PIP claimants never need to report these 6 changes to DWP

More than three million people in the UK are claiming Personal Independence Payment (), a benefit worth up to £738 per month. There are strict conditions to claim support, and people must report a list of important life changes to the Department for Work and Pensions () to keep their claims up to date.

However, several changes in circumstances do not need to be declared, and it’s key to be aware of these to remove doubt and save time. PIP is paid based on how much help a person with certain medical conditions needs. It is not means-tested.

This means the payments are made whether a claimant is working or not, so there is no need to inform the if you:

• Start a new job
• Stop claiming other benefits
• Change roles at work – unless the amount of help you need has changed
• Leave a job
• Are made redundant
• Take retirement.

Who is eligible for PIP?

People can apply for PIP even if they’re working, have savings, or are already receiving other benefits.

To be eligible, all of the following must apply to the claimant:

• They’re 16 or over
• They have a long-term physical or mental health condition or disability
• They have
• They expect the difficulties to last for at least 12 months from when they started.

Common conditions that people claim PIP for include psychiatric conditions, such as anxiety, depressive and mood disorders, as well as musculoskeletal, neurological, or respiratory diseases, such as asthma and cystic fibrosis.

PIP payment rates

PIP has two components: a daily living part for those who need help with everyday tasks and a mobility part for those who need help moving around. Each comes with two rates: a standard rate and an enhanced rate.

Whether people get one or both parts and how much they get depends on how difficult they find individual tasks.

Payments are set to rise by 1.7% in April, which means the rates will rise by the following next month:

Daily living tasks

• Standard rate – £73.90 a week (up from £72.65)
• Enhanced rate – £110.40 a week (up from £108.55)

Mobility tasks

• Standard rate – £29.20 a week (up from £28.70)
• Enhanced rate – £77.05 a week (up from £75.75).

The easiest way to claim is to phone the . Claimants must then fill in a form, after which they’ll then undergo an assessment.

People in some areas can also apply online – they’ll need to check their postcode before they start the assessment.