Personal Independence Payment (PIP) and Disability Living Allowance (DLA): report based upon fourteen case studies of people with sensory impairments engaged in application for PIP

As part of the UK government’s welfare reforms, Personal Independence Payment (PIP) replaced Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for people aged 16 to 64 on 8th April 2013. This was initially for new claims in pilot areas. Over the coming few years there will be a staggered introduction of PIP, and it will eventual completely replace DLA for this age group.

PIP (and DLA) is not means tested or taxed, and is designed to help towards some of the extra costs arising from a long-term health condition or disability.

This research report forms the conclusion of Phase 1 of a larger scale piece of research, and had the following objectives:
• To investigate differences in benefit receipt before and after PIP was introduced for people with sensory impairments;
• To find out about the financial status of people with sensory impairments before and after PIP was introduced;
• To explore experiences of making a claim and the impact of this on the wellbeing of people with sensory impairments;
• To make recommendations for future phases of this research project.