AQW 21335/17-22 Written question to the Minister for Communities
To ask the Minister for Communities for her assessment of the benefits of the Personal Independence Payment system, relative to its predecessor, the Disability Living Allowance.
Asked by Claire Sugden MLA on 2 July 2021
- Answered
- Written
- After due date
- Tabled
- 2 July 2021
- Answer due by
- 21 July 2021
- Answered
- 2 August 202131 days after tabling
- Department
- Department for Communities
- Priority question
- No
Answer
Personal Independence Payment (PIP) was developed in DWP from early 2010.
The stated policy behind PIP is to provide support to individuals experiencing barriers to living an independent life. It moved away from automatic entitlement for certain conditions.
PIP is paid to help with the extra costs associated with a long-term health condition or disability and is a non-contributory, non means-tested and tax-free benefit and it is payable regardless of employment status.
Entitlement to PIP is not based on an individual’s condition, but on how the person is affected by it.