For those of us working in - or receiving services from - the care sector, it’s important we all know about any financial support available. Our colleagues at the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) tell us that one in five disabled people who claim benefits heard about them from their health or social care professional.
And here’s a case in point: the Personal Independence Payment (PIP) replaced Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for new claims across the country from June 2013. From October last year, DWP began asking existing DLA claimants to claim PIP under certain circumstances. This is important information to share with those for whom this extra assistance could make all the difference to their quality of care – and quality of life.
So, if you are asked about PIP, or you feel someone could benefit from making a claim, please direct them to www.gov.uk/pip.
The new claims number is 0800 917 2222 (textphone 0800 917 7777). DWP only gather a limited amount of basic information from this initial call, but you’ll find details of what they need at the site above.
Accessibility is the watchword of course, so if a claimant is unable to use the phone, or can’t get help to make the initial call, they can request a paper PIP claim form to fill out instead.
In the meantime, encourage any potential claimants you know to phone the PIP enquiry line 0845 850 3322 (textphone 0845 601 6677). It is important claimants and advisors use this number for questions and comments – doing so means our DWP colleagues can help with any queries more quickly and effectively.
In the meantime, this toolkit provides even more information should you or your organisation need to make colleagues fully aware of PIP.
1 comment
Comment by Barrie Warner posted on
So far as carers are concerned, information is power. That is why information from the DoH is so valuable to us and our organisations. It is vital that information like this is shared throughout our various networks.