PIP rates to change next month with boost in payments

This means that thousands of claimants will get a boost to their payments. Many other benefits will also increase by this amount, including Universal Credit and Pension Credit, reports The Express.

The benefit is available for those who have had an illness or condition for nine months which affects their daily life, and which they expect will affect them for at least another 12 months. Claimants receive a daily living component and a mobility component, with a lower and higher rate for each part, depending on an individual's needs.

Read More: Millions of over 50s could be missing out on vital DWP boost

The current weekly payments are:

Daily living part

• Lower rate - £61.85
• Higher rate - £92.40

Mobility component

• Lower rate - £24.45
• Higher rate - £64.50

Payments will increase by 10.1 percent with the start of the new tax year. With the payments increase, weekly payments will be:

Daily living part

• Lower rate - £68.10
• Higher rate - £101.75

Mobility part

• Lower rate - £26.90
• Higher rate - £71

An individual can claim PIP even if they are working or have savings, or if they get other benefits. Claimants may want to note a policy change set to be announced in the Budget tomorrow.

The Government is to publish a Health and Disability White Paper, which will details plans to scrap the Work Capability Assessment. At present, disabled people have to undergo a health assessment to be found incapable of work to get extra income through the benefits system.

This includes a questionnaire inviting the claimant to detail what issues they have and how their daily life is affected. People also have to do a health assessment in person or over the phone or via video call as part of the process.

If a person does not go through the assessments, they will likely be deemed fit for work by the DWP. This system is being scrapped in efforts to encourage people to look for work without fear of losing their benefits.

Chancellor Jeremy Hunt said ahead of the Budget announcement: "Those who can work, should work because independence is always better than dependence. Already we're seeing near record levels of employment in Britain, but we need to go further to build a country that rewards work and gives everyone the chance of a better future.

"But for many people, there are barriers preventing them from moving into work - lack of skills, a disability or health condition, or having been out of the jobs market for an extended period of time. I want this back-to-work Budget to break down these barriers and help people find jobs that are right for them."

Laura Davis, chief executive of the British Association for Supported Employment (BASE), welcomed the changes. She said: "We're particularly pleased to hear about the plans to scrap the work capability assessment which will be a great step towards ensuring people can try employment without fear. We believe everyone who wants to work, can, with the right job and the right support, and should be provided every opportunity to dream big, without fear of being financially worse off."

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