Means-testing PIP
I thought this possibility had gone away until I saw this on B&W. I don't know whether it's genuine or someone seeking to scare the vulnerable.
EDIT: More than a rumour. I would have no income whatsoever:
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All over X. I won't sleep tonight. I'm beginning to wish I didn't have a penny and could claim UC but I always wanted as much independence as my extreme disability allows.
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That sounds like an administrative nightmare…
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Why? There is no admin nightmare about means-testing UC or the other benefits people have been able to claim until absorbed into UC.
Scared to death. It's mentioned on YouTube now:
https://youtu.be/KbQgc7qNLG0?si=N0yNzhKmtdY0cKQC
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I'm trying not to rise to possible news until it's cemented in law, but I think means tested PIP would totally go against what PIP is actually for.
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The combination of losing CB-ESA (likely) and PIP (possible) would leave me with zero income bar interest from savings which are hardly millions! I'd die. Simple as that.
A contact said its illegal for the state to leave a person without any source of income but when I look at the country today I'm convinced she's wrong. What say you?
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Apologies if I've missed something here, but why can't you claim Universal Credit once your savings drop below £16k?
PIP isn't classed as income so I doubt there are any legal issues in stopping that.
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Undermining PIP, as well as the universal principle, is the whole point. that's why government ministers are deliberately claiming PIP is in an work benefit.
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You haven't missed anything. You've proved what I've said here and elsewhere that people on means-tested benefits (as I was for many years) have little sympathy for people who stand to lose previously non means-tested benefits. Do we all have to have less than £16K before receiving a relatively small amount to deal with major disability? When I came off means-tested benefits I thought I'd be OK if I lived very frugally. It's been hard. Now it's getting harder. Yes. No doubt I'll be back on means-tested benefits.
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If they means test, I'd be totally reliant on my partners pension income to support me. Can't really see it getting enough support to be pushed through parliament. Let's get this first round of **** out of the way before we start driving ourselves insane with what else may come.
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Funny this has come about... As I posted previously, a bank employee told me the DWP were checking bank accounts. I said, that will be for UC and she instantly replied "and PIP".... I said PIP is not means tested and she just gave me that look of are you sure....
That said, the bank employee could be wrong, so don't be worrying!!
PIP is not means tested for a reason, and to mean test it would be going back on the whole idea of the disability payment. This government are a disgrace.
{Comment removed by moderator - uncivil}
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I'm the same - I have some savings from over 15 years ago (when I worked full time) - slowly, over the years, these savings have diminished - still over the cut off… used for various things like a wet-room extension (which saved the government thousands in home improvement grants).
I am not exactly "loaded" and would miss my monthly PIP extremely badly.
I just hope that they leave it non-means tested
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If they means test it I will become destitute and homeless but it appears that is what this callous government want.
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I've read that this has been discussed for years. I'm really trying to not allow things to bother me, worrying about things before they happen can ruin your life and I'm really trying to stop myself from doing this. I think if you've paid NI then you should have a sickness benefit no matter your savings. If you haven't then you have UC benefit. No one can be left with no income and to live off their savings because eventually everyone will be on UC, it doesn't make sense. I think America have a benefit system liked to income or previous income and maybe we should too
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There are many, that I know personally have no relevant reason to claim PIP at all due to their already large income. One friend has 5 homes scattered between England, France, Portugal, Australia and Miami. Additionally I am aware that he/they claim every benefit that the welfare state allows. This gives them a monthly income of close to £1000 a week including PIP.
Surely for those that have more than enough income to live off should not be able to receive PIP/AA. Means testing is the only way that can make welfare payments fair.
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If I owned 5 homes across the globe I wouldn't claim PIP. I'd save myself the heartbreak.
But that doesn't mean your friends ought not be entitled to it, though one could make a case for taxing it. The "relevant" reason is their disabling conditions.
PIP claimants are not supposed to leave the UK for more than 4 weeks without telling the DWP. The entitlements for temporary absences are perhaps over generous, except in the case of medical treatment.
I cannot imagine how your friends receive almost £1000 per week in DWP benefits. Their multiple homes are assets that, like income/ savings would certainly rule out anything means-tested.
This story doesn't make sense.
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His PIP nets him £187.45 per week. He has a lifetime IIDB award of another £180+ per week.
His state pension (old pre-2016) amounts to some £320 per week.
Additionally, he receives over £500 net income per week from at least 5 private pensions/annuities that I am aware of. That adds up to well over £1000 per week!
Additionally, he saves on car parking charges courtesy of his Blue Badge and pays no Road Tax on his car which would have cost currently over £5000 per year.
Should his PIP be means tested? He definitely has no 'extra' expenses relating to that claim. Clearly, he has no financial need to claim it. But whilst the system allows it he like many others will take advantage of it.
He is also fully aware of the regulations affecting his PIP or IIDB by time out of the UK. None of his income is means tested currently.
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Fair for whom ?
PIP is supposed to make up for the additional expenses that a disabled person has - no mention of any other income/savings !
And - in my case, it definitely does NOT pay anywhere near the costs that my disability make - £63k on a downstairs bathroom etc
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PIP isn’t a poverty handout. It recognises the extra barriers disability creates, no matter your income. Means testing it would effectively punish people for living long enough to retire or for having saved responsibly.
There are no current plans to means test PIP, and no legislation has been proposed to change that. In fact, Stephen Timms stated clearly in Parliament before the summer recess that the government is not pursuing means testing.
State pension, private pensions, annuities are all taxable once income exceeds the personal allowance. Your friend is paying tax. His income is already net of tax, and PIP does not exempt him from paying tax on his private pensions once he passes the £12,500 threshold. PIP is paid to acknowledge the additional costs that disability brings.
The £5,000 car tax claim is misleading. That is a one-off levy for brand new, high-emission vehicles in their first year, not an annual charge. Using it here inflates the issue far beyond reality.
And the Blue Badge it is not about avoiding parking fees. It is about access. It exists so people can park closer when walking is not possible. Charge exemptions are incidental, not the point. Most importantly, he only has a Blue Badge because he meets the strict PIP criteria.
Personally, I am always glad when someone gets the support they are entitled to, because let’s be honest, PIP is a very hard benefit to qualify for.
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IMO, the only thing of which your "friend" is guilty, is a lack of discernment in terms of with whom he shares his information.
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"PIP isn’t a poverty handout"
There is no hierarchy of welfare benefits! Every welfare benefit is a 'poverty handout'.
AI Overview
A poverty benefit is financial assistance provided by the governmentor other organizations to individuals and families who lack sufficient income to meet essential needs,aiming to reduce povertyand provide a safety net.Examples in the UK includeUniversal Credit(UC), which is the main benefit for working-age people, and disability benefits likePersonal Independence Payment (PIP).1
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