Easy News: The government might change Personal Independence Payments

1. 

   The Government wants Personal Independence Payments (often called PIP) to change.

2. 

   PIP is a government benefit paid to help people who have a long-term disability or mental health need.

3. 

   Before someone can get PIP, they have to be assessed to see if they qualify. This involves answering questions about what they can and can’t do because of their health needs.

4. 

   The most money someone can get from Personal Independence Payments is £185 a week.

5. 

   Right now, 2.6 million people get some level of Personal Independence Payments. That is about 4 out of every 100 people in Britain. 2.6 mill is from the green paper.

6. 

   The Government is worried that more and more people are asking for PIP each year, and that this could cost them £28 billion by 2028. They say this is too much money.

7. 

   Many people are asking for PIP because they are disabled by their mental health. The Government says they will spend more money on mental health care, so more people will feel better enough to work.

8. 

   Right now, PIP are made every 4 weeks. The Government thinks some people only need 1 big payment. For example, money to help make their house wheelchair accessible.

9. 

   The Government wants to make sure PIP are only on things related to people’s disability. They might give out vouchers for services instead of money.

10. 

    They are also thinking about making PIP work by reimbursements. This means the person buys what they need out of their own money, and then the Government pays them back after.

11. 

    The Government is also thinking about making people get a diagnosis before asking for a PIP. This means a doctor must first say you are ill.

12. 

    Many charities who help disabled people are worried by these ideas. Scope said they were “deeply concerned”.
    
    Mind said these changes would “make things worse”.
    
    Disability Rights UK said some of the ideas are “dangerous”.

13. 

    They say that the Government is only interested in spending less money, and that the changes will make life worse for people with disabilities.

14. 

    At the moment, none of the changes are agreed. This means they may not happen.

15. 

    The Government is asking people to tell them what they think about these ideas. You can tell them what you think up until 22nd July 2024. Click here to do this.

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