Your guide to the PIP mobility scheme and its benefits
The PIP Mobility Scheme offers solutions and benefits to those who need support with a long-term disability or ill health condition, especially in the cost-of-living crisis, and it is one of the many ways you can receive funding for your mobility scooter. Securing PIP can open doors to a multitude of benefits for individuals eligible, including getting a mobility scooter or mobility equipment for a reduced or no cost. This payment enhances the quality of life and helps disabled people manage expenses.
Learn about the intricacies of PIP and discover if you’re eligible for this life-changing support in this article.
What is PIP Benefit?
Personal Independence Payment (PIP) is a benefit which can assist those with long-term mental or physical disabilities, mental health conditions and those with difficulty doing everyday tasks because of an illness. This payment is not considered as compensation for ill health but rather as financial support to offset the additional living expenses for people with long-term health conditions or cognitive/physical disabilities.
How much you receive from your PIP depends on how complex everyday tasks are and mobility. These assessed routine tasks are in two ‘parts,’ labelled ‘Daily Living’ and ‘Mobility,’ which are then evaluated by a Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) professional to see how much you qualify for. Each part is paid at different rates, ultimately influencing the amount you will receive for your claim.
Who is eligible to claim PIP?
You can claim PIP if you meet the eligibility criteria of being under Stage Pension age and have difficulty doing everyday tasks. These criteria aren’t dependent on national insurance contributions or income, but solely on your care needs and age.
PIP is suitable for …
- Those who need additional support and fall under the State Pension age.
- Those still working, but you will need to add appropriate reasoning to your claim and why you qualify for PIP despite having a job.
Who is eligible to claim the PIP Mobility scheme?
You’ll be eligible to apply for the PIP Mobility scheme if you are awarded a higher rate for the ‘Mobility’ part of PIP with at least 12 months left.
Can you claim PIP if you have already received most other benefits?
You can additionally claim PIP even if you have already received most other benefits. If eligible, PIP can sometimes offer ‘benefit top-ups,’ such as housing benefits, job seekers’ allowance and more.
How to apply for PIP
- Before you apply, double-check you are eligible for PIP and not another benefit that would suit your condition or age better.
- Phone the ‘PIP new claims line’ about your claim request, and following this call, you will receive a form asking you to review your condition in an assessment.
- Fill in the form honestly and return it to the address indicated.
- If more details are required, you may need an assessment from a health professional for the Department for Work and Pensions. This assessment will assess your everyday activities and reflect on the two parts of PIP: ‘Daily Living’ and ‘Mobility.’ All health professionals conducting the evaluation are registered practitioners, and the assessment process investigates the claimant’s health and functional ability against the criteria of each part. The outcome of this assessment will then dictate the total PIP rates you may receive and if you are eligible for PIP.
During your claim, you can …
Ask someone else to call on your behalf, either in person or added to the call on a non-textphone. You’re still required to be present during the assessment.
How to make a PIP claim if you have 12 months or less to live
If you have 12 months or less to live, there is an alternative way to make a claim more quickly. For instance, if you are over the age of 16 and a medical professional has said you may have 12 months or less to live, you will qualify for PIP faster.
- Phone the ‘PIP claims line’ about your claim request.
- Ask your medical professional for an SR1 form, which they will send directly to the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) or you to send yourself.
What should you do if your PIP application is unsuccessful?
If your claim was unsuccessful and you are unhappy with the outcome, you can have your claim reconsidered. If, after the reconsideration, the results are still unsuccessful, you have the right to appeal to HM Courts Tribunals Service.
Components of PIP and payment rates
The ‘Daily living’ part of PIP
You may be entitled to the ‘Daily Living’ part of PIP if you need assistance with the following…
- Preparing food
- Eating and drinking
- Managing your medicines or treatments
- Washing and bathing
- Using the toilet
- Dressing and undressing
- Reading
- Managing your money
- Socialising and being around other people
- Talking, listening and understanding
The ‘Mobility’: Part of PIP
You may be entitled to the ‘Mobility’ part of PIP if you need assistance with the following…
Working out a route and following it
Do you need extra help getting around? Do you have a reliable route to access transport without hassle? This component of the mobility part is not exclusive to individuals with a physical disability. For example, if you have cognitive disability or mental health condition, such as anxiety, that is preventing your routine from being sustainable, you could qualify for this component.
Physically moving around
Is physically moving difficult and impacting your quality of life? Do you suffer from walking impairments? Is it painful to move around? You could be eligible for this component based on physical disability requiring additional everyday support.
Leaving your home
Are you able to leave your home for extended periods? Are you physically able to go outdoors for exercise or social purposes? You could qualify for this component if you are afraid to leave your home because of a condition or if it is unsafe to leave your house without supervision.
What benefits can I claim on the PIP Mobility Scheme?
PIP Mobility Grants
With the mobility grants available under the scheme, getting a mobility scooter with PIP has never been easier. These equipment grants can be for mobility aids such as mobility scooters, vehicle adaptations and even home alterations to suit your upgraded lifestyle.
PIP Motability Scheme
The Motability Scheme allows individuals with PIP to lease everything from mobility equipment to a new car as part of their ‘worry-free package.’ With this scheme, you can enjoy having more freedom to get around and a new level of independence in your routine with your new transport options.
Discounted Public Transport
If you qualify for PIP and travel by public transport, you immediately qualify for a Disabled Person’s Railcard. As a result, you’ll get a third off on rail fares, which you and a friend can enjoy for more accessible travel plans. You may qualify for free local bus travel, depending on your local council. If you contact your local council, they will be able to inform you of what benefits are available to you in your local area, as these amenities vary on location.
Blue Badge for Parking
Travelling by car can now have extra advantages, allowing you to enjoy transport freedom and a guaranteed parking space. With PIP, you may be eligible for a Blue Badge for parking, which offers free or discounted parking on streets or in car parks, depending on your local council.
Increased housing benefit
As PIP is not a means-based benefit, it does not deduct any amount from the benefits you already receive. PIP increases your housing benefits if you have a child who still lives at home (aged 16-20). However, this also depends on what is available, as stated by your local council.
Road tax discount
If you are eligible for PIP, you may also be entitled to a discount on road tax through the Motability scheme. You can enjoy a 50% discount on vehicle tax with a standard PIP rate mobility, meaning more savings for your household and future travels in the car.
PIP Payments
Depending on the amount of the ‘Daily living’ or ‘Mobility’ part of PIP you are qualified for, you will be entitled to set weekly payment amounts to assist you with the costs of living that your condition or ill health impacts. Whether you have a high or lower rate of the two parts will impact the total amount of PIP payments you will receive.
Daily Living Part: | PIP amount each week: |
Lower rate of ‘Mobility’ part | £26.90 |
Higher rate of ‘Daily living’ part | £101.75 |
Lower rate of ‘Daily living’ part | £68.10 |
Mobility Scheme: | PIP amount each week: |
Higher rate of ‘Mobility’ part | £71.00 |
Why you should apply for the PIP Mobility Scheme?
Acquiring mobility equipment is now more accessible and affordable with the PIP mobility allowance and grants as part of the PIP mobility scheme. When you qualify for a higher rate of the ‘Mobility’ PIP part, you can automatically enhance your lifestyle with the right mobility aid. Through the impact of the PIP Mobility scheme, those in the UK who suffer from a long-term health condition or disability no longer fear the higher cost of living, which has improved the lives of many individuals dramatically.
Similarly, the Motability scheme has helped enable those who have struggled with mobility to have a new lease on life with a mobility alternative. Those on the scheme can independently manage their routine and move around more easily, with leases available for new mobility equipment and cars.
With Monarch Mobility, the UK’s leading mobility specialist, you can acquire high-quality mobility scooters and powerchairs through the Motability scheme on PIP alongside our expert Motability advice. We use our high-quality expertise to help our customers choose the right mobility aid and improve their lifestyles.
Contact us today with any enquiries about getting a mobility aid on the PIP mobility scheme, and our mobility specialists can assist you in finding equipment tailored to your requirements.
Browse our full range of mobility products today.