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DWP could give people on PIP, DLA, ADP and Attendance Allowance an extra £326 per month

by · NottinghamshireLive

People receiving disability benefits could be eligible for an additional £326 a month under certain circumstances. This would include an extra £81.50 a week if you are also receiving Personal Independence Payment (PIP), Disability Living Allowance (DLA), Attendance Allowance, Armed Forces Independence Payment or Scotland's Adult Disability Payment (ADP).

These benefits pay a maximum of £737 every four weeks, so the severe disability top-up would increase this to £1,063 to cover the extra costs of living with long-term mental and physical health conditions. To qualify for the top-up, individuals would need to be on Pension Credit, a benefit for people who are over State Pension age and on a low income.

Approximately 1.4 million people are already receiving Pension Credit, and another 880,000 are thought to be eligible but not claiming. The DWP is trying to increase the take-up of Pension Credit as it restores access to the newly restricted Winter Fuel Payment.

DWP guidance indicates that Pension Credit tops up weekly income to £218.15 if you're single or a joint amount of £332.95 if you have a partner. Extra support is available for those who have disabilities, caring responsibilities or are looking after children.

You could get an extra £81.50 a week with your Pension Credit (which would be an additional £326 when the cash goes into your account every four weeks) if you receive any of the following:, reports Birmingham Live.

An additional £45.60 is available for those who receive Carer's Allowance or Carer's Support Payment, or have claimed Carer's Allowance but are not being paid because they already receive another benefit that pays a higher amount. If you're responsible for children or young people, an extra £66.29 per week could be yours for each one.

This increases to £76.79 per week for the first child if they were born before April 6, 2017. The child or young person must usually live with you and be under 20 years old.

If they are aged 16 or over and under 20, they must be in (or accepted for) approved training, such as a Foundation Apprenticeship, or a course of non-advanced education (like GCSEs or A-Levels). If they're in education, it must be for more than 12 hours a week on average.

If the child or young person is disabled, an extra amount of either £35.93 a week if they get DLA, PIP, or ADP; or £112.21 a week if they are blind or receive the highest-rate care component of DLA or CDP or the enhanced daily living component of PIP or ADP.