Benefits
Personal Independence Payment (PIP) is a benefit for people who have a long term physical or mental disability and need help participating in everyday life or find it difficult to get around.
In England and Wales PIP has replaced the Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for people aged between 16 and 64.
If you already receive DLA you do not need to do anything until DWP contact you by letter and invite you to apply for PIP. However, if you report a change of circumstances, such as a change in your condition, to the DWP, it will trigger an invitation to apply for PIP. Please be aware the DWP will contact you by letter, so this is something you should look out for, if possible. If you do not respond to the letter your DLA will stop and there may be a delay before you can get PIP.
In some ways PIP has similarities with DLA, for instance they are both made up of 2 components – Daily Living and Mobility (which have 2 rates; standard and enhanced). However, PIP is a different benefit, with a different eligibility criteria, so you may not be able to accurately tell how the transition from DLA to PIP will affect you; you may see an increase in your benefits, or you may see a decrease.
PIP is tax free, is not means tested and you don’t need to have paid National Insurance contributions to be entitled to it.
Benefits for children and young adults with special educational needs.
Benefits can help you live more independently, help families that have children with special educational needs, such as autism. Unfortunately many families don’t know what they are entitled to, how to access the support or know how to fill out forms correctly.
We are here to help you make sure you know what you’re entitled to, how you can get it and how you can challenge decisions that are made about the support you can get if you don’t think they’re right.
If you need further guidance and support with benefit claims, specifically with PIP/DLA applications,
Contact us:info@theknightlytrust.org.uk
Employment
What is The Knightly Trust’s Work Coach Service (WCS)?
If you are able to access paid work but require the right help and support, The Knightly Trust runs a work coach service. We discuss and demonstrate things that help you get ready to work in the future. We allocate a work coach who will assess what type of work you are capable of doing. The work coach will then help you access suitable paid work, voluntary work or training.
What is Employment and Support Allowance?
Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) is a benefit for people who find it harder to get a job because:
• they have a disability
• they have a problem with their health and will have this problem for a long time, or the rest of their lives.
ESA is the replacement for incapacity benefit and receiving income support because you have a disability.
Who can get Employment and Support Allowance?
If you are over 16 and have a disability or ill health, which means you are not able to work, you can apply for Employment and Support Allowance.