairments and developmental needs • Reflect variable and fluctuating conditions They take into account whether activities can be carried out: • Reliably • Repeatedly • Safely, and • In a timely manner

8. The proposed entitlement threshold is the level of points needed to make an award of PIP Subject to change as the result of consultation

9. 1 Thinking about claiming Information about PIP will available from a range of sources, including online, via leaflets and through support organisations. This will explain the eligibility criteria and help the claimant decide if they want to claim PIP. Existing DLA claimants will be contacted individually to ask if they want to claim PIP. There are five key stages to claiming PIP 2 Making a claim Claimants (or those supporting them) phone DWP to make a claim for PIP. This involves an identity check and some basic questions. Paper claims won’t normally be used, and online claims should be available from Spring 2014. Additional support, such as provision of alternative formats will be available. A ‘How your disability affects you’ form is then posted to the claimant. Telling your story 3 Claimant completes the ‘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, which they return to DWP by post. 4 Assessment Claim details, form and supporting evidence are passed to the health professional. Most people will be asked to attend a face to face consultation unless a decision can be reached on the basis of written evidence. Claimants can take someone along for support, this will provide the opportunity to explain their support needs in their own words. Home visits will be available when necessary. The health professional reviews the claim against a set of clear descriptors to assess the challenges faced by the individual. Decision 5 A DWP Case Manager will use all the information in the claim form, from the health professional and anything else that has been provided. They will make a reasoned decision on entitlement, including the level and length of award.

10. Existing DLA working age claimants will be asked if they want to claim PIP • Existing DLA recipients who are aged between 16 and 64 years old on 08 April 2013 (the day that PIP is introduced) will need to decide if they want to make a claim for PIP • DWP will write to individuals between August 2013 and Spring 2016 to let them know that their DLA is due to end, and explain how they can make a claim to PIP • From October 2013, existing DLA claimants that report a change in their condition or reach the end of a fixed term award will need to claim PIP at that point • If a claimant’s award ends before October 2013 or they have a change in their condition DLA will be reviewed as normal. Claimants will then be picked up in the random selection for PIP from October 2013 onwards • Existing claimants do not need to take any action now

11. There will be an individual assessment • The PIPassessment will involve health professionals who consider the evidence provided by the claimant, along with any further medical evidence • Most people will be asked to a face to face consultation with this health professional as part of the claim process • Claimants can take somebody with them to the consultation • Home visits will be available when necessary • People with severe health conditions or those who are terminally ill are unlikely to be asked to go to a face to face consultation • The health professional will provide advice to a DWPbenefit Case Manager • The DWP Case Manager will then use all of this information to decide entitlement to PIP

12. There may be an impact on other benefits and services The reassessment of DLA to PIP, or a new award of PIP may affect other benefits and services including: • Tax Credits (Disability premium up to age 20 where applicable and severe disablement allowance • Disabled Child premium Up to age 20 • The Enhanced disability premium (currently payable for DLA Highest rate Care awards) • The Blue Badge scheme • Carers Allowance • The Motability scheme • Public transport concessions, e.g. Freedom Passes • Housing Benefit • Council Tax Benefit DWP intend to maintain existing passporting arrangements, wherever possible

13. You can find more information online More information on PIP for claimants can be found on the Gov.uk internet site: www.gov.uk/personal-independence-payment