PIP claimants may save hundreds with these 7 freebies and reductions

While residing prices stay excessive, Personal Independence Payment (PIP) claimants are being urged to verify in the event that they’re taking advantage of the reductions and freebies accessible.

Around 22.4 million people declare some mixture of Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) advantages to get by, however many are nonetheless struggling whereas inflation stays at 8.7 %.

There are quite a few methods to obtain further monetary assist that many might not be conscious of. People who declare sure advantages, corresponding to PIP, could be entitled to help value hundreds of kilos, so it would pay to know what’s on the market.

Disabled Facilities Grant

People who declare advantages for a incapacity in England may obtain a grant of as much as £30,000 if they should make modifications to their house, whereas claimants in Wales and Northern Ireland may eligible for grants as much as £36,000 and £25,000, respectively.

The cash can be utilized to pay for enhancements corresponding to putting in a walk-in bathe or a stairlift, or adapting heating or lighting management techniques.

The quantity an individual will get will rely on quite a lot of components, corresponding to their family earnings and whether or not they have financial savings of over £6,000. To apply, claimants need to undergo their local council.

Council tax

PIP claimants could also be entitled to a reduction on council tax of as much as one hundred pc, relying on the part and charge of PIP the claimant is receiving.

People can apply in the event that they personal their house, lease, are unemployed or working, and it’s suggested they contact their native authority to seek out out in the event that they might be eligible and the way a lot the invoice will likely be diminished.

Free bus move

Claimants might also be entitled to obtain free native bus journey in England. This takes form by way of the disabled individual’s bus move and is distributed by native councils as a part of the English National Concessionary Travel Scheme. It is usually recommended that claimants contact them to seek out out who can difficulty this.

Vehicle tax exemption

PIP claimants who obtain a mobility part of the profit also can declare car tax exemption, which may knock between 50 % and one hundred pc off the worth.

People who obtain the usual charge of the mobility part could be entitled to 50 % off, whereas those that obtain the improved mobility charge could be eligible to get one hundred pc off.

Disabled Person’s Railcard

PIP claimants might also be eligible for a Disabled Person’s Railcard, which may grant a reduction of a 3rd off of practice journey. The card prices £20 for one 12 months of £54 for 3 years and individuals are estimated to make a saving of as much as £91, based mostly on knowledge extracted from customers between April 2021 and March 2022.

Free prescriptions

Depending on the medical situation a PIP claimant could have, they might be entitled to free NHS prescriptions. The present NHS prescription cost per merchandise sits at £9.65, so for individuals who want a number of gadgets continuously, this has the potential to save lots of them a sizeable sum.

If eligible, individuals can usually get free treatment at a pharmacy for minor sicknesses, corresponding to colds, coughs, and eczema, by way of the NHS minor illnesses scheme, too.

The minor illnesses scheme is at present extensively accessible throughout Northern Ireland, Wales and Scotland, however solely in chosen pharmacies throughout England. The medicines included within the scheme also can fluctuate relying on the place the individual lives, so individuals are urged to speak to their native pharmacy to seek out out what they provide.

Discounted TV licence

People who’re blind (severely sight impaired), or reside with somebody who’s blind, might be entitled to a blind concession TV licence. This would cut back the annual payment from £159 to £79.50 for a color TV licence and £26.75 for a black and white TV licence.

To declare, individuals should present not less than one of many following paperwork to verify they’re licensed as blind:

• A CVI (Certificate of Visual Impairment)
• A BD8 Certificate
• A certificates or doc issued by a neighborhood authority that reveals they’re registered as blind (severely sight impaired)
• A replica of a certificates from an ophthalmologist (eye surgeon), stating that they’re blind (severely sight impaired).

However, it have to be famous that those that are partially sight impaired is not going to qualify for the 50 % blind concession.

PIP claimants aged 75 years or older receiving Pension Credit might be entitled to a full low cost. Find out extra about this here.