Introduction
Are you approaching State Pension age and wondering how it will impact your Personal Independence Payment (PIP)? This guide simplifies what you need to know about your benefits as you turn 66, ensuring you understand your rights and options. If you have any questions or feel overwhelmed, Contend’s highly trained AI legal experts are here to help. With Contend, you can easily navigate your legal concerns and receive the support you need in the UK.
If you’re receiving Personal Independence Payment (PIP) and you’ve just turned 66, also known as reaching State Pension age, you may have some questions about how this affects your benefits. Here’s what you need to know in straightforward terms.
What Happens to Your PIP When You Turn 66?
If you’re already getting PIP when you reach State Pension age, don’t worry—it will continue without interruption. You can check your exact State Pension age on the GOV.UK website.
However, if you haven’t claimed PIP yet, you might not be able to start a new claim after turning 66. There are a couple of exceptions where you can still apply:
- If your previous PIP claim ended within the last year.
- If you were receiving Disability Living Allowance (DLA) and it has stopped in the last year.
Please note that if you were born before April 9, 1948, you cannot apply for PIP at all.
If you find that you can’t claim PIP, you might want to look into Attendance Allowance, which is another form of financial support for those over State Pension age.
What If Your Condition Worsens?
If your health condition gets worse while you’re receiving PIP after your 66th birthday, there are specific rules about how you can increase your benefit.
Reapplying for PIP After Your Previous Claim Ended
If your last PIP claim ended less than a year ago, you may be eligible to make a new claim. However, you can only claim for medical issues that were included in your previous application or for complications that arose from those conditions.
For example, if you previously claimed PIP for diabetes and now you’re experiencing vision problems related to that diabetes, you can apply for PIP again, covering both issues.
Understanding the Mobility Component
PIP includes a “mobility component” designed to help with mobility issues. If you are claiming PIP after reaching State Pension age, there are specific rules regarding this component:
- You cannot start receiving the mobility component unless you were already receiving it in your last claim.
- If you were receiving the standard rate of the mobility component before, you cannot upgrade to the enhanced rate, even if your condition has worsened.
Transitioning from DLA to PIP
If you are currently receiving DLA and were born on or after April 9, 1948, you can switch to PIP. When making your first claim for PIP, there are no extra limits on what you can claim for or the amount you can receive.
How Long Will Your PIP Last?
Once you claim PIP after turning 66, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) usually grants you an “indefinite award.” This means there is no set end date, and the DWP will typically review your award every ten years. If you were already receiving PIP before reaching State Pension age, your award will automatically become indefinite.
Final Thoughts
Navigating benefits like PIP can be confusing, especially as you reach important milestones like State Pension age. If you have questions or need further assistance, consider trying Contend’s legal expert chat. Their highly trained AI legal experts will work with you to provide guidance and help you understand and resolve your legal problems. Contend is the Easiest Legal Help in the UK.
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