Articles by Linda Howard

Technology

People on PIP never need to tell DWP about these changes in circumstances

Personal Independence Payment (PIP) can be claimed by people over 16 and under State Pension age who need additional help with daily living tasks or getting around as a result of a long-term illness, disability or mental or physical health condition. The benefit has been replaced in Scotland by Adult Disability Payment (ADP) for new claimants and follows similar eligibility guidelines as PIP. A successful claim for PIP or ADP now people between £28.70 and £184.30 each week in additional financial support, however. Both disability payments are provided at the same rates despite the difference in name and welfare administration body to prevent a two-tier benefits system. While many claimants may be aware of the list of changes in circumstances that must be reported to the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) in order for them to continue receiving uninterrupted payments, there are several changes that do not need to be declared. It's also worth noting nearly 127,000 existing PIP claimants living in Scotland will still need to report certain changes to DWP until they have been transferred to the Social Security Scotland IT system - due to be completed by the end of 2025. PIP is not a means-tested benefit and can be paid whether the claimant is working or not, so there is no need to inform the DWP if you: However, guidance on the GOV.UK website states you must contact the PIP enquiry line if: The GOV.UK website goes on to warn: “You could be taken to court or have to pay a penalty if you give wrong information or do not report a change in your circumstances.” So, if you have recently moved home or switched to a new doctor, don't put off reporting the change any longer - especially if you are on PIP living in Scotland as Social Security Scotland will use the information the DWP holds on you when you are transferred over the new devolved benefits system. Before making the call you will need your National Insurance number , bank account details and GP name and address in order for the DWP to verify your identity.

Technology

New PIP monthly payment rates for all eight award types from next April

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is expected to confirm the new payment rates for State Pensions and benefits for the 2026/27 financial year just before the Autumn Budget on November 26. The DWP recently announced that plans to reform Personal Independence Payment (PIP) have been put on hold until a 'comprehensive review' into the current assessment process concludes next year. However, DWP also confirmed that the disability benefit will continue to rise each year in line with the September inflation rate. This means payments for over 3.8 million PIP claimants are set to rise by 3.8 per cent. An increase of 3.8 per cent would see people on both the highest awards of the daily living and mobility components rise from £187.45 per week to £194.55. The new financial year begins on Monday, April 6 2026. This is the date all benefits and the State Pension will rise, but it’s important to be aware the actual amounts will be published by the DWP, usually in November or December. That being said, it is possible to calculate the potential payment rates for all eight mixed award types of PIP based on the September CPI. This can be used as a guide to help plan household budgets and factor in the uprating. The Scottish Government will announce the uprating of devolved benefits such as Adult Disability Payment (ADP), Child Disability Payment, Pension Age Disability Payment (PADP) and Carer Support Payment at the Scottish Budget on January 13. This is expected to be announced before that date, possibly around the same time as the DWP confirms its uprating. There are two components to PIP - daily living and mobility. PIP would be paid at the following amounts per week under 3.8 per cent CPI uprating: Daily living Mobility People on PIP could be awarded the lowest rate of one or both parts, the highest rate of one or both parts, or a mixed award of the lower or higher rates of each component. The DWP will issue letters to all claimants before April detailing their new payment rates. You may be awarded the lower or higher daily living or mobility component: If you are on the lower rates of both components, your new payments are forecast to be: If you are on the higher rates of both components, your new payments are forecast to be: If you are on the lower rate of one component and the higher rate of the other, your new payments are forecast to be: Remember, PIP and all disability benefits are tax-free and do not affect the benefit cap. The DWP will publish the new payment rates and allowances for all benefits before the end of this year, if anything changes before then we will update this article to ensure accuracy for all claimants.

Technology

DWP confirms measure to help older people find work ahead of State Pension age change

The State Pension age is set to start rising from 66 to 67 next April, with the increase due to be completed for all men and women across the UK by 2028. The planned change to the official age of retirement has been in legislation since 2014 with a further rise from 67 to 68 set to be implemented between 2044 and 2046. The UK Government has also changed the way in which the increase in State Pension age is phased so rather than reaching State Pension age on a specific date, people born between March 6, 1961 and April 5, 1977 will be able to claim the State Pension once they reach 67. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has set out measures aimed at helping older people, especially those in their 60s, find and stay in work. In a written response to Lib Dem MP Max Wilkinson, who asked “what discussions his Department has had with industry stakeholders on improving job prospects for people in their 60s”, Employment Minister Dame Diana Johnson said the DWP is “committed to supporting older people through a wide-ranging strategy that promotes inclusion, flexibility, and progression”. These measures include: Ms Johnson continued: “The Department has also signed up to and actively promotes the Age-Friendly Employer Pledge, encouraging employers to adopt flexible working, age-positive hiring, and career development. “Our Jobs and Careers service will enable everyone to access support to find good, meaningful work, and help them progress in work or increase their earnings. The Jobs and Careers Service will incorporate principles of accessibility and inclusivity, acknowledging diverse support needs, including those of older individuals. “We are taking a test and learn approach to developing the new service, working in an agile and flexible way. This will allow us to hear from a range of organisations and perspectives, as we develop the new service.” She added that the DWP’s ‘Strategic Relationship Team’ is “actively engaging trade bodies and strategic employers across priority sectors, such as clean energy, digital, hospitality and construction, through innovation workshops, tailored recruitment pilots, and sector-led initiatives to promote DWP as the recruitment partner of choice and expand inclusive employment opportunities”. The UK Government recently announced a new Pension Commission to investigate how to boost pension saving with its findings due to be published in 2027. Areas for consideration will include auto-enrolment saving rates, boosting saving among groups such as the self-employed and a review of the State Pension age. After the review has reported, the UK Government may then choose to bring forward changes to the State Pension age. However, any proposals would have to go through Parliament before becoming law. Your State Pension age is the earliest age you can start receiving your State Pension. It may be different to the age you can get a workplace or personal pension. Anyone of any age can use the online tool at GOV.UK to check their State Pension age, which can be an essential part of planning your retirement. You can use the State Pension age tool to check: Check your State Pension age online here. HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) recently announced more than 10,000 payments worth £12.5 million have been made by people through the new digital service to boost State Pensions since it launched last year. However, anyone keen to maximise their retirement income through the contributory benefit has just a few weeks left to fill any gaps in their National Insurance (NI) records going back as far as 2006. Usually people can only pay voluntary contributions for the past six tax years, and after the April 5 deadline this year the normal six-tax year time limit will apply. In 2023, the previous government extended the deadline to pay voluntary NI contributions to April 5, 2025 for those affected by new State Pension transitional arrangements, covering the tax years running from April 6, 2006 to April 5, 2018. The extended deadline has allowed people more time to consider what is right for them and make their contributions. Men born after April 6, 1951 and women born after April 6, 1953 are eligible to make voluntary NI contributions to boost their New State Pension. Some people may be entitled to NI credits rather than needing to pay contributions, so they will need to check and consider what is right for them. People can find out more about making voluntary contributions on GOV.UK here . People of working age can also check their State Pension forecast on GOV.UK here.