Claim PIP for gastrointestinal conditions and you could get up to £691 a month

According to the latest Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) assessment in March of this year there are around 2.8 million people in the UK claiming Personal Independence Payments (PIP), a benefit supporting those living with health conditions that demand extra living costs.

Someone can qualify for PIP if they have a a long-term physical or mental health condition or disability. You can qualify even if you are working or getting other benefits, with the amount you receive per week dependant on how difficult you find everyday tasks and getting around.

Those able to claim the highest payments will receive £172.75 per week or £691 a month, with the payment period for PIP set at four weeks. Those receiving with the lowest payment currently £26.90 per week, or £107.60 for the payment period.

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At the moment two per cent of all PIP claims are for gastrointestinal disabilities and conditions, with the stated number of claimants at 27,840. This includes conditions like Coeliac disease, Crohn’s disease and Irritable Bowel Syndrome.

Many people may be put off claiming PIP amid doubts their condition qualifies, but it’s important to understand that it is how the condition affects you in your day-to-day life that determines the level of financial support you are awarded.

The DWP recognises the following gastrointestinal disabilities, divided into sub-groups as qualifying conditions for PIP:

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 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 rectum and anus

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

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)

Benign tumours of the gastrointestinal tract

Abdominal hernias

Congenital disorders of the GI tract

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

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

Applying for PIP

You can make a new claim by contacting the DWP, you will find all the information you need to apply on the GOV.UK website here.

If you need help understanding or applying for PIP you can:

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