PIP claimants might save £1,400 with further reductions and freebies
Being disabled costs around £12,120 every year, but there are ways to save money ahead of the DWP’s huge benefit changes that are expected to hit families hard this April
Claimants of disability benefits are being warned they could be overlooking significant savings opportunities. Georgina Colman, who has first-hand experience of the extra costs associated with being disabled, decided to help by launching the discount site Purpl.
The platform offers discounts on a wide range of items from gaming and pet food to disability aids and transport. It is designed to help cut down on the additional £12,120 that it costs for disabled people to go about their daily life.
The company estimates that the average disabled household could save £118 per month. By taking full advantage of these discounts, some of the most vulnerable individuals in our society could potentially save £1,411 annually.
Some of the discounts include a £50 energy credit from Octopus Energy and £100 off Betty & Bertie mobility scooters. To qualify for the discount site, you will need to provide documents to confirm your disability status. These include:
- PIP and DLA award letter.
- Disabled rail card.
- Attendance Allowance letter.
- Access card.
- CEA card.
- War pension (disability component) letter.
- Blue Badge (photo side).
- Access to work / ESA letter.
- Disabled bus pass.
Georgina, who is living with multiple sclerosis, shared her concerns regarding the welfare discussions.
She said: “With the current talks about welfare support, disabled people may have even more financial pressure in the future. I hope that through Purpl, we can help disabled people with their everyday expenses so life is a little easier and more affordable.”
Personal Independence Payment (PIP), like Pension Credit, opens access up to an assortment of extra concessions and discounts such as those offered by Purpl.
Claimants may qualify for other support, including but not limited to, the Blue Badge scheme, reduced water bills, council tax reductions, disability premiums, grants for home modifications, complimentary prescriptions, discounted tolls, reduced fees for leisure activities and a decrease in vehicle tax.
While there are alternative ways to claim some of these reductions and free benefits, possessing a PIP award certificate streamlines the validation process for claiming them.
Leveraging all accessible supplementary benefits could result in savings exceeding the value of the PIP you receive.
Coming this April, there will be a 1.7% increase in PIP payments in line with the uptick in other DWP benefits. As it stands, the minimal sum receivable from PIP’s standard mobility component is £28.70 weekly, which is set to go up to £29.20 per week.
For those obtaining the maximum, merging enhanced rates for both mobility and daily living elements, the current figure stands at £184.30. After April 6, the total weekly amount is expected to rise to £187.45.
