Skip to main content

What is Personal Independence Payment (PIP) & Attendance Allowance?

What is Personal Independence Payment (PIP) & Attendance Allowance?

Find A Professional

More Items From Ergsy search


Understanding PIP and Attendance Allowance

What is Personal Independence Payment (PIP)?

Personal Independence Payment (PIP) is a benefit in the United Kingdom designed to help individuals with some of the extra costs associated with a long-term illness, disability, or mental health condition. It is replacing the Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for people over 16 and under the State Pension age. PIP is intended for those who need help with daily living activities or getting around due to their condition.

PIP is assessed through a points-based system, where various activities and how your condition affects your ability to perform them are evaluated. The payment consists of two components: the daily living component and the mobility component. Each component has a standard and an enhanced rate, depending on the severity of the claimant’s needs.

Eligibility for PIP is determined through a personal assessment carried out by a health professional where claimants may need to attend a face-to-face consultation. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) makes the final decision on eligibility and payment levels based on the assessment report. Claimants must continue to meet the eligibility criteria to keep receiving PIP, as the DWP reviews claims regularly.

What is Attendance Allowance?

Attendance Allowance is a benefit for people in the UK who are of State Pension age and have a disability severe enough that they require someone to assist with personal care. Unlike PIP, Attendance Allowance is not available to people younger than the State Pension age.

The benefit is designed to help cover the additional costs of disability and to assist with maintaining independence in daily life. It does not require the claimant to have a carer or someone else to assist them; simply, the need for assistance is sufficient for claiming the allowance. The payment is made at two different rates: a lower rate and a higher rate, determined by the level of care required.

There is no requirement for a face-to-face assessment for receiving Attendance Allowance. Instead, the application involves completing a detailed form to describe the help needed. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) makes the decision based on the information provided and any medical evidence submitted.

Both PIP and Attendance Allowance are crucial for supporting individuals living with disabilities or health conditions, enabling them to cover extra costs and live more independently. Each has specific eligibility criteria, reflecting the target demographic’s particular needs, and both are instrumental in maintaining quality of life for eligible individuals across the UK.

Understanding PIP and Attendance Allowance

What is Personal Independence Payment (PIP)?

Personal Independence Payment, or PIP, is money from the government in the UK. It helps people who have a long-term illness, disability, or mental health condition. PIP is for people who need extra help because they have trouble with daily activities or moving around.

When you apply for PIP, they use a points system to see how much help you need. You can get help for daily living and for getting around. Each type has two levels: standard and enhanced, depending on how much help you need.

To get PIP, you must go through an assessment with a health professional. Sometimes, this means going to a meeting to talk about your needs. The Department for Work and Pensions, or DWP, decides if you get PIP and how much money you will receive. They look at your needs regularly to make sure you still qualify.

What is Attendance Allowance?

Attendance Allowance is money for people in the UK who are old enough to get a State Pension and have a severe disability. This means you need someone to help take care of you. It is for people who are too old for PIP.

Attendance Allowance helps with extra costs due to disability. You don’t need to have someone helping you all the time to get this money. You just need to show you need help. There are two levels of payment: a lower rate and a higher rate. The level depends on how much care you need.

You don't need a meeting to get Attendance Allowance. Instead, you fill out a form about your needs. The DWP decides based on your form and any doctor’s notes you might have.

PIP and Attendance Allowance are important. They help people with disabilities to pay for extra costs. This helps them live more independently. Both have specific rules for who can get them. They help make life better for people across the UK.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Personal Independence Payment (PIP)?

Personal Independence Payment (PIP) is a UK benefit designed to help people with the extra costs of a long-term health condition or disability.

Who can claim PIP?

PIP is available to individuals aged 16 to 64 who have a long-term health condition or disability causing difficulties with daily living or mobility.

How is PIP assessed?

PIP assessment involves a face-to-face consultation and evaluates how your condition affects your daily living and mobility activities.

What are the components of PIP?

PIP has two components: the daily living component and the mobility component. Each component can be paid at either a standard or enhanced rate.

What is Attendance Allowance?

Attendance Allowance is a UK benefit for people over State Pension age who need help with personal care due to a mental or physical disability.

Who is eligible for Attendance Allowance?

To be eligible for Attendance Allowance, you must be over State Pension age and have a disability or illness that requires care or supervision.

How is Attendance Allowance different from PIP?

Attendance Allowance is for those over State Pension age, while PIP is for individuals aged 16 to 64. Attendance Allowance does not consider mobility needs.

Can you claim PIP and Attendance Allowance at the same time?

No, you cannot claim PIP and Attendance Allowance at the same time, as PIP is for those aged 16 to 64 and Attendance Allowance is for those over State Pension age.

What are the rates for Attendance Allowance?

Attendance Allowance is paid at two rates: a lower rate for those needing help during the day or night, and a higher rate for those needing help both day and night.

How do you apply for PIP?

You can apply for PIP by contacting the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and completing the necessary forms detailing your condition and how it affects you.

How do you apply for Attendance Allowance?

You apply for Attendance Allowance by filling out a claim form, which can be obtained from the UK government website or by contacting the DWP.

How long does it take to get a PIP decision?

The decision on a PIP claim can take several weeks or months, depending on the complexity of the case and the time taken for assessments.

How long does Attendance Allowance last?

Attendance Allowance is usually awarded for an indefinite period, but it can be reviewed if your circumstances change.

Are there age restrictions for PIP?

Yes, PIP is for people aged 16 to 64. Those over State Pension age may apply for Attendance Allowance instead.

Can Attendance Allowance be used for mobility needs?

No, Attendance Allowance does not cover mobility needs. It focuses on personal care needs due to a disability or illness.

What happens if my PIP claim is denied?

If your PIP claim is denied, you can request a mandatory reconsideration from the DWP and, if necessary, appeal the decision at a tribunal.

Does Attendance Allowance affect other benefits?

Attendance Allowance can potentially increase other benefits, such as Pension Credit and Housing Benefit, by allowing for additional premiums.

Can PIP affect my taxes?

No, PIP is not considered income for tax purposes and does not affect your tax liabilities.

Does Attendance Allowance have a means-test?

No, Attendance Allowance is not means-tested, and your income or savings do not affect your eligibility.

Can I get help preparing my PIP claim?

Yes, organizations like Citizens Advice can provide assistance in preparing your PIP claim and ensuring all necessary information is included.

What is Personal Independence Payment (PIP)?

PIP is money from the government. It helps people who have trouble doing everyday things because they are sick or have a disability.

If you need extra help, you can apply for PIP. It can help you pay for things you need.

You can ask someone you trust to help you fill out the forms. You can also talk to a support worker or call a helpline for guidance.

Personal Independence Payment, or PIP, is money from the UK government. It helps people who have extra costs because they have a long-term health problem or disability.

Who can get PIP?

PIP can help people who are between 16 and 64 years old. It is for those who have a health problem or disability that makes everyday tasks or moving around hard.

How Do People Check PIP?

The PIP check-up is a meeting where you talk with someone in person. They want to see how your health makes it hard for you to do everyday things and get around.

What are the parts of PIP?

PIP is money to help if you have a problem doing things because you are sick or disabled. PIP has two parts:

  • Daily Living: This part helps with everyday things like eating, washing, or dressing.
  • Mobility: This part helps if you need help moving around or going out.

You might get both parts or just one part. It's important to get help if you find these things hard. You can ask someone you trust to help or use online tools to learn more.

PIP has two parts: the daily living part and the mobility part. Each part can be paid at a standard rate or at an enhanced rate.

Here are some tips to help understand this better:

  • Use simple words when you talk or think about it.
  • Break it down into small pieces to make it easier to understand.
  • Ask someone for help if you’re not sure about something.

What is Attendance Allowance?

Attendance Allowance is money from the government. It helps people who are old and need extra help. You can use this money for things like having someone visit you, or to help you stay safe at home.

Here is how it works:
- You need to be 65 years or older.
- You need help because you have an illness or disability.

Some tips to help you:
- You can ask a family member about Attendance Allowance.
- You can call a helpline for information.

Attendance Allowance is money from the UK government. It helps people who are older and need extra care. This might be because they have problems with their body or mind. It is for people who are old enough to get a State Pension.

Who can get Attendance Allowance?

Attendance Allowance is money to help you if you need support. You might get it if:

  • You have a disability or illness.
  • You are 65 years old or older.

If you think you might get Attendance Allowance, you can ask for help. Someone can help you fill out the form. Tools like a magnifying glass or screen reader might be useful too.

To get Attendance Allowance, you must be older than State Pension age. You also need to have a disability or illness. This means you need help or someone to look after you.

For more help, you can use tools like text-to-speech software. This can read out loud for you.

What is the difference between Attendance Allowance and PIP?

Here is how Attendance Allowance and PIP are different:

  • Attendance Allowance: This is money for people who are older and might need extra help because of a disability or health problem. It is for people who are State Pension age or older.
  • PIP (Personal Independence Payment): This is money for people who need extra help because of a long-term illness or disability. It is for people who are younger than State Pension age but older than 16.

To learn more, you can:

  • Talk to someone who knows about benefits, like a social worker.
  • Use a computer to look up information or find videos that explain benefits.
  • Ask a family member or friend to help you understand more.

Attendance Allowance is a payment for people over the age for State Pension. PIP is a payment for people aged 16 to 64. Attendance Allowance does not look at if you need help moving around.

Can you get PIP and Attendance Allowance together?

PIP stands for Personal Independence Payment. It helps people with disabilities who are aged 16 to 64.

Attendance Allowance helps older people with disabilities, usually aged 65 and over.

You cannot get both PIP and Attendance Allowance at the same time.

If you are unsure which one to get, ask someone for help. You can speak with a family member, friend, or a support worker.

There are also helplines and online tools that can give advice. They can help you understand what you can apply for.

No, you can't get both PIP and Attendance Allowance at the same time. PIP is for people aged 16 to 64. Attendance Allowance is for people over the State Pension age.

How much money can you get with Attendance Allowance?

Here is how much you can get:

  • Lower rate: You get this if you need help in the day OR at night.
  • Higher rate: You get this if you need help in the day AND at night.

If you need help, ask a friend or family member to read this with you.

Attendance Allowance is money you can get if you need help because of a disability. There are two amounts you can get: a small amount if you need help during the day or at night, and a bigger amount if you need help during both the day and the night.

Here are some tips to help you understand and remember this:

  • Break the information into small parts.
  • Use pictures or drawings to show day and night.
  • Ask someone to read it with you and explain.
  • Use a calendar to mark when you need help.

How do you apply for PIP?

You can ask for PIP by calling the PIP claim line. PIP stands for Personal Independence Payment. It helps with extra costs if you have a long-term health condition or disability.

You need to give some information when you call, like your name, address, and National Insurance number. You might need a pencil and paper to write some things down.

If you find phone calls hard, you can ask someone you trust to help you. They can make the call for you.

There are also websites and videos that can show you how to do it step by step. These can help if you like learning by watching or reading. Some people also use speaking text apps to read information out loud for them.

You can ask for PIP money by talking to the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). You will need to fill out some forms about your condition and how it makes things hard for you.

How do you apply for Attendance Allowance?

Do you need help with daily activities because of illness or disability? You can get money called Attendance Allowance.

To apply for Attendance Allowance, follow these steps:

  1. Get the form. You can call 0800 731 0122 to ask for a form. You can also download it from the government website.
  2. Fill in the form. Ask someone to help if it's hard. Explain how your illness or disability makes daily life difficult.
  3. Send the form. Use the envelope that comes with the form, or send it to the address on the form.

Helpful tips:

  • Have a friend or family member read the questions with you.
  • Use a computer or phone for voice-to-text features if writing is hard.

You can ask for Attendance Allowance by filling out a form. You can get this form from the UK government website, or you can call the DWP to get one.

How long will it take to get a PIP decision?

PIP means Personal Independence Payment. It is money for people who need extra help because they are sick or have a disability.

It can take a while to get a PIP decision. Usually, it takes about 3 months. Sometimes it can be faster or slower.

If you want to check how your PIP is going, you can call the DWP (Department for Work and Pensions).

Ask someone you trust to help you with making the call if you need it.

You can use a calendar to keep track of any important dates.

It can take a long time to hear about your PIP claim. You might have to wait weeks or even months. It depends on how hard your case is and how long it takes to do tests.

How long does Attendance Allowance last?

Attendance Allowance can last a long time, but it depends. The government might check if you still need it after a while.

You can get help to understand this:

  • Ask a family member to explain it.
  • Use a text-to-speech tool to read it out loud.
  • Find easy videos online that talk about it.

Attendance Allowance is money you can get. You usually get it forever, but it might change if your life changes.

Can anyone get PIP money?

Yes, PIP is for people who are 16 to 64 years old. If you are older and get a State Pension, you might get a different help called Attendance Allowance.

Can I use Attendance Allowance for help with moving around?

No, Attendance Allowance does not help with moving around. It is for help if you need care because you are sick or have a disability.

What if they say no to my PIP claim?

If the government says 'no' to your PIP claim, you can ask them to look at it again. This is called a mandatory reconsideration. If they still say 'no', you can go to another place called a tribunal to ask for help.

Will getting Attendance Allowance change my other benefits?

Getting Attendance Allowance can help you get more money from other benefits. It can give you extra money on things like Pension Credit and Housing Benefit.

Will PIP change my taxes?

PIP means Personal Independence Payment. It is extra money to help with problems from being ill or disabled.

If you get PIP, it won't change how much tax you pay. You don't need to pay extra tax because you get PIP.

Remember, if you have questions about PIP or taxes, you can ask someone you trust for help. They can help you understand better.

No, PIP money is not counted as income for taxes. It doesn’t change how much tax you owe.

Do they check your money for Attendance Allowance?

Sometimes people worry that they need to show how much money they have to get Attendance Allowance.

Good news! Attendance Allowance does not check your savings or income.

Remember: If you need help understanding, you can ask someone you trust to explain or find a helper tool like a reading app to read it out loud.

No, Attendance Allowance does not look at how much money you have or earn. It does not matter how much you have in savings or income to get it.

Can someone help me get ready to ask for PIP money?

Yes, places like Citizens Advice can help you with your PIP claim. They can make sure you have all the right information included.

Useful Links

Useful Links : What is Personal Independence Payment (PIP) & Attendance Allowance?
PIP Overview - GOV.UK

General information about Personal Independence Payment (PIP) from the UK government.
Attendance Allowance Overview - GOV.UK

Information about Attendance Allowance from the UK government.
Disability Benefits - Citizens Advice

Advice from Citizens Advice on benefits available for sick or disabled individuals, including PIP and Attendance Allowance.
PIP and Attendance Allowance - Age UK

Information from Age UK on PIP and Attendance Allowance, focusing on benefits for older people.
PIP - Mind

Guidance from Mind on Personal Independence Payment (PIP), focusing on mental health conditions.
Disability Benefits - Scope

Support and advice from Scope on claiming Personal Independence Payment.
How to claim Attendance Allowance - Carers UK

Guidance from Carers UK on how to claim Attendance Allowance.
PIP and benefits for children - Contact

Information from Contact on claiming PIP for children with disabilities.
Important Information On Using This Service
  • Ergsy carfully checks the information in the videos we provide here.
  • Videos shown by Youtube after a video has completed, have NOT been reviewed by ERGSY.
  • To view, click the arrow in centre of video.
Using Subtitles and Closed Captions
  • Most of the videos you find here will have subtitles and/or closed captions available.
  • You may need to turn these on, and choose your preferred language.
Turn Captions On or Off
  • Go to the video you'd like to watch.
  • If closed captions (CC) are available, settings will be visible on the bottom right of the video player.
  • To turn on Captions, click settings .
  • To turn off Captions, click settings again.

More Items From Ergsy search