DWP says people with breathing issues may be eligible to £9,000 annual payments
DWP says people with breathing issues may be eligible to £9,000 annual payments
According to the latest figures, 137,957 people in the UK currently receive PIP for these conditions.
If you have a respiratory condition that affects your daily life you could be eligible for PIP
(Image: Getty )
You could be entitled to up to £749 monthly from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) if you are living with one of more than 20 respiratory conditions. If any of these breathing issues affect your daily life, you might qualify for Personal Independence Payments (PIP).
The most recent data from the DWP reveals that as of January's end, approximately 137,957 individuals were receiving PIP to assist with a respiratory condition. This figure also encompasses 1,251 residents in Scotland whose existing PIP claim is yet to be transferred to Adult Disability Payment (ADP).
These conditions encompass severe asthma, upper respiratory tract disease, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), and asbestosis among others. As reported by the Daily Record, a successful PIP or ADP claim can provide between £29.20 and £187.45 weekly in additional financial support - a maximum of £8,988 a year.
Since the benefit is disbursed every four weeks, this equates to between £116.80 and £749.80 each pay period. The latest statistics from Asthma and Living UK indicate that there are currently 5.4 million people across the UK undergoing treatment for asthma, including 68,000 residents in Scotland, equivalent to one in 14.
The charity's data also reveals that around 160,000 individuals nationwide are diagnosed with asthma annually and that approximately 250,000 adults and children are living with severe asthma.
Respiratory conditions eligible for PIP include:
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Emphysema
Granulomatous lung disease and pulmonary infiltration
Pneumoconiosis incluing asbestosis, pneumoconiosis - coal workers, and silicosis
Sarcoidosis
Pneumonia
Diseases of the upper respiratory tract including sleep apnoea - obstructive
Pulmonary fibrosis including extrinsic allergic alveolitis, and fibrosing alveolitis
Disease of the pleura including empyema, pleural effusion, pneumothorax, and lung transplantation
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
Asthma
Heart and lung transplantation
Lower respiratory tract - other diseases of/type not known
Cystic Fibrosis
Pulmonary embolus
Bronchiectasis
Chronic bronchitis
When it comes to understanding PIP claims, note that the determinations are made on how a person's condition, long-term illness or disability impacts their daily life, and not on the basis of the medical condition itself. The DWP clarifies this within the current version of the online PIP Handbook.
According to the official guidance found on GOV.UK: "As the assessment principles consider the impact of a claimant's condition on their ability to live independently and not the condition itself, claimants with the same condition may get different outcomes. The outcome is based on an independent assessment and all available evidence."
Eligibility for PIP or ADP help
For eligibility for PIP or ADP, people must be experiencing difficulties with day-to-day living or mobility (or both) for at least three months and expect these challenges to persist for a minimum of nine months. Typically, you must have resided in the UK for at least two of the past three years and be present in the country at the time of application.
In addition to what we have outlined above if you get or need help with any of the following because of your condition, you should consider applying for PIP or ADP:
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Working out a route and following it
Leaving your home
Washing, bathing, using the toilet, managing incontinence
Eating, drinking or preparing food
Physically moving around
Making decisions about money
Talking, listening, reading and understanding
Dressing and undressing
Managing your medicines or treatments
Mixing with other people
If you're terminally ill, different rules apply. You can find these on the GOV.UK website here.
To initiate a new claim, contact the DWP. All the necessary information for application is available on the GOV.UK website here.
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Supporting your gut health does not need to be complicated. 'Including more fermented foods for seven to 14 days, alongside 30 different plants, could significantly improve the abundance of healthy bacteria in your gut. 'Plant foods include everything from fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, herbs, legumes, grains, teas and spices – so there is a lot to choose from. 'Fibre is also crucial - we should all be aiming for 30g a day - as it promotes a healthy microbiome, and helps to keep us fuller for longer and support balanced blood sugar.' She adds: 'Be sure to go outdoors and get some fresh air. Sunlight can influence gut health and help improve your mood and energy levels. 'But also prioritise getting seven to nine hours of sleep, which is important to help maintain gut health, plus a lack of sleep makes us crave more sugar and feel too tired to cook.' 3. 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The app is available on iOS and Android devices. 5. Eat 30 plants per week 7 Aim to eat 30 different plants every week Credit: Getty STUDIES show that a diverse diet results in a lower risk of hay fever symptoms. Yet approximately two thirds of all UK adults still don't manage to eat the bare minimum of five portions of fruits and vegetables per day. Health experts now recommend aiming for 30 different plant-based foods per week to truly optimise wellbeing. The good news is, this isn't limited to fruit and veg; it also includes herbs, spices, nuts and seeds. 'I suggest including key anti-inflammatory microbiome supporting foods such as garlic, turmeric, and apples to help support the body's immune response,' Stephanie says. 'Limit your intake of caffeine, alcohol and highly processed foods as they can compromise the microbiome and impact immune health.' 6. Do a spring clean 7 Keeping your house clean can help minimise allergens Credit: Getty A DEEP clean isn't just cathartic; it could also help to ease hay fever symptoms - so don't let those chores build up! Vacuuming behind the sofa, under rugs, and in hard-to-reach corners along with changing your bedding weekly can help to minimise allergens in the house. Keeping the windows and doors closed during peak pollen hours, as well as investing in an air filter, can also help to keep your home pollen-free.
