Benefit claimants can get huge discounts on some costs
PIP claimants could be missing out on extra support they are entitled to. Benefits experts have warned many people that DWP disability claimants simply don’t know about the extra help they can get.
PIP (Personal Independence Payment) is a disability benefit awarded to people to help cover the extra costs of living with an illness, disability or mental health condition. You get varying rates of payment depending on how much your condition affects you, up to £749.80 each four-week pay period. Rebecca Lamb, external relations manager at Money Wellness, warned that people on disability benefits often miss out on extra support that is out there.
She said: “A lot of people on disability benefits miss out on support simply because they don’t know it exists. Many on PIP, DLA, or Attendance Allowance get letters full of jargon and aren’t told about linked benefits, so they assume they won’t qualify or just don’t spot the information. That can mean hundreds of pounds a year going unclaimed.”
One scheme you may not know about is the Disabled Persons Railcard, with the eligibility for this recently expanding. The railcard offers a third off railway tickets for the cardholder and an adult companion. Cardholders save on average £126 a year, or £4.70 per journey.
The cost is £20 for a one-year railcard, or £54 for three years, which works out at £18 a year. Even under the previous rules, people on many disability benefits qualified. This includes people on PIP, Adult Disability Payment in Scotland, Disability Living Allowance or Child Disability Payment.
You can also get the railcard if you receive Attendance Allowance, Severe Disablement Allowance or Pension Age Disability Payment. Ms Lamb warned that many claimants don’t know they can access the travel discounts scheme.
She said: “Lots of people don’t realise they’re eligible. Now that the scheme is expanding to include Blue Badge holders and people medically unable to drive, even more could benefit. But only if they know about it.”
Simple reminders
She spoke about how efforts to raise awareness of these schemes could be improved. Ms Lamb urged: “Simple reminders on benefit letters, GP surgeries, or council bulletins could make a big difference.
“People can also use online benefit checkers – like ours – which show everything they’re entitled to in one place. It’s not just the railcard. Support with council tax, energy bills, bus passes, and Blue Badge parking can really add up and make day-to-day life easier.”
She urged claimants to reach out for help if they need it. Ms Lamb said: “Many of these schemes are overlooked, and better signposting would definitely help when benefits are awarded. If someone isn’t sure what they qualify for, the best thing to do is ask. Even small amounts of extra support can make a real difference in daily life.”
