New government figures have shown a whopping £870 million is sitting unclaimed due to people not meeting eligibility criteria due to blunders on the application paperwork. Those claiming on Personal Independence Payment might be losing out because of what’s known as unfulfilled eligibility.
They could be eligible for more PIP assistance due to changes in their conditions but haven’t given enough up-to-date details for the DWP to work out and reassess their situation, for example, if their condition takes a turn for the worse or they need extra assistance. The government estimates about £860 million isn’t being claimed due to this oversight, putting the rate of unfulfilled eligibility for PIP at around 4%.
Tom Farquhar, expert on benefits info at disability equality charity Scope, said he believes it’s the “fear and distrust” disabled people have towards the disability benefits system that’s stopping them from updating their records and grabbing the full amount they’re owed. He said: “The DWP need to do more to ensure disabled people are getting all the money they’re entitled to.”
In response to the issue, a spokesperson from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) said, “Our welfare system supports millions of people every year and our priority is [that] they receive all the support they are entitled to. We promote benefits through public communications campaigns and we encourage people to phone our PIP helpline for support with their claim and to report a change in their needs or circumstances.”
Claimants are always advised to notify the DWP promptly if there’s any change in health or living situations. This can be done by phoning the enquiry line at 0800 121 4433, text phone on 0800 121 4493 or via Relay UK on 18001 then 0800 121 4433. Claimants can even compose a letter addressed to the DWP via the address mentioned in their benefits form. If anyone is experiencing troubles with the claims procedure, additional aid is available for them.
It’s also possible to request someone else to handle your call or even call on your behalf if needed. In sync with revealing how millions haven’t claimed their entitled benefits, the DWP shared the most frequently overlooked changes that may lead to underclaimed PIP entitlements. Surprisingly, some of these factors don’t pertain to the claimant’s disability.
The most commonly neglected updates include:
- Coming back to reside in Great Britain after an overseas stay.
- Changes in savings in banks, building societies, cash, ISA/PEPs, Premium Bonds, properties or shares.
- Changes in income gained from employment undertaken by either you or your partner.
- Childcare expense changes
- Caring responsibilities undertaken by you or your partner for at least 35 hours per week.
- Changes in the personal circumstances of an ineligible partner, such as immigration status.
- A worsening health condition that affects your ability to carry out activities for which PIP, Disability Living Allowance or Attendance Allowance is considered.
- Returning home from hospital or a registered care home.
- Changes in the household, such as a non-dependant individual leaving the home.
- Changes in housing costs.
- Decreases or incorrect reporting of income from non-state pensions like workplace schemes, annuities or personal investments.
- Decreases or incorrect reporting of household income from sources like sick pay from work, spousal maintenance, partner’s student income, unemployment, or similar insurance policy payments.
- Decreases or incorrect reporting of other benefits being received.
- Living with another person in a joint household.
- Decreases or incorrect reporting of tax credits.