How the new disability benefit will affect you

The Personal Independence Payment (PIP) scheme for people with a health condition or disability aged 16 to 64 is being extended today.

Here is a brief look at how the changes will affect you:

• Personal Independence Payment will have a Daily Living component and a Mobility component.
• Each component will have two rates - standard and enhanced.
• There are three rates for the care component (low, middle and high) and two for the mobility component (low and high).

• Claimants will be assessed on 12 activities such as preparing food, washing and dressing.
• They will receive a points score for each activity, depending on how well they can carry them out and the help they need to do so.
• The total score will determine whether a claimant is entitled to benefits.

• For example: The assessment will consider a claimant's physical ability to move around without severe breathlessness, pain or fatigue.
• Ministers have said the new benefit is designed to support disabled people to live independent lives, and includes a new face-to-face assessment and reviews.

Read more: An in-depth guide to the new disability benefit system

Read more: How to claim disability benefit under the new system