Calculator reveals whether you could claim £9,584 benefit as hundreds of thousands are missing out
New tool shows thousands of people on low income may be missing out on an extra £2,210 a year
Exclusive: Research conducted on behalf of EntitledTo finds that 62 per cent of eligible people are not claiming Personal Independence Payment
Hundreds of thousands of low-income people could be missing out on extra financial support worth up to £9,584 a year, a new calculator reveals.
Research conducted on behalf of the charity EntitledTo by the London School of Economics found that as many as 62 per cent of people who could claim Personal Independence Payment (PIP) are not doing so.
PIP is a benefit for people aged 16 or over with a long-term health condition or disability. It is designed to help people pay for extra costs caused by their condition, such as the cost of mobility equipment, care or transport.
The new calculator, which can be found on the EntitledTo website, allows people to check within minutes whether they are eligible to claim PIP. The average award for PIP is £2,210 a year, but it can be as much as £9,584 a year for those with the highest level of need.
The charity said it was concerned that many people were missing out on the benefit because they did not realize they were eligible.
"PIP can make a real difference to people's lives, but it's shocking that so many people who could claim it are not doing so," said Sarah Coles, personal finance analyst at Hargreaves Lansdown.
"It's vital that people check whether they are eligible, as they could be missing out on much-needed financial support."
- The calculator is available on the EntitledTo website.
- PIP is a benefit for people aged 16 or over with a long-term health condition or disability.
- The average award for PIP is £2,210 a year, but it can be as much as £9,584 a year for those with the highest level of need.
- The charity EntitledTo said it was concerned that many people were missing out on the benefit because they did not realize they were eligible.
To be eligible for PIP, you must have a health condition or disability that has lasted, or is expected to last, for at least 12 months. The condition must also make it difficult for you to carry out everyday tasks, such as:
- Getting around
- Communicating
- Managing your personal care
- Doing household tasks
- Looking after your children
You can claim PIP even if you are in work, and it does not affect any other benefits you may be receiving.
If you think you may be eligible for PIP, you can check your eligibility using the EntitledTo calculator.
