An ex-Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) worker has set out some key advice on helping people claim for vital benefits. The former employee, who dealt with State Pension, working age and disability benefits for 42 years, believed the advice might help those making a new claim for extra financial help.
There are already 3.6m claiming Personal Independence Payment (PIP) alone with others on a range of benefits including Attendance Allowance and Housing Benefit. Many benefits are seeing record levels of claims.
According to the Daily Record latest figures from the DWP and Social Security Scotland show there are now 3.6 million people claiming PIP. There are also more than 1.6m receiving Attendance Allowance and, in Scotland, nearly 315,000 on Adult Disabilty Payment.
With rising numbers the former employee has set out the does and don’t of making a claim to give you the best chance. They said one key thing is to make sure claimants “keep a copy of the claim form they submit”. This could be vital when itis time for any award to be reviewed.
They said while online claims for PIP (depending on your postcode), ADP and Attendance Allowance (limited number per week) can be easier to save to your home computer or laptop, those applying via a paper-based form should copy it before they submit it.
If you don’t have the copy of the health questionnaire – PIP 2 evidence form – you completed before your assessment contact the PIP enquiry line on 0800 121 4433 as they can send you one. This will help with future reviews for your benefit.
It will not only remind you of your original answers to the daily living and mobility questions, but also help you explain the way your condition currently affects you. The DWP expert told the Daily Record: “With PIP, and in some cases Attendance Allowance, the claim is allowed for a certain period of time before it is reviewed, so it is handy to know what you put down on the original claim form.
“One lady I helped with her PIP claim, I got her to keep a copy of her original claim, which made it easier for her to complete her PIP review form when the time came. Your medical condition can sometimes change from the date you submitted your original claim.”
She said when it came to Attendance Allowance it was advisable to get all your medical evidence sorted out before you start completing the form. This is because of the length of the application form.
Having medical notes and information together with relevant dates for appointments or operations can speed up the time it takes to complete the claim. She said: “Once you have catalogued your medical history required for the claim you are halfway there.”
But she warned there was one thing never to do. She said: “Do not try and complete the form in one sitting, as it can be mentally draining.”
She said it was important to have a copy of the original claim form as it helped ensure that you “do not give any conflicting evidence when it comes to a review, which may give DWP reason to scrutinise your case further”. She added: “Also if your claim is disallowed by DWP and you seek help over this, the person looking at your case can see what you have put on the original form as to why it might have been disallowed.”
A successful new claim for PIP or ADP is worth between £28.70 and £184.30 each week, which amounts to between £114.80 and £737.20 every four-week pay period. A successful new claim for Attendance Allowance is worth either £72.65 (lower rate) or £108.55 (higher rate) each week and as the benefit is usually paid every four weeks, this amounts to either £290.60 or £434.20 every pay period.