Thursday 29 September 2016
As part of the Citizens Advice Exeter and The Express and Echo weekly advice column we focus on disability benefits.
I had an accident at work a few years ago and as a result I am unable to work. I am currently receiving Disability Living Allowance, but have heard that this is changing. What are the changes and what do I need to do?
Disability Living Allowance is being gradually replaced over several years by Personal Independence Payment. So far this year we have seen a 19% increase in enquiries about disability benefits.
Personal Independence Payment is a benefit for people aged 16 to 64 with a long-term health condition or disability. Some people aged 65 or over can also get it. Personal Independence Payment has replaced Disability Living Allowance for anyone who is not getting Disability Living Allowance and who wants to make a new claim.
If you’re getting Disability Living Allowance and you were aged 16 to 64 on 8 April 2013, and for claimants who reached the age of 16 on or after this date, the Department for Work and Pensions will ask you to make a claim for Personal Independence Payment instead. This will happen even if you have an indefinite or lifetime award of Disability Living Allowance. You can’t choose to go on getting Disability Living Allowance.
You won’t get Personal Independence Payment automatically just because you qualify for Disability Living Allowance. You’ll have to make a claim for it. If you don’t claim when the Department for Work and Pensions asks you to, your Disability Living Allowance payments will stop.
The Department for Work and Pensions expects that most people who are getting Disability Living Allowance should qualify for Personal Independence Payment. However, because it’s a new benefit with different conditions of entitlement, it’s possible you won’t get it. Or you may be entitled to a different rate of payment, which could be lower or higher than you’re getting now.
If you were 65 or over on 8 April 2013 and getting Disability Living Allowance, you can carry on getting it if you’re eligible. The Department for Work and Pensions won’t contact you about claiming Personal Independence Payment and you can’t choose to make a claim for Personal Independence Payment.
For more information and advice go to www.citizensadvice.org.uk or telephone Citizens Advice Exeter on 03444 111 444.
Look out for our column next week when we focus on contracts of employment.
The information contained in these articles does not constitute advice. Citizens Advice Exeter and The Express and Echo accept no liability for the information published. Citizens Advice Exeter is unable to respond to individual requests for advice through these columns. Copyright Citizens Advice. For the most up-to-date information, please visit www.citizensadvice.org.uk