Major changes could affect eligibility criteria for PIP mobility award

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has recently announced that any modifications to Personal Independence Payment (PIP) will not take effect until a "comprehensive review" of the disability benefit concludes next year, with completion anticipated by next autumn. The DWP has also stated that eligibility criteria for PIP's mobility component will be examined in conjunction with the daily living element as part of the UK Government's broader welfare reform initiative.

Sir Stephen Timms, Minister for Social Security and Disability, will lead the review in partnership with disabled people's organisations and charities. Those awarded the enhanced rate of PIP's mobility component are eligible to use some or all of their payment towards leasing a new vehicle, wheelchair-accessible car, scooter or powered wheelchair via the Motability Scheme.

Latest statistics from Motability Operations - the organisation managing the transformative Motability Scheme - reveal there are currently 815,000 customers throughout the UK. Current DWP data indicates that approximately 37 per cent of the total 3.9 million claimants were receiving the enhanced rate of both the daily living and mobility components at the end of July, reports the Daily Record.

Five most-claimed PIP conditions

Listed below are the five most frequently claimed PIP conditions, showing the proportion of claimants awarded the enhanced rates of both daily living and mobility components.

Psychiatric disorder

• Daily living and mobility component - 42%
• Daily living component only - 69%
• Mobility component only - 46%

Musculoskeletal disease (general)

• Daily living and mobility component - 26%
• Daily living component only - 34%
• Mobility component only - 45%

Neurological disease

• Daily living and mobility component - 51%
• Daily living component only - 58%
• Mobility component only - 72%

Musculoskeletal disease (regional)

• Daily living and mobility component - 20%
• Daily living component only - 27%
• Mobility component only - 45%

Respiratory disease

• Daily living and mobility component - 31%
• Daily living component only - 37%
• Mobility component only - 57%

Respiratory disease During the most recent oral questions session in Parliament, the DWP faced calls to "consider the benefits to which PIP is a gateway, such as Motability, disability premiums, Council Tax discounts and Blue Badges". Sir Stephen Timms was also pressed to "promise at least that those entitlements could come down".

He responded: "We have made it clear that we will co-produce our review of the PIP assessment with disabled people and representatives of disability organisations. The review will cover the assessment for the mobility component, which leads on to the Motability scheme, and other entitlements to which PIP is a gateway."

There are presently more than 3.2 million Blue Badge permit holders throughout the UK, including in excess of 235,700 in Scotland.

Other benefits which can be accessed with a PIP award

Whilst you may not be eligible for some or all of these benefits, it's worth checking to ensure you're not missing out on extra support.

• Access to Work
• Blue Badge
• Carer’s Allowance / Carer Support Payment
• Carer’s Credit
• Christmas Bonus
• Council Tax Reduction
• Employment and Support Allowance - only if you get the PIP daily living component
• Housing Benefit
• Income Support‎
• Jobseeker’s Allowance
• Pension Credit - only if you get the PIP daily living component
• Universal Credit

The complete PIP Handbook is available on GOV.UK here.