Proposed PIP weekly payment increases for 2022 to 2023
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has proposed some increases for 2022 to 2023 for the Personal Independence Payment (PIP).
PIP is a disability benefit in the UK designed to help people with some of the extra costs caused by a long-term disability, ill-health or a terminal illness. The finances could be used to purchase essential assistive technologies for people with reduced mobility or cover the costs of a carer, for example.
There are two parts to PIP. If eligible, claimants can get one or both components of the disability benefit.
The first part is the daily living part, which is designed for people who need help with everyday tasks. People who struggle with reading, communicating, drinking, using the toilet, undressing, taking medicines, and more could be eligible for the daily living component.
The second part is the mobility part, which is aimed at those who struggle to get around. People who have difficulties moving around their own home or getting out and about could be eligible for the mobility component.
DWP then assesses how difficult claimants find daily living and mobility tasks before making a decision about awarding PIP to individuals.
If the claimant is awarded PIP, there are two rates available for both the daily living and mobility parts of the disability benefit – the lower weekly rate, and the higher weekly rate – depending on the individual’s circumstances and needs.
For 2022 to 2023, DWP has proposed some increases to both of the weekly PIP rates, meaning claimants would receive a bit more money every month.
The proposed weekly PIP payment increases are:
Daily living component
Standard rate
Current: £60
2022-2023: £61.85
Enhanced rate
Current: £89.60
2022-2023: £92.40
Mobility component
Standard rate
Current: £23.70
2022-2023: £24.45
Enhanced rate
Current: £62.55
2022-2023: £64.50
The proposed payment rate changes are due to be signed off by the UK Government and will come into effect on April 11, 2022.
The latest quarterly PIP figures for the quarter ending October 2021 reveal that there were 180,000 registrations for new claims, the highest quarterly level of new claim registrations since PIP began. This could perhaps be because of a change of circumstances for people due to contracting COVID-19, the impact of various lockdowns and increased levels of staying indoors, or other pandemic-related issues.
This year, the Scottish Government is looking to move away from the PIP benefits system in the UK with the creation of its own disability benefits system called Adult Disability Payment (ADP). The new payment, to be administered by Social Security Scotland, will open for new applications in pilot areas from 21 March 2022.
One key difference of ADP will be that all disability awards will be made on a rolling basis, with no set date for an award ending.