Key changes to benefits are coming in very soon
The DWP has issued an update regarding PIP (Personal Independence Payment). The benefit assists people living with a long-term health condition or disability, providing up to £750 each four-week pay period.
DWP minister Torsten Bell addressed the Work and Pensions Committee about raising the state pension age, and the Government’s measures to support people required to work longer as a consequence. The access age is rising from 66 to 67 between April 2026 and April 2028. Further legislation is in place for another increase to 68 between 2044 and 2046.
Mr Bell was questioned about those nearing retirement age who may find it difficult to work due to health conditions, and what assistance is available to them. In his reply, he discussed the support available to people of working age: “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’re nearing state pension age while managing a health condition, it could be worthwhile investigating whether you qualify for this support.
PIP offers assistance towards the additional expenses of living with a health condition or disability. The benefit is not means-tested. The payment comprises a daily living component and a mobility component, each with lower and higher rates determined by your requirements.
You may receive one component while not qualifying for the other.
How much is PIP worth?
Here are the present weekly amounts for PIP, which will rise by 1.7 per cent in April, alongside other benefits:
Daily living element
- Lower – £73.90
- Higher – £110.40
Mobility element
- Lower – £29.20
- Higher – £77.05
If you are of state pension age and you have a health condition, you might be able to apply for Attendance Allowance if you require assistance from another person with your care. This pays either £73.90 or £110.40 weekly.
You may also want to verify your eligibility for Pension Credit, which is open to those of state pension age with a low income. This supplements your earnings and grants access to other Government assistance, with the typical claim worth £4,300 annually in support.
