MILLIONS of people claiming the personal independent payment (PIP) benefit can get access to a host of freebies and discounts.
People suffering from a long-term illness, disability or mental health condition get extra help through PIP.
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The maximum you can receive from the Government benefit is £187.45 a week.
The benefit is available to those over 16 and under the state pension age, currently 66.
Importantly, you must have a health condition or disability that has caused difficulties with daily living, mobility, or both for at least three months.
PIP is made up of two parts and whether you get one or both of these depends on how severely your condition affects you.
You may get the mobility part of PIP if you need help going out or moving around.
The weekly rate for this is either £29.20 or £77.05.
On the daily living part of PIP, the weekly rate is either £73.90 or £110.40 – and you could get both elements.
In addition to the benefit itself, receiving PIP can unlock a range of additional perks and discounts, such as Blue Badge parking permits and reductions on council tax.
Here’s a list of nine of them.
Council tax discounts
You might also be able to get a council tax discount if you claim the living or mobility part of PIP.
You’ll have to contact your local authority to find out what discount you’re entitled to and might still have to pay a small amount.
You can find yours by visiting gov.uk/find-local-council.
Your council may ask to see your PIP award letter as proof, so be sure to have it handy.
The amount you’ll get off your bill depends on your personal circumstances and the level of PIP you receive, so it’s worth giving them a call to discuss your situation in detail.
Blue badge
Your PIP award letter can be used to apply for a Blue Badge, although some councils may charge a fee.
The maximum fee is £10 in England and Northern Ireland and £20 in Scotland.
You need to contact your local council to apply for a Blue Badge.
If you receive certain benefits, the process is usually simpler.
Anyone with a disability that limits their ability to walk is eligible for a blue badge.
If you are registered blind or have a disability in your arms you can also get a blue badge.
Blue Badge parking spaces are typically closer to entrances and are often larger for better accessibility.
Holders can park on single or double yellow lines for up to three hours unless there are loading or unloading restrictions.
Benefit boost
If you’re on certain benefits, you might be eligible for top-ups or what’s called a disability premium.
But you’ll need to be receiving one of the following along with PIP to be eligible for top-ups:
- Housing benefit
- Jobseeker’s allowance
- Employment and support allowance
- Pension credit
You should get in touch with the DWP if you’re not sure what help you’re entitled to.
You may need to send them a copy of your PIP award letter.
When you reach state pension age (currently 66) you may also be entitled to attendance allowance if you have health conditions.
How do I apply for PIP?
MOST people who apply for PIP have to do so over the phone or via post.
You’ll need to check your eligibility by visiting gov.uk/pip/eligibility before you make a claim.
To start a claim by phone you’ll need to call the ‘PIP new claims’ line on 0800 917 2222.
You’ll then be sent a form that asks about your condition and you’ll need to fill this in and return it to the DWP.
You might need to have an assessment, if more information is needed.
Before you apply you’ll need the following information at hand:
- Your contact details, for example telephone number
- Your date of birth
- Your National Insurance number, if you have one (you can find this on letters about tax, pensions and benefits)
- Your bank or building society account number and sort code
- Your doctor or health worker’s name, address and telephone number
- Dates and addresses for any time you’ve spent in a care home or hospital
- Dates for any time you spent abroad for more than four weeks at a time, and the countries you visited
Households can also make a claim by post by sending a letter to Freepost DWP PIP 1.
You’ll then be sent a form asking for your personal information, such as your address and your age.
If you apply by phone or post, you’ll usually get a form called ‘How your disability affects you’ within 2 weeks.
Fill in the form using the guidance that comes with it, and return it to the address on the form.
Include supporting documents if you have them – for example, prescription lists, care plans, or information from your doctor or others involved in your care.
You then have one month to return it.
For a small minority who want to check if they’re eligible to apply online, you can do so by visiting apply-for-pip.dwp.gov.uk/eligibility/check-if-eligible.
However, there’s no guarantee that your postcode will make you eligible.
Vehicle tax reduction
If you’re receiving the standard rate mobility component of PIP, currently worth £29.20, you can get a 50% reduction in vehicle tax.
Vehicle tax, also known as road tax, is a fee you must pay to legally use your car on public roads.
Depending on your vehicle, road tax can cost as much as £2,355 a year, meaning a 50% discount could save you over £1,000 annually.
To qualify, the vehicle must be registered in the disabled person’s name or their nominated driver’s name.
To apply for the reduction, you’ll need to make a claim and include the following documents:
- A letter or statement from DWP that shows your PIP rate and the dates you’re getting it
- The vehicle log book (V5C)
- A V10 form
- An original MOT or GVT certificate (if your vehicle needs one)
- A cheque or payable order (made out to “DVLA, Swansea”) for 50% of the full rate of car tax for the vehicle
Send your application and documents to DVLA, Swansea, SA99 1BF.
If you’re on the enhanced rate of PIP, you could qualify for a complete exemption from vehicle tax.
If you’re applying for the first time, you should be able to do it at your local Post Office branch.
To find your nearest branch, visit postoffice.co.uk/branch-finder or phone 0345 722 3344.
Free prescriptions
If you have a disability that makes you eligible for PIP, you may also qualify for free NHS prescriptions.
However, this benefit is not guaranteed and depends on your specific medical condition.
Certain illnesses automatically entitle you to free prescriptions, including cancer, diabetes, and epilepsy.
To access free prescriptions, you’ll need to apply for a medical exemption certificate, which is a card roughly the size of a credit card.
To apply, speak to your doctor and request an FP92A form.
Your doctor will guide you through the process.
Disabled Facilities Grant
You can apply for a Disabled Facilities Grant if you’re disabled and need to make changes to your home to suit your needs.
For example, you might need to widen doors and install ramps or rails.
Or you might need to install a heating system that suits your specific needs.
You can get different amounts of money depending on whether you live in England, Wales or Northern Ireland.
The grants are not available for households in Scotland.
If you live in Wales you can get up to £36,000 worth of support, £30,000 in England and up to £25,000 in Northern Ireland.
You have to apply through your local council which must give you a decision within six months.
Disabled person’s railcard
This could give you up to a third off rail fares – roughly £4.40 per journey or £113 per year.
Whether the railcard is worth it depends on how often you travel by train.
To find out how to apply, contact your local council and be sure to have your PIP award letter ready.
Once you’ve got the necessary information, you can apply for the railcard directly on the National Rail website by visiting disabledpersons-railcard.co.uk.
Capped water bills
Some water suppliers provide assistance with bills for customers on certain benefits through the WaterSure scheme.
This may include individuals receiving Disability Living Allowance (DLA) or PIP.
To qualify, you must either have a water meter installed or have applied for one, and demonstrate a high water usage need.
This could apply if someone in your household has a medical condition that requires significant water consumption.
It’s important to note that not everyone will be eligible under the scheme.
The best course of action is to contact your water supplier directly to check if you qualify for support.
Lease a vehicle with PIP cash
If you are awarded the enhanced rate of the mobility component of PIP and have at least 12 months remaining on your current allowance, you may be eligible to join the Motability Scheme.
The scheme is straightforward and cost-effective, offering access to over 2,000 vehicles with insurance, tax, and servicing all included.
To learn more about joining the scheme and explore the range of available vehicles, you can request an information pack from the Motability Scheme website.
Discounted days out and memberships
If you’re receiving PIP, you could be eligible for discounts on days out and memberships.
Many companies provide reduced rates for individuals on benefits, offering savings on activities such as cinema trips, theatre performances, art gallery visits, and even train and bus travel.
The disability charity Scope has a helpful guide outlining some of the discounts available.
To learn more, visit their website at scope.org.uk/advice-and-support/free-discount-event-pa.
