Attendance Allowance

• From December 2018

The age for claiming Attendance Allowance starts to go up from 65 to 66 in line with a person’s State Pension Age. Therefore the age for claiming Personal Independence Payment also increases to under State Pension Age. For details see our November 2018 Benefit Bulletin

Disability Living Allowance (DLA) and Personal Independence Payment (PIP)

• From Summer 2018

Those who get the highest level of PIP and have severe or progressive conditions will only have a ‘light touch’ review every ten years. You can also make a PP appeal online. For details on this, and other PIP changes, see August 2018 Benefit Bulletin

• From June 2018

Government announce they are changing how they define ‘safely’ and measuring risk when considering PIP claims. For details on this, and other PIP changes, see August 2018 Benefit Bulletin

• From 30 May 2018

PIP court decision involving people with chronic conditions needing regular monitoring or medication, such as diabetes and epilepsy. For details see May 2018 Benefit Bulletin
From March 2017

DWP change the way they assess certain people from March 2017 after a court decision. For details see December 2017 Benefit Bulletin

• From 29 June 2016

PIP and DLA is no longer suspended for under 18 year olds going into hospital.

Normally, after someone has been receiving in-patient care in hospital their PIP or DLA is suspended after 28 days. It’s 84 days for under 16 year olds. From 29 June, those who are under 18 when they enter hospital, their DLA or PIP is not suspended and continues.

• From October 2015

At some stage, remaining DLA claimants who were born after 8 April 1948 and are aged 16 and above will be told they have to claim Personal Independence Payment instead of DLA.

• From 26 January 2015

The following existing DLA claimants in Newcastle will be 'invited' to claim PIP if:

• They tell the DWP about a change in their care or mobility needs;
• Their fixed term award of DLA is due to expire;
• They are turning 16;
• The DLA claimant aged between 16 - 64 voluntarily wants to claim PIP

Remember that the claimant will have to claim PIP. They will not be automatically reassessed.

• From 8 April 2013

Personal Independence Payment (PIP) replaced Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for new claims from people aged 16 to 64 with a health condition or disability.

• More information on Disability Living Allowance
• More information on Personal Independence Payment
• More information on the change from DLA to PIP for adults

For self-help factsheets such as 'What to do if you disagree with a PIP or DLA decision' see our benefits information page

See also changes to benefits for people who are incapable of work

Carer's Allowance

An unpaid carer may be entitled to two benefits if they care for at least 35 hours a week for a person receiving a ‘disability benefit.’ These are the Carer’s Allowance, and possibly an extra ‘carer premium’ in one of several means tested benefits such as Income Support, Housing Benefit or Pension Credit.

Generally this situation will continue when Universal Credit applies. Carers Allowance will continue and those entitled to Universal Credit may have a ‘carer element’ included. This will be similar to the above ‘carer premium’ except that a claim for Carers Allowance does not have to have been made as long as the care is for at least 35 hours a week.

Universal Credit usually has ‘work related requirements’ involving looking for full time work. Carers who care for someone receiving a ‘disability benefit’ for at least 35 hours a week do not have any work related requirements. However, caring for less than 35 hours a week or caring for someone not receiving a ‘disability benefit’, may involve a discussion with the Jobcentre Plus ‘work coach’ about reasonable restrictions on their work related requirements. A non-caring partner may also be considered for work related activity.

• In effect from November 2016

Certain carers will be exempt from the benefit cap

This is a simple summary and other rules may apply. For more information about ‘disability benefits’ and benefits for carers see our benefit information page and Carers UK , and their page on carers and Universal Credit

Universal Credit

Some people who get a disability benefit and other conditions apply, may get over £60 a week in some under some of the benefits that Universal Credit is replacing - called the Severe Disability Premium. They are getting some protection from losing out under Universal Credit.  See  Universal Credit. 

For a comprehensive list of benefit changes see our 'timeline of benefit changes' on our changes to the benefits system page