People suffering from a number of stomach conditions could qualify for up to £691 a month from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).
Recent figures show there were around 2.8m people in the UK claiming Personal Independence Payments (PIP), a benefit supporting those living with health conditions that demand extra living costs, in March of this year.
Someone can qualify for PIP if they have a a long-term physical or mental health condition or disability. You can qualify even if you are working or getting other benefits, with the amount you receive per week dependant on how difficult you find everyday tasks and getting around.
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Those able to claim the highest payments will receive £172.75 per week or £691 a month, with the payment period for PIP set at four weeks. Those receiving with the lowest payment currently £26.90 per week, or £107.60 for the payment period, MyLondon reports.
Currently, 2% of all PIP claims are for gastrointestinal disabilities and conditions, with the stated number of claimants at 27,840. This includes conditions like Coeliac disease, Crohn’s disease and Irritable Bowel Syndrome.
Many people may be put off claiming PIP amid doubts their condition qualifies, but it’s important to understand that it is how the condition affects you in your day-to-day life that determines the level of financial support you are awarded.
The DWP recognises the following gastrointestinal disabilities, divided into sub-groups as qualifying conditions for PIP:
Diseases of the oesophagus, stomach and duodenum
- Hiatus hernia / gastroesophageal reflux disease / reflux oesophagitis
- Oesophageal varices
- Oesophagus, stomach and duodenum – Other diseases of / type not known
- Peptic ulcer (gastric and duodenal)/gastritis
Diseases of the small bowel
- Coeliac disease
- Small bowel – Other diseases of / type not known
Inflammatory bowel disease
- Crohn’s disease
- Ulcerative colitis
Diseases of the colon
- Colon – Other diseases of / type not known
- Constipation
- Diverticular disease / diverticulitis
Diseases of the rectum and anus
- Anorectal abscess
- Fistula in anus
- Haemorrhoids
- Rectal prolapse
- Rectum/anus – Other diseases of / type not known
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
Benign tumours of the gastrointestinal tract
Abdominal hernias
- Hernia
Congenital disorders of the GI tract
- Cleft lip
- Cleft lip with cleft palate
- Hirschprung Disease
- Tracheo-oesophageal fistula/atresia
Other diseases of the gastrointestinal tract
- Attention to artificial opening colostomy/ileostomy/ stoma – no underlying diagnosis
- Gastrointestinal tract – Other diseases of / type not known
You can make a new claim by contacting the DWP, you will find all the information you need to apply on the GOV.UK website here.
If you need help understanding or applying for PIP you can:
- get help from Citizens Advice
- watch PIP video guides with British Sign Language
- use easy read guides which explain PIP
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