PIP - not a benefit?

Chalto

Hi, if this has been asked and answered before elsewhere, my apologies, as I did try and search for similar posts.

Following a back injury over 20 years ago, for the last 8 years I've been on PIP at the mid level, and highest mobility level. I had to fight for it as initially I got turned down, but the appeal got me to see someone that actually cared to do their job and investigate my issues, which are well documented medically, and in turn, instead of a 3 year term, I was given 10 years before my next assessment.

Right basic info side, my main question is that from what I've seen, PIP is NOT classed as a benefit whenever I see chances of extra help in terms of getting more financial help. By that, I see things like "to get xyz help, you need to be in receipt of one or more of the following benefits..." and then I see a list that doesn't include PIP, do I assume that I don't get any help.

Am I wrong?

Also, my wife does earn a reasonable amount, but like many others, it's all eaten up with mortgage, bills etc, and my £247pm pip doesn't go far to help.

My poor wife is a worrier, even at the best of times, but now I'm actually working that the constant stress is going to cause her serious harm or worse. I'm 55, she's 59, so we're no spring chickens even if we were fit.

We'd just like a bit more help if possible, but don't know where our whom to turn to, so any advice that may change that would be greatly received.

poppy12345

PIP is a disability benefit so yes it's a benefit. However, it doesn't automatically qualify you for other help in terms of benefits.

Have you used a benefits calculator to check entitlement to Universal Credit? Other than council tax reduction this is the only benefit now, unless you've worked at some point in the previous 2 tax years.

Use a benefits caluclator, https://www.entitledto.co.uk/benefits-calculator/Intro/Home?cid=70a8dc04-6bf5-44fc-bcf3-df4f3c1d2fec

elsien

PIP not an income related benefit, that’s the difference. Most extra help is for people on benefits which are awarded because people have a low income. That’s the difference.
Have you put you and your wife’s income details into one to of the benefits calculators to see if there is any other entitlement that you’re not getting? It may be unlikely if your wife is on a good wage as you say, but it doesn’t hurt to check.

Muttleythefrog

One of the reasons you might not see PIP listed in terms of being a qualifying benefit for the myriad of 'extra help' that exists or appears time to time is because it's not means tested (i.e. millionaires in mansions can get it if they meet relevant disability criteria). Often 'extra help' will look for those in financial need and for that end people getting low income type benefits may be targeted.

Try a benefits calculator like Entitled To to see if missing out on anything obvious.

Chalto

I have checked into the eligibility stuff before a few years back, but ran into a problem.

My NI contributions are not up to date because for the period between me losing my job, then getting only 6 months JSA (or whatever it was back then), and the time I applied for PIP, I was not paying any NI because I had no income at all.

My wife was the sole breadwinner, and because of their earnings restrictions, I wasn't entitled to anything, so we lived off her earnings.

I have a few other medical issues as well, some of which have been found, or occurred since my injury, and/or being on strong painkillers (opiates, including oxycodone currently). I need B12 injections every 10 weeks to help with memory issues and other bodily functions that need it, folic acid tablet every day, antihistamine tablet every day (to counter some of the side effects of the opiates). I've also gained a lot of weight since being on opiates, which obviously doesn't help matters.

One thing I've always had a problem with is my intelligence. I have/had an IQ of 167, which in turn means for me, that my brain needs constant stimulation of stuff that interests me, or I get extremely bored very quickly, which can then lead to drowsiness, most likely due to poor sleep quality brought on by the opiates (and the almost constant need to drink fluids, and resulting bathroom breaks). So long as my brain gets the stimulation, I'm ok.

With the help of my GP surgery, I am currently on a long term plan to rid my system of the opiates (no longer effective), but because I've been on them so long, it will take time, and I'd like to try CBD alternatives, but have been told the NHS won't cover it, and I certainly can't afford it privately. Such a messed up system.

calcotti

Chalto said:

My NI contributions are not up to date because for the period between me losing my job, then getting only 6 months JSA (or whatever it was back then), and the time I applied for PIP, I was not paying any NI because I had no income at all.

PIP doesn't give you NI credits. When did you last work? Are you claiming anything other than PIP?

Spoonie_Turtle

Whether there's any other help depends on what you mean by your wife earning 'a reasonable amount'.

For Universal Credit assuming no savings over £6,000 nor any other income, your maximum entitlement would be standard allowance + carers element + possibly LCWRA. 
At current rates that's £525.72 + 168.81 + 354.28 = £1048.81 
With the £573 work allowance because of LCWRA and the 55% taper rate, that would mean nil entitlement with a take-home pay from work of (1048.81 ÷ 0.55) + 573 = £2479.92 per month.

With the increase in April that calculation becomes £578.82 + 185.86 + 390.06 = £1154.74, work allowance of £631
Which would mean nil entitlement at £2730.52 take-home pay per month.

*You should also use a benefits calculator to check*  because I could be wrong, and depending on her wage there might be help with council tax available. 
If not, it will unfortunately be a case of seeing if you can increase your income and/or decrease your outgoings.  You're certainly not alone in struggling and having no extra help available.

born_again

I'm a bit confused.
> I've been on PIP at the mid level, and highest mobility level =  £247pm pip<

This seems to me you only get Basic daily & NO mobility, which is £247 every 4 weeks.


If you get basic daily living @ 61.85 & enhanced mobility @ 64.50 a week.
That is £505.40 every 4 weeks..

Even if you got the basic on both it would be £345.20 every 4 weeks.

https://www.gov.uk/pip/how-much-youll-get

calcotti

born_again said:

I'm a bit confused.
> I've been on PIP at the mid level, and highest mobility level =  £247pm pip<

This seems to me you only get Basic daily & NO mobility, which is £247 every 4 weeks.

Perhaps OP uses mobility award for a Motability car - but only s/he can tell us.