Personal Independence Payment: Disability
The question
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if she will take steps to ensure that participation in disability sports does not affect eligibility for the Personal Independence Payment.
Answered by Sir Stephen Timms
Personal Independence Payment (PIP) is intended as a contribution towards the extra costs faced by people with a long-term health condition or disability. It is assessed on the basis of needs arising from a long-term health condition or disability, rather than the health condition or disability itself, and can be paid at one of eight different rates to reflect those needs.
Participation in sport is not necessarily an indication of needs reducing. We would hope that disabled people will take every opportunity to participate in sport, as we know that can improve health, wellbeing and overall independence. However, where needs change, it is right that the level of support in PIP should change to match those needs.
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