Anyone in the UK who suffers with respiratory conditions which affect everyday life could be eligible for £627 each month from the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP).
New data shows an increase in the number of people receiving support for 24 types of respiratory conditions.
These include asthma, Cystic Fibrosis, Sleep apnoea, chronic bronchitis, emphysema and pneumonia.
In January, almost 2.9 million people across the UK claimed support through Personal Independence Payments (PIP) – with just one in three claimants receiving the highest level of award.
Inhalers are commonly used by asthma sufferers
Yui Mok
PIP rates range between £97.80 and £627.60 for every claimant, every four weeks.
Here is a list of the respiratory conditions supported through PIP:
- Sleep apnoea
- Other types or unknown upper respiratory tract diseases
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
- Chronic bronchitic
- Emphysema
- Bronchiectasis
- Cystic fibrosis
- Asthma
- Extrinsic allergic alveolitis
- Fibrosing alveolitis
- Other types or unknown pulmonary fibrosis
- Asbestosis
- Coal workers' pneumoconiosis
- Other types or unknown pneumoconiosis
- Silicosis
- Granulomatous lung disease and pulmonary infiltration and other or unknown types
- Sarcoidosis
- Empyema
- Pleural effusion
- Pneumothorax
- Other diseases or unknown types of pleura
- Lung transplantation
- Heart and lung transplantation
- Pulmonary embolus
- Pneumonia
- Other types or unknown lower respiratory tract diseases.
An asthma sufferer
PA Features Archive/Press Association Images
PIP is offered at four different weekly rates depending on what the claimant has difficulties with and the severity of their condition.
The daily living aspect provides £61.85 per week on the lower rate and £92.40 on the higher rate for those who struggle to do certain tasks like eating, cleaning or socialising.
The mobility aspect helps claimants who struggle physically getting around.
You do not necessarily need a physical disability to claim it.
This aspect offers £24.45 on the lower rate and £64.50 on the higher rate.
If someone is granted the higher rate of both aspects, it amounts to £627.60.
People who receive the higher rate of the mobility aspect can potentially use their benefits towards the cost of leasing a car, scooter, powered wheelchair or wheelchair accessible vehicle through the motability scheme.
If their condition is affecting their ability or limiting their capacity to work they could also be eligible for Employment and Support Allowance.
To be eligible for PIP, claimants have to be between the ages of 16 and state pension age.
As part of the application process, Brits have to fill out a claim form and then attend an assessment to see the severity of how their condition impacts their lives.