I have Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis - would I be able to get help with DLA/PIP?

Hi Stephen,

Thanks for your question.

Firstly can I ask how old you are because DLA has ended for working age adults and has been replaced with Personal Independence Payment (PIP). In order to qualify you have to be aged 16-64.

PIP looks at how your disability affects you rather than the condition itself. Your entitlement to PIP is assessed on your ability to carry out the 12 activity descriptors. You score points for each activity descriptor.
There are 10 activity descriptors for the Daily Living component of PIP and you need to score 8 points to qualify for the standard rate and 12 points for the enhanced rate.
There are two activity descriptors for the Mobility component and again you need to score 8 points for the standard rate and 12 for the enhanced.

With each activity you have to be able to carry out the activity safely, reliably and in good time.

The Benefits and Work website has a really handy PIP self-assessment test and you can go through all of the descriptors and score yourself as you go along. This might give you an idea of whether you will qualify. http://www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/pip/indexxx.php
Also see our PIP pages too for some more PIP resources including all the details you need to make a claim. http://www.scope.org.uk/support/disabled-people/money/pip

If you have any further questions, let me know and I'm happy to talk them through with you.

Best wishes
Debbie