DWP says new rates will hit people who claim 'four' disability benefits

DWP says new rates will hit people who claim 'four' disability benefits

by · Birmingham Live

New rates for Personal Independence Payments (PIP) have been confirmed by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). The Work and Pensions Secretary has confirmed a 1.7 per cent rise in disability benefits, including PIP, Disability Living Allowance (DLA), Attendance Allowance and Carer's Allowance.

An uprating of 1.7 per cent will see those on disability benefits receive between £29.20 and £187.45 each week, or £116.80 or £749.80 every four-week pay period. Over the course of the financial year, this will result in people on the highest awards receiving an extra £9,747 in cash assistance.

The top figure of £749.80 is based on an individual receiving the highest award for both daily living and mobility components. PIP, Adult Disability Payment, Child Disability Payment and DLA all have estimated weekly rates displayed.

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The lower care award for daily living components of disability payments will rise to £29.20 (from £28.70), standard allowances will go to £73.90 (from £72.65) and the enhanced rate will be £110.40 (from £108.55). Mobility standard rates rise to £29.20 (from £28.70).

Enhanced mobility rates rise to £77.05 (from £75.75). Attendance Allowance lower rates will be £73.90 (from £72.65) and higher rates £110.40 (from £108.55). Carers will see the Carer's Allowance shifted to weekly payment rates of £83.30 (from £81.90).

Four-week pay period rates will rise to £333.20 (from £327.60). The weekly earnings threshold for Carer's Allowance in England and Wales will rise from £151 to £196, equivalent to 16 hours at the National Living Wage, the DWP guidance states.

Those with caring responsibilities will able to earn more without losing government support, with the Carer’s Allowance earnings threshold boosted by £45 a week to £196, benefitting more than 60,000 carers by 2029/30. This is the biggest ever cash increase in the earnings threshold for Carer’s Allowance. This is alongside an independent review into Carer’s Allowance Overpayments led by Liz Sayce OBE.