For disabled people in the UK, navigating the Personal Independence Payment (PIP) process has long been a challenge. Now, a game-changing tool from Turn2us promises to simplify applications with tailored guidance and mental health support.
This Tool Helps Disabled People Claim Up to £737 a Month — Here’s How It Works
By Arezki AMIRI
Published on 17 November 2024 15:06
A leading UK charity, Turn2us, has launched the PIP Helper, a digital tool to simplify the Personal Independence Payment (PIP) application process for people with disabilities and long-term health conditions. This tool seeks to address widespread issues with accessibility and clarity, helping more people claim the financial support they need.
Addressing a Pressing Need
Currently, one in three disabled individuals in the UK lives in poverty, with additional daily costs averaging £1,010 per month compared to non-disabled households. While PIP, administered by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), offers up to £737.20 every four weeks to assist with these extra costs, £870 million in benefits goes unclaimed annually due to application challenges.
Developed with input from PIP claimants and health charities, the Turn2us PIP Helper seeks to bridge this gap by simplifying the process, improving claim accuracy, and providing essential support.
Below are the core features of the PIP Helper:
- Eligibility checker
- Guides users through tailored questions about the impact of their condition on daily life.
- Provides guidance on exceptions for non-UK or Irish citizens.
- Award estimator
- Offers a forecast of potential awards by aligning user needs with PIP's criteria.
- Allows users to save progress and return later.
- Personalised form tips
- Delivers tailored tips for completing the PIP application form, addressing common challenges and ensuring clarity.
- Enhances claim accuracy, increasing chances of success.
- Assessment preparation and decision guidance
- Prepares users for assessments (in-person, phone, online, or home-based).
- Provides guidance on interpreting decision letters and exploring next steps, including reconsideration or appeals.
- Mental wellbeing and rights resources
- Developed in partnership with Mind, offers videos and resources to support mental health.
- Educates users on their legal rights, reducing stress during the application process.
- Enhanced accessibility
- Designed to be inclusive, with features like screen reader compatibility, video captions, audio descriptions, and British Sign Language (BSL) services.
Why the 'PIP Helper' Tool is Necessary?
The PIP application process has long been criticized for its complexity. Many applicants, particularly those applying for mental health reasons, struggle with:
- Lengthy forms.
- Complex language.
- Misunderstandings about eligibility.
- Insufficient support during the assessment phase.
By integrating tailored guidance, mental health support, and accessibility features, the PIP Helper aims to address these challenges head-on.
Impact in numbers
| Challenge | Current Impact | PIP Helper Solution |
| Unclaimed benefits | £870 million unclaimed annually | Clear guidance and tailored support |
| Additional costs | £1,010/month average for disabled households | Access to financial support |
| Mental health barriers | Forms and assessments increase stress | Wellbeing resources and legal information |
| Accessibility issues | Limited tools for people with impairments | Inclusive design features |
Collaboration and Impact
The PIP Helper was developed over two years, incorporating input from PIP claimants, mental health charities, and disability advocacy groups. Michael Clarke, Turn2us’s head of information programs, described the tool as a vital step toward reducing barriers to financial support for disabled individuals.
Michael Paul from Disability Rights UK and Stephen Buckley from Mind highlighted the tool's role in addressing systemic issues, particularly those affecting individuals with mental health conditions. Both organizations contributed to ensuring the tool meets diverse needs effectively.