DWP confirms 20-week average processing time for new PIP claims
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has confirmed that the average processing time for new claims for Personal Independence Payment (PIP) is now 20 weeks. In a written response to Labour MP Damien Egan, Minister for Social Security and Disability Sir Stephen Timms said the Department is “working closely with our assessment suppliers to increase assessment capacity and reduce waiting times”. He explained how this includes “recruitment and training of additional health professionals and a series of process improvements to streamline the assessment journey”. This means someone making a new claim for PIP this month could have an award decision by the end of November.
It’s important to be aware Adult Disability Payment (ADP) has replaced PIP for all claimants in Scotland, providing additional support for over half a million people. ADP applications are processed by Social Security Scotland. The average time to process a new claim for ADP is now 62 working days, just over 12 weeks. This means people making a new claim in July could have an award decision before the end of September, although some applications can take shorter or longer to process.
PIP and ADP payment rates and eligibility
A successful claim for PIP is worth between £30.30 and £194.60 a week, with payments made in arrears every four weeks. At the end of April, PIP and ADP were providing financial support of up to £778.40 every four weeks to 4.5 million people across Great Britain. PIP is made up of two components: daily living and mobility. Whether you get one or both and how much depends on how severely your condition affects you. You will be paid the following amounts per week depending on your circumstances: daily living standard rate £76.70, enhanced rate £114.60; mobility standard rate £30.30, enhanced rate £80.00.
To be eligible for PIP or ADP, you must have a health condition or disability where you have had difficulties with daily living or getting around (or both) for 3 months and expect these difficulties to continue for at least 9 months. You usually need to have lived in the UK for at least two of the last three years and be in the country when you apply. If you get or need help with any of the following because of your condition, you should consider applying: preparing, cooking or eating food; managing your medication; washing, bathing or using the toilet; dressing and undressing; engaging and communicating with other people; reading and understanding written information; making decisions about money; planning a journey or following a route; moving around.
Most commonly recorded disabling conditions for PIP
The five most commonly recorded disabling conditions for PIP are: psychiatric disorder (39% of claims), musculoskeletal disease (general) (19% of claims), neurological disease (13% of claims), musculoskeletal disease (regional) (12% of claims), and respiratory disease (4% of claims). Many people may be unaware PIP and ADP can provide support for hundreds of health conditions (over 530). Both benefits could help people with daily living tasks or moving around, or both. However, an award for the disability benefit is determined by how a person’s health condition affects their ability to perform daily living tasks such as cooking, washing, eating, dressing and engaging with other people in a safe and timely way. There are also awards to help if you have difficulty moving around.
How PIP and ADP are assessed and paid
You will be assessed by an independent healthcare professional to help the DWP determine the level of financial support for PIP. Face-to-face consultations for health-related benefits are offered alongside video calls, telephone and paper-based assessments - it's important to be aware the health professional and DWP determine which type of assessment is best suited for each claimant. Adult Disability Payment assessments will not involve face-to-face assessments, unless this is preferred by the claimant. PIP and ADP are usually paid every four weeks unless you are terminally ill, in which case it is paid weekly. It will be paid directly into your bank, building society or credit union account. ADP is paid at the same rates as PIP.
You can make a new PIP claim by contacting the DWP. Before you call, you will need: your contact details, your date of birth, your National Insurance number, your bank or building society account number and sort code, your doctor or health worker’s name, address and telephone number, and dates and addresses for any time you’ve spent abroad, in a care home or hospital. People can apply for ADP over the phone, by post or in-person. To find out more or apply, visit the dedicated pages on mygov.scot or call Social Security Scotland on 0800 182 2222.
