NEARLY half a million disabled households are missing out on thousands of pounds in benefit payments due to review delays.
Personal Independence Payments (PIP) are given to those with long-term mental or physical health problems or disabilities.
The payments can be worth as much as £172.75 a week, so if you don't claim it already, it could be a good idea to check if you're eligible.
But 430,000 are missing out on an estimated £24million every month due to delays in the PIP review process, according to Citizens Advice.
Some have been waiting over two years to get their claims reviewed.
Citizens Advice's latest research found that, in the last six months, the number of people seeking support from the charity with issues related to PIP reviews increased by 19% compared to the same period last year.
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Shirley from Hertfordshire told the charity how it took her one and a half years to get her claim reviewed.
When her PIP was due for review in December 2021, Shirley sent off all the relevant forms and required medical information to the DWP.
But Shirley wasn't granted an enhanced PIP award until May 2023.
During this time Shirley was forced to cut back on food and transport as her health and financial stability worsened.
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She said: "I kept asking for updates but all they said is that I'd hear from them in due course.
"My physio kept telling me to buy a sling or a support, or something that would help my arm.
"But I didn't have the funds to do this – I couldn't afford the things I needed for my health.
"Last Christmas I didn't even have a pound to put on my gas and electric and things got worse as travelling to and from physio was costing me a lot on diesel."
Financially, a claimant doesn't lose out on their award entitlement in the long term.
PIP is usually backdated to when you first made a PIP claim, so you are likely to get a lump sum back payment.
But if you're waiting months for your review to be assessed, you will be losing out in the short term.
Off the back of these findings, Citizens Advice has called on the DWP to increase its efforts to make sure disabled people are receiving the right level of support.
Matthew Upton, acting executive director of policy and advocacy at Citizens Advice, said: "PIP can act as a lifeline for so many people with extra living costs linked to their health condition
"Delays don't just pose a financially agonising wait; they can take a significant emotional toll on people every single day.
"At a time when rising prices are putting immense pressure on disabled people's budgets, we need a system that efficiently and effectively helps people with extra living costs – not one that causes more harm."
But if you struggle to work because of a disability and need extra financial support you can also launch a fresh claim for Universal Credit.
The amount of cash you'll get through Universal Credit will depend on your current circumstances.
And any claim for Universal Credit does not affect your eligibility for a PIP award if any review is successful.
It's estimated that 1.3million could be eligible for Universal Credit payments worth £9,600 on average, according to Policy in Practice.
How much Universal Credit can I get?
Your individual circumstances will affect how much Universal Credit you receive such as how many children you have, your earnings, and how many people you reside with.
But it's also affected by the benefit cap, which limits the amount of welfare you can get.
The benefit cap outside Greater London is:
- £423.46 per week (£1,835 per month) if you’re in a couple or if you're a single parent and your children live with you
- £283.71 per week (£1,229 per month) if you’re a single adult
The benefit cap inside Greater London is:
- £486.98 per week (£2,110 per month) if you’re in a couple or if you're a single parent and your children live with you
- £326.26 per week (£1,413 per month) if you’re a single adult
How is my Universal Credit calculated?
The DWP works out how much your household is entitled but this could be affected by deductions or sanctions.
If you live with your partner then their circumstances will also be taken into account.
Everyone who is accepted on Universal Credit will be entitled to a Standard Allowance:
- Single and aged under 25: £292.11 per month
- Single and aged 25 or over: £368.74 per month
- Joint claimants both aged under 25: £458.51 per month
- Joint claimants where one is aged 25 or over: £578.82 per month
Once your household allowance is calculated, the DWP will take into account any additional claim elements such as children, housing, or disabilities.
If you have a health condition or disability which prevents you from working, or limits the amount of work you can do, Universal Credit can provide you with both financial and work-related support.
When you apply for Universal Credit, you'll be asked if you have a health condition or disability that affects your capability for work.
If you do, you'll be asked to provide medical evidence of having that health condition or disability.
If that health condition or disability continues for four weeks or more, you will be referred for a work capability assessment (WCA).
This assessment is to understand how much your health condition or disability affects your capability for work.
If you're found to have a limited capability for work you'll receive a £146.31 monthly award boost.
But if you have limited capability for work and work-related activity you'll receive a £390.06 monthly award boost.
First-time claimants are also eligible to apply for an advance.
This allows the claimant to receive some cash within five days rather than waiting weeks for their first payment.
But it's a loan which means the repayments will be automatically deducted from your future Universal Credit payout.
How do I apply for Universal Credit?
Applying for Universal Credit should be relatively easy.
You have to visit the Gov.UK website and create an account, then there are further steps to take.
Once you've created an account you must make a claim within 28 days otherwise you'll have to start again.
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If you live with your partner, you'll both have to create accounts and you'll join them together when you claim.
But if you're struggling to claim online you can use the Universal Credit helpline which is 0800 328 5644.
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