£8,292 a year cash lifeline if you have one of more than 25 stomach problems

People in the UK can claim Personal Independence Payments (PIP) in the UK if they are living with health conditions that demand extra living costs. There are around 2.8 million people claiming PIP, according to the latest Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) assessment in March.

Many will qualify for a PIP if they have long-term disability, physical or mental health condition. There is various criteria individuals need to meet to claim the benefit.

The amount a claimant receives each week is dependant on how difficult they find everyday tasks and getting around, reports MyLondon. The highest weekly payments are £172.75 per week or £691 a month, with the payment period for PIP set at four weeks.

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The lowest payment is currently set at £26.90 per week, or £107.60 for the payment period. Currently, two per cent of all PIP claims are for gastrointestinal disabilities and conditions.

That number sits at 27,840 claimants. This includes more common conditions such as Coeliac disease, hernia, Crohn’s disease and Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Some may not realise they are able to claim for PIP if they suffer from a condition such as these, but if it effects their day-to-day life, they could qualify.

The DWP recognises the following gastrointestinal conditions, divided into sub-groups as those issues that qualify for PIP:

Diseases of the small bowel

• Coeliac disease
• Small bowel – Other diseases of / type not known

Inflammatory bowel disease

• Crohn’s disease
• Ulcerative colitis

Diseases of the colon

• Colon – Other diseases of / type not known
• Constipation
• Diverticular disease / diverticulitis

Diseases of the oesophagus, stomach and duodenum

• Hiatus hernia / gastroesophageal reflux disease / reflux oesophagitis
• Oesophageal varices
• Oesophagus, stomach and duodenum – Other diseases of / type not known
• Peptic ulcer (gastric and duodenal)/gastritis

Diseases of the rectum and anus

• Anorectal abscess
• Fistula in anus
• Haemorrhoids
• Rectal prolapse
• Rectum/anus – Other diseases of / type not known

Congenital disorders of the GI tract

• Cleft lip
• Cleft lip with cleft palate
• Hirschprung Disease
• Tracheo-oesophageal fistula/atresia

Abdominal hernias

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)

Benign tumours of the gastrointestinal tract

Other diseases of the gastrointestinal tract

• Attention to artificial opening colostomy/ileostomy/ stoma – no underlying diagnosis
• Gastrointestinal tract – Other diseases of / type not known

How PIP works

There are 2 parts to PIP:

• a daily living part – if you need help with everyday tasks
• a mobility part – if you need help with getting around

Daily living part

You might get the daily living part of PIP if you need help with:

• preparing food
• eating and drinking
• managing your medicines or treatments
• washing and bathing
• using the toilet
• dressing and undressing
• reading
• managing your money
• socialising and being around other people
• talking, listening and understanding

Mobility part

You might get the mobility part of PIP if you need help with:

• working out a route and following it
• physically moving around
• leaving your home

You do not have to have a physical disability to get the mobility part. You might also be eligible if you have difficulty getting around because of a cognitive or mental health condition, like anxiety.

How difficulty with tasks is assessed

The DWP will assess how difficult you find daily living and mobility tasks. For each task they’ll look at:

• whether you can do it safely
• how long it takes you
• how often your condition affects this activity
• whether you need help to do it, from a person or using extra equipment