DLA ending when I reach pension age next month

Hi naheegan

The person you spoke to at the DWP told you the truth, your DLA will not end when you reach state pension age.

To answer your question, you can continue to receive DLA providing that you continue to meet the criteria, the only restriction is that once you reach State Retirement Age you cannot receive a Mobility award if you do not already have one, or an increased award if you only have the low component, even if you meet the criteria.

Unless you were born before April 1948, you will at some stage be asked to apply for PIP. The DLA to PIP Transfer legislation suspends the restriction on claimants making a new claim for PIP once they reach State Retirement Age, so there will be no problem with you claiming PIP once you are invited.

Depending on your circumstances, when you reach State Pension age you may be eligible to claim Guarantee Pension Credit; www.gov.uk/pension-credit. You can apply before you reach State Pension age.

Gary

Hi naheegan

Once you reach State Pension age when you are asked to apply for PIP you need to contact DWP and apply if not your claim will cease, if you are successful then going forward you will be given a light touch review.

One of the first things is to understand the difference between DLA and PIP.

DLA looks at generic care needs in regard to bodily functions, PIP looks at the claimants specific ability to carry out an activity such as eating. DLA was awarded because the claimant needed an amount of care (in time) during the day, the night or both, to help them with their bodily function.

PIP looks at the claimant's ability to complete specific tasks within the activity and is points-based, these are clearly defined and it is easy not to score points because the claimant has not shown that they meet those specific criteria.

DLA treated the use of aids as a reason to reduce the amount of care needed, PIP treats aids as an indication of disability and in general they score extra points.

DLA's care need was reasonably generic, PIP treats prompting, assistance and supervision as different activities and as a result, they can score different points.

DLA required that the care was required for the majority of the time, for PIP it is the majority of days.

For PIP activities must be completed reliably, this means

• Safely – in a fashion that is unlikely to cause harm to themselves or to another person.
• To a necessary and appropriate standard – given the nature of the activity.
• Repeatedly – as often as is reasonably required.
• In a timely manner – in a reasonable time period.

Although DLA considers these terms, they are poorly defined as they are implemented through Case Law rather than being defined in the legislation as they are for PIP.

Enjoy reading the new PIP guide, it is quite long but goes into everything, the guide is also up dated quite frequently whenever there are any changes.

Gary

Hi naheegan

Don't forget to claim PCG if you are eligible, check out the following website; www.gov.uk/pension-credit, you can ask for a backdate to when SP started if you are eligible.

Gary