PERSONAL INDEPENDANT PAYMENTS (P.I.P.)

SCORE SHEET FOR YOUR NEEDS, HOW YOU WILL BE ASSESSED..POINTS

Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
Disability Rights Handbook

This factsheet is a basic overview of PIP. It is based on what we know so far and will be updated as we get more information. You can find out more detailed information about the current benefit system in our Disability Rights Handbook, available at www.disabilityalliance.org/drh36.htm.

What is PIP?

The personal independence payment (PIP) replaces working age disability living allowance (DLA) from April 2013.

PIP will have many similarities with DLA. In particular it will have two components: a daily living component (which has similarities to the current care component) and a mobility component.

Despite the similarities to disability living allowance DA believes that the main intention behind PIP is to save money and that the tests, as laid out in the draft regulations, are more strict.

Part 4 of the Welfare Reform Bill 2011, currently going through Parliament, contains proposals to introduce PIP.
What are the rules?

To get the personal independence payment you must:

be age 16-64 (or below pensionable age, whichever is the higher)
satisfy the daily living and/or mobility activities test for 3 months prior to claiming and be likely to continue to satisfy this test for a period of at least 9 months after claiming.
pass the residence and presence test
pass the habitual residence test

You will not be able to claim PIP once you reach the age of 65 but you will be able to stay on PIP if you claimed/received it before the age cut off point.

You can receive PIP whether you are in or out of work.
How much is PIP?

The amounts of PIP have not been set yet but the personal independence payment will have two components, each with two rates:

Daily living component

standard rate – If you have a limited ability to carry out daily living activities.
enhanced rate – If you have a severely limited ability to carry out daily living activities

Mobility component

standard rate – If you have a limited ability to carry out mobility activities.
enhanced rate - If you have a severely limited ability to carry out mobility activities.

If you have a terminal illness (if you are suffering from a progressive disease where death can be expected within 6 months.) you will automatically receive the daily living component enhanced rate and will not have to satisfy the period condition for the mobility component.

If you are in a care home you will be entitled to the mobility component so long as you satisfy the qualifying conditions.

If you are paid PIP you are free to spend the money in the way that suits you best.
The Activities tests

In order to qualify for any component of PIP you will have score a certain number of points in relation to 11 activities. These are:

Preparing food and drink
Taking nutrition
Managing therapy or monitoring a health condition
Bathing and grooming
Managing toilet needs or incontinence
Dressing and undressing
Communicating
Engaging socially
Making financial decisions
Planning and following a journey
Moving around

The activities 'Planning and following a journey' and 'Moving around' are used in the test for mobility. All the other activities are used in the test for daily living.

You can view a list of all the activities and descriptors as well as a list of definitions in the appendix at the end of this factsheet.

Each activity has a set of descriptors. Points are awarded on the basis of your limitations with respect to each activity.

The proposed entitlement thresholds for the rates and components of the PIP are:

Daily Living component (from activities 1-9)
Standard rate: 8 points
Enhanced rate: 12 points

Mobility component (from activities 10-11)
Standard rate: 8 points
Enhanced rate: 12 points

The choice of which descriptor applies will be based on consideration of a 12 month period. If you cannot carry out the descriptor for an activity for more than 6 months, aggregated over the 12 month period, you will be awarded the appropriate points.

If you have a fluctuating condition the most appropriate descriptor will be considered to be the one which is likely to apply for the greatest proportion of that time.

If you are waiting for further treatment, descriptor choices will be based on the likely continuing impact of the health condition or impairment as if any treatment or further intervention has not occurred.
How will the activities tests be applied?

An independent health professional will look at the evidence contained within your claim. This will include your claim form and medical evidence from your GP or consultant, if you have one.

You are also likely to be asked to attend a face-to-face consultation with the independent health professional. If you are called for one of these you will be able to take someone with you such as a family member, carer or anyone else.

Following this process the independent health professional will give advice to a benefit decision maker at the Department for Work and Pensions who will be the one who actually decides if you are entitled to PIP and which component applies.

The decision maker will also decide the length of your award and the date at which it will be reviewed. The length of award will be based on your needs and the likelihood of your health condition or impairment changing.

Depending on your circumstances you may get a short award of up to 2 years or a longer award lasting up to 5 or 10 years. If you are given a longer award you may still be contacted, during this time, to see if your needs have changed.
Residence tests

The tests for residence and presence will be similar to those used for DLA (see Factsheet F23 - disability living allowance) and will be set out in regulations. However the Government intends to replace the ordinary residence test used in DLA with the habitual residence test used in means tested benefits such as income support and housing benefit (for reference see Factsheet F45 - income support).

[Source: Public Committee debate on the Welfare Reform Bill – 10 May 2011 - Column number 780]
PIP and DLA

If you are currently receiving Disability Living Allowance (DLA) and you are between the ages of 16 and 64 you will be tested under the new benefit rules/conditions for PIP between April 2013 and 2016. If you pass the conditions for PIP you will be moved/migrated onto it. For more information see the timetable for the introduction of PIP below.

Children under 16 may be migrated onto PIP at a later date.

"The Government recognises that the needs of children can be different from those of adults and is committed to learning from the experience of implementing the new benefit for individuals of working age before extending it to children. This means children below age 16 will continue to be able to claim DLA, and we will consult before making any significant changes to these arrangements."

[Source: Personal Independence Payment – Policy briefing note for young people - 21 November 2011]

There are currently no proposals to migrate you onto PIP if you are on attendance allowance or over 65 and claiming DLA.
PIP and carer’s allowance

The Government intends that both the daily living components of PIP will act as a passport to carer’s allowance in the same way as the middle and higher care components of disability living allowance.
Pip and Motability

Currently DLA acts as a passport to help under the Motability Scheme. The Government intends that PIP will work in the same way though as yet it has not been decided whether the highest mobility component or both mobility components will passport you to Motability help.
Pip and transport passports

The Department for Work and Pensions will be working with the Department for Transport (DfT) and the Devolved administrations to see which of the current transport passports will be carried over to PIP. Currently the higher rate mobility component of DLA is a passport to:

automatic qualification for a Blue Badge
eligibility for concessionary travel (free off-peak travel on local buses);
exemption from Vehicle Excise Duty;
the age at which a driver licence can be issued (16 instead of 17); and
exemption from payment for a medical examination for the purpose of obtaining an exemption from wearing seat belts.

Timetable for the introduction of PIP

The timetable for PIP is as follows:

April 2013 – An initial pilot of a few thousand new PIP claims
June 2013 – All new claims will be for PIP.
Autumn 2013 – If you are on working age DLA and you report a change in your condition or your award is due to be renewed you will be reassessed under PIP. A few thousand other cases will be reassessed using random national selection.
Early 2014 - full reassessment as part of rolling schedule using a random national selection.

You will told when your reassessment is due. It is intended that all existing DLA claimants will have been given the opportunity to claim personal independence payment by March 2016.
Where can I get more help or information?

You can view information on the Welfare Reform Bill at www.disabilityalliance.org/welfarereformbill.htm.

The DWP has produced a number of briefing notes on PIP, available at www.dwp.gov.uk/policy/disability/personal-independence-payment/ as well as an information document of frequently asked questions on PIP at www.dwp.gov.uk/docs/personal-independence-payment-faqs.pdf.

DA is considering a potential legal challenge of Government DLA plans. You can find out more at www.disabilityalliance.org/dlachallenge.htm.

This factsheet gives a basic introduction to the proposed personal independence payment (PIP). It is based on what we know so far and will be updated as we get more information.

You can find out detailed information about the current benefit system in Disability Alliance's Disability Rights Handbook, available at www.disabilityalliance.org/drh36.htm.

All our publications are available at www.disabilityalliance.org/shop.htm. You can also place an order by contacting Disability Alliance on 020 7247 8776 (this is not an advice line) or by fax on 020 7247 8765. All our factsheets are available at www.disabilityalliance.org/fact.htm.

DA provides all factsheets for free. To help us maintain this service please donate here. You can also find out other ways in which you can support Disability Alliance at www.disabilityalliance.org/support.htm.

20 January 2012

Disability Alliance

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Appendix: Daily Living Activities and descriptors

Note: The information on these Activities and Descriptors is based on the a second draft of regulations (and the explanatory notes) intended to highlight the Government’s current thinking. They will be subject to further development and consultation. These are available at www.dwp.gov.uk/policy/disability/personal-independence-payment/.
Activity 1. Preparing food and drink

Can prepare and cook a simple meal unaided. - Score 0
Needs to use an aid or appliance to either prepare or cook a simple meal. – Score 2
Cannot cook a simple meal using a conventional cooker but can do so using a microwave. – Score 2
Needs prompting to either prepare or cook a simple meal. - Score 2
Needs supervision to either prepare or cook a simple meal. – Score 4
Needs assistance to either prepare or cook a simple meal. – Score 4
Cannot prepare and cook food and drink at all. - Score 8

Activity 2. Taking nutrition

Can take nutrition unaided. - Score 0
Needs either (i) to use an aid or appliance to take nutrition; or (ii) assistance to cut up food. – Score 2
Needs a therapeutic source to take nutrition. – Score 2
Needs prompting to take nutrition. - Score 4
Needs assistance to manage a therapeutic source to take nutrition. – Score 6
Needs another person to convey food and drink to their mouth. – Score 10

Activity 3.. Managing therapy or monitoring a health condition

Either (i) Does not receive medication, therapy or need to monitor a health condition; or (ii) can manage medication, therapy or monitor a health condition unaided, or with the use of an aid or appliance. – Score 0
Needs supervision, prompting or assistance to manage medication or monitor a health condition. – Score 1
Needs supervision, prompting or assistance to manage therapy that takes up to 3.5 hours a week. – Score 2
Needs supervision, prompting or assistance to manage therapy that takes between 3.5 and 7 hours a week. – Score 4
Needs supervision, prompting or assistance to manage therapy that takes between 7 and 14 hours a week. – Score 6
Needs supervision, prompting or assistance to manage therapy that takes at least 14 hours a week. – Score 8

Activity 4. Bathing and grooming

Can bathe and groom unaided. - Score 0
Needs to use an aid or appliance to groom. – Score 1
Needs prompting to groom. - Score 1
Needs assistance to groom. - Score 2
Needs supervision or prompting to bathe. – Score 2
Needs to use an aid or appliance to bathe. – Score 2
Needs assistance to bathe. - Score 4
Cannot bathe and groom at all. - Score 8

Activity 5. Managing toilet needs or incontinence

Can manage toilet needs or incontinence unaided. – Score 0
Needs to use an aid or appliance to manage toilet needs or incontinence. – Score 2
Needs prompting to manage toilet needs. – Score 2
Needs assistance to manage toilet needs. – Score 4
Needs assistance to manage incontinence of either bladder or bowel. – Score 6
Needs assistance to manage incontinence of both bladder and bowel. – Score 8
Cannot manage incontinence at all. - Score 8

Activity 6. Dressing and undressing

Can dress and undress unaided. - Score 0
Needs to use an aid or appliance to dress or undress. – Score 2
Needs either (i) prompting to dress, undress or determine appropriate circumstances for remaining clothed; or (ii) assistance or prompting to select appropriate clothing. – Score 2
Needs assistance to dress or undress lower body. – Score 3
Needs assistance to dress or undress upper body. – Score 4
Cannot dress or undress at all. - Score 8

Activity 7. Communicating

Can communicate unaided and access written information unaided, or using spectacles or contact lenses. – Score 0
Needs to use an aid or appliance other than spectacles or contact lenses to access written information. – Score 2
Needs to use an aid or appliance to express or understand verbal communication. – Score 2
Needs assistance to access written information. – Score 4
Needs communication support to express or understand complex verbal information. – Score 4
Needs communication support to express or understand basic verbal information. – Score 8
Cannot communicate at all. - Score 12

Activity 8. Engaging socially

Can engage socially unaided. - Score 0
Needs prompting to engage socially. - Score 2
Needs social support to engage socially. - Score 4
Cannot engage socially due to such engagement causing either (i) overwhelming psychological distress to the claimant; or (ii) the claimant to exhibit uncontrollable episodes of behaviour which would result in a substantial risk of harm to the claimant or another person. – Score 8

Activity 9. Making financial decisions

Can manage complex financial decisions unaided. – Score 0
Needs prompting to make complex financial decisions. – Score 2
Needs prompting to make simple financial decisions. – Score 4
Cannot make any financial decisions at all. - Score 6

Mobility Activities and descriptors

Note: The information on these Activities and Descriptors is based on the a second draft of regulations (and the explanatory notes) intended to highlight the Government’s current thinking. They will be subject to further development and consultation. These are available at www.dwp.gov.uk/policy/disability/personal-independence-payment/.
Activity 1. Planning and following a journey

Can plan and follow a journey unaided. - Score 0
Needs prompting for all journeys to avoid overwhelming psychological distress to the claimant. - Score 4
Needs either (i) supervision, prompting or a support dog to follow a journey to an unfamiliar destination; or (ii) a journey to an unfamiliar destination to have been entirely planned by another person. - Score 8
Cannot follow any journey because it would cause overwhelming psychological distress to the claimant. - Score 10
Needs either (i) supervision, prompting or a support dog to follow a journey to a familiar destination; or (ii) a journey to a familiar destination to have been planned entirely by another person. - Score 15

Activity 2. Moving around

Can move at least 200 metres either (i) unaided; or (ii) using an aid or appliance, other than a wheelchair or a motorised device. - Score 0
Can move at least 50 metres but not more than 200 metres either (i) unaided; or (ii) using an aid or appliance, other than a wheelchair or a motorised device. – Score 4
Can move up to 50 metres unaided but no further. – Score 8
Cannot move up to 50 metres without using an aid or appliance, other than a wheelchair or a motorised device. - Score 10
Cannot move up to 50 metres without using a wheelchair propelled by the claimant. - Score 12
Cannot move up to 50 metres without using a wheelchair propelled by another person or a motorised device. – Score 15
Cannot either (i) move around at all; or (ii) transfer unaided from one seated position to another adjacent seated position. Score15

Definitions for activities and descriptors

“aid or appliance” means a device to improve either a physical or mental function or both. It includes a prosthesis but does not include an aid or appliance ordinarily used by a person without a physical or mental condition which limits that person’s ability to carry out daily living or mobility activities;

“assistance” means physical intervention by another person;

“bathe” means clean one’s torso, face, hands and underarms;

“cook” means heat food at or above waist height;

“communicate” means convey and understand information in the claimant’s native language;

“communication support” means-

(a) support from a person trained to communicate with people with specific communication needs: or
(b) support from someone experienced in communicating with the
claimant;

“complex financial decisions” means–

(a) calculating household and personal budgets;
(b) managing and paying bills; and
(c) planning future purchases;

“dress and undress” includes put on and take off socks and slip-on shoes;

“engage socially” means-

(a) interact with others in a contextually and socially appropriate manner;
(b) understand body language; and
(c) establish relationships;

“groom” means-

(a) comb or brush one’s hair;
(b) wash one’s hair; and
(c) clean one’s teeth;

“manage incontinence” means manage evacuation of the bowel or bladder including using a collecting device or self-catheterisation;

“manage medication or therapy” means take medication or undertake therapy, where a failure to do so is likely to result in a deterioration in the claimant’s health;

“medication” means medication prescribed or recommended by a registered doctor, nurse or pharmacist;

“monitor health” means–

(a) detect significant changes in the claimant’s health condition; and
(b) take action advised by a healthcare professional,
without which the claimant’s health is likely to deteriorate;

“overwhelming psychological distress” means distress caused by an enduring mental health condition or an intellectual or cognitive impairment;

“prepare”, in the context of food, means the activities required to make food ready for cooking or eating;

“prompt” means remind or encourage and references to prompting are to prompting by another person;

“simple financial activities” means–

(i) calculating the cost of goods; and
(ii) calculating change required after a purchase;

“simple meal” means a cooked, one course meal for one using fresh ingredients;

“social support” means support from a person trained or experienced in assisting people to engage in social situations;

“supervision” means the continuous presence of another person for the purpose of ensuring the safety of the claimant;

“support dog” means a dog trained to guide or assist a person with a sensory impairment;

“take nutrition” means-

(a) cut food into pieces;
(b) convey food or drink to one’s mouth; and
(c) chew and swallow food or drink; or
(d) take nutrition by using a therapeutic source;

“therapeutic source” means parental or enteral tube feeding using a rate limiting device such as a delivery system or feed pump;

“therapy” means long-term therapy which is–

(a) undertaken at home; and
(b) prescribed or recommended by a registered doctor, nurse, pharmacist or healthcare professional regulated by the Health Professions Council;

“toilet needs” means-

(a) get on and off the toilet; and
(b) clean oneself after using the toilet; and

“unaided” means without-

(a) the use of an aid or appliance; or
(b) assistance, prompting or supervision.