The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has confirmed a full list of 19 blood conditions that qualify for Personal Independence Payment (PIP), with payments of up to £434 per month available in June. Blood disorders are among the conditions eligible for this benefit, which is designed to help with the extra costs of living with a long-term health condition or disability.
How Much is PIP Worth?
PIP is paid at two rates: the standard rate and the enhanced rate. The enhanced rate is worth £114 per week, or £456 over a four-week pay period. The benefit is split into two components: the daily living part and the mobility part. The daily living component ranges from £76 to £114 per week, while the mobility component ranges from £30 to £80 per week. PIP is not means-tested, so your income or savings do not affect eligibility. You can claim even if you are working or studying.
Who Can Claim PIP?
You can claim PIP if you have a long-term physical or mental illness or disability, and you have had difficulties with everyday tasks or moving around for at least three months before claiming. You must also expect these difficulties to continue for at least nine months after claiming. Additionally, you must be aged 16 or over and under State Pension age. If you are a carer with an illness or disability, you can claim PIP for yourself without affecting any Carer's Allowance you receive. You cannot make a new claim for PIP once you have reached State Pension age.
Full List of 19 Blood Conditions
The DWP has published the following list of blood conditions that qualify for PIP, along with the number of claimants for each:
- Sickle cell disease – 2,563 claimants
- Blood disorders (type not known) – 1,705
- Anaemias (other/type not known) – 804
- Haemophilia A – 770
- Clotting disorders (other/type not known) – 758
- Autoimmune (idiopathic) thrombocytopaenic purpura (ITP) – 464
- Polycythaemia – 381
- Thalassaemia – 362
- Anaemia – B12 (pernicious) – 357
- Anaemia – folate deficiency – 357
- Haemolytic disorders (other/type not known) – 303
- Anaemia – iron deficiency – 288
- Anaemia – aplastic – 187
- Platelet disorders (other/type not known) – 150
- Von Willebrand's disease – 132
- Haemophilia B (Christmas disease) – 109
- Metabolic red cell disorders (other/type not known) – 85
- Hereditary spherocytosis – 40
- Glucose 6 phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency – 18
How to Spend PIP
If you are awarded PIP, you can spend the money on whatever makes life easier for you. It does not have to be spent on care. The benefit is intended to help with the extra costs of living with a disability or health condition.
