PIP Personal Independence Payment 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: How often is PIP normally paid to claimants?
- Weekly
- Fortnightly (every two weeks) (Correct answer)
- Monthly
- Quarterly
Correct answer: Fortnightly (every two weeks)
PIP is paid directly into a bank account every four weeks (two-weekly cycles); in practice it arrives every four weeks but is described as a weekly rate.
Question 2: Can a claimant receive both the daily living component and the mobility component of PIP at the same time?
- No, only one component can be awarded at a time
- Yes, both components can be awarded simultaneously (Correct answer)
- Only if the claimant has a physical disability, not a mental health condition
- Only if the mobility component is at the enhanced rate
Correct answer: Yes, both components can be awarded simultaneously
PIP's two components are assessed and awarded independently, so a claimant can receive both daily living and mobility components together.
Question 3: PIP was introduced to replace which benefit for working-age disabled people?
- Incapacity Benefit
- Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- Disability Living Allowance (DLA) (Correct answer)
- Income Support
Correct answer: Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
PIP replaced Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for claimants aged 16 to State Pension age, with DLA remaining for children and those who reached pension age before the switch.
Question 4: Is PIP means-tested — does the DWP consider a claimant's income or savings when making an award?
- Yes, income and savings are both considered
- No, PIP is not means-tested (Correct answer)
- Only the mobility component is means-tested
- Yes, but only for claimants who are employed
Correct answer: No, PIP is not means-tested
PIP is based entirely on how a condition affects daily functioning, not on income, savings, or employment status.
Question 5: Which government department is responsible for administering PIP claims?
- HMRC
- NHS England
- Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) (Correct answer)
- Local council social services
Correct answer: Department for Work and Pensions (DWP)
The DWP manages PIP claims, makes award decisions, and arranges assessments through contracted healthcare providers.
Question 6: What is the primary purpose of PIP?
- To replace lost earnings due to disability
- To help cover the extra costs of living with a long-term health condition or disability (Correct answer)
- To fund medical treatment not available on the NHS
- To provide income support for those unable to work
Correct answer: To help cover the extra costs of living with a long-term health condition or disability
PIP is designed to contribute towards the additional costs that arise from having a long-term health condition or disability, regardless of whether the claimant is working.
Question 7: What age range is PIP primarily designed for?
- Under 16 years old
- 16 years old up to State Pension age (Correct answer)
- 18 to 65 years old only
- Any age group with a qualifying disability
Correct answer: 16 years old up to State Pension age
PIP is available to people from age 16 up to State Pension age; those under 16 claim DLA, and those at or above State Pension age may claim Attendance Allowance.
PIP Personal Independence Payment 3
How often is PIP normally paid to claimants?