Can I Claim PIP For Osteoporosis?
By
HuutiMoney
This blog post aims to help in answering the question of whether or not someone can claim PIP if they have Osteoporosis. To answer this question in detail, we will analyse the qualifying criteria for PIP and the conditions under which Osteoporosis may or may not be considered. We will also discuss the application process and expected payments regarding a PIP claim; should an applicant be successful in having their claim approved by the DWP.
Can I Claim PIP For Osteoporosis?
Whether or not you can claim Personal Independence Payment (PIP) depends on your condition. You will not be automatically eligible for PIP if you are diagnosed with Osteoporosis because it does not mean that just because you have the condition, you also have a disability.
However, if your condition causes persistent pain, has caused you a fracture, leads to difficulty in moving around or affects your ability to perform everyday tasks, your condition can be classed as a disability; thus qualifying you for PIP.
Your diagnosis of Osteoporosis can make you eligible for PIP if you have difficulty performing any of the following tasks:
- preparing and cooking a meal
- eating food on your own
- managing your medication (schedule and quantity)
- washing and bathing yourself
- using the toilet independently
- dressing and undressing
- engaging socially
- reading and understanding written information
- making reasonable decisions about money
- planning a journey or following a route
- moving around familiar spaces such as own house
In addition to your condition, you would also need to provide evidence of your age to claim PIP as the benefit can only be claimed by individuals who are older than 16 years of age and younger than the State Pension age.
Since PIP is a non-means-tested welfare benefit, your ability to qualify for it solely depends on your health condition and needs. Your income and savings will not affect your ability to claim the benefit.
When you apply for PIP, the DWP will make an assessment of the severity of your condition over some time with the assistance of an independent healthcare professional. This means that they will take into consideration the amount of time for which you have had the condition; as well as if it is expected to cause any symptoms in the immediate future as well.
To be considered a serious health condition that affects a patient’s ability to move around independently or perform everyday tasks without someone’s assistance, your condition(s) caused by Osteoporosis must have a long-lasting effect on your everyday life. At the same time, you should be able to prove through medical evidence how your care and mobility needs have increased due to your diagnosis.
How Can I Claim PIP For Osteoporosis?
To claim PIP for Osteoporosis, you should call the PIP new claims phone line at 0800 917 2222 or contact the Disability Service Centre. You will be sent a form that asks for details about your condition. Once you complete and send back the form, the DWP will arrange your health assessment through an independent third-party medical professional.
Before you apply for PIP, you will need the following information to file a claim:
- your date of birth
- your contact details including telephone number, email and home address
- your National Insurance number
- your bank account or building society account number as well as sort code
- your doctor’s name, complete address and telephone number
You can also file your claim via post by sending your form to the following address:
Personal Independence Payment New Claims
Post Handling Site B
Wolverhampton
WV99 1AH
When your claim for PIP is approved and you start receiving payments, the person taking care of you can also benefit from welfare benefits such as Carer’s Allowance; as long as they can meet the eligibility criteria.
How Much Can I Claim With PIP For Osteoporosis?
How much you can claim with PIP depends on these two factors:
- performing everyday activities
- moving around in a familiar space
Your claim for PIP is made up of two parts:
- the daily living component
- the mobility component
Your ability to perform everyday activities determines how much you can claim for PIP in the daily living component. Meanwhile, your ability to move around determines your claim for the mobility component.
Below are the details of how much you can claim based on the above factors:
- if you are claiming the daily living part for PIP, you can either claim £61.85 as the lower rate for this component or £92.40 as the higher rate
- if you are claiming the mobility part for PIP, you can either claim the lower rate of £24.45 or the higher rate of £64.50
Depending on your eligibility and assessment results, you can qualify for both components of PIP. Payments are made by the DWP every four weeks.
How Can My Carer Claim Carer’s Allowance?
Your carer can claim Carer’s Allowance if they are:
- aged 16 or over
- not in full-time education
- spending at least 35 hours a week caring for you
- earning less than £132 a week
Additionally, if you are the only person they take care of, you should be claiming at least one of the following “qualifying benefits”:
- Armed Forces Independence Payment
- Attendance Allowance
- Constant Attendance Allowance
- Disability Living Allowance (the care component at the middle or highest rate)
- Personal Independence Payment (the daily living component)
To apply for Carer’s Allowance they can either apply online or by calling the Carer’s Allowance Unit at 0800 731 0297.
Payments are usually made every 4 weeks into the claimant’s bank, building society or Post Office card account. Claims valued at £69.70 are paid as a weekly payment for a Carer’s Allowance claim.
Conclusion:
The above discussion brings us to the conclusion that one can claim PIP if they have Osteoporosis but the condition on its own will not make them automatically eligible for the benefit. Anyone suffering from Osteoporosis will need to prove how their condition affects their mobility and ability to take care of themselves before their PIP claim is approved.