Personal Independence Payment (PIP) is a benefit for people who need help with every-day tasks and / or find it difficult to get around outdoors because of their disability or health condition.
PIP can be claimed from age 16. The upper age limit to claim is the day before a person reaches State Pension age (at the moment the State Pension age is 66). PIP can continue to be paid beyond pension age providing a person was entitled to it before they reached pension age.
It does not matter whether or not the claimant has someone looking after or helping them - what matters is the effect their disability or health condition has on them.
It is tax free and does not rely on NI contributions. It is not affected by income, earnings, hours of work or savings.
It can be paid to people in and out of work.
It is almost always paid on top of other benefits and / or Tax Credits; it is ignored as income for means tested benefits and Tax Credits.
Any money someone receives from PIP can be spent how they choose, and it can 'passport' people to other types of help.
Getting PIP can increase the amount of other benefits or Tax Credits that a claimant or couple can receive, as an award of PIP to a claimant, their partner or dependent young person may make them eligible for extra additions, premiums or components.
An award of PIP to a claimant, partner or dependent young person will mean that the benefit cap does not or will no longer apply.
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