Hay fever sufferer stunned to learn DWP will pay out £737 a month
Hay fever is a horrid affliction but those with the summer condition could claim up to £737 a month from the DWP.
People with hay fever could be eligible to claim up to £737 a month in PIP benefits from the DWP.
The debilitating summer condition for most people includes sneezing, a runny nose and stinging eyes, but for some it can be very serious and cause a person to become a complete shut-in during high pollen days, or battling associated conditions like asthma and conjunctivitis due to a hay fever flare up.
One person who was being assessed for Personal Independence Payments (PIP) by the Department for Work and Pensions this week discovered that hay fever is a condition included in DWP assessments.
Posting on Reddit, they said: “I’m currently working through the recording of my assessment to create the transcript and about 10 minutes of the call is used asking questions about my hayfever.
“Now I can understand the relevance if that was in any way linked to ADHD, autism, depression or anxiety, but, well…
“Is this normal? It seems really bizarre that she asked about this more than any of the issues I’m actually claiming PIP for.”
Another replied: “It’s certainly odd to spend more time on this than the other issues, but they were right to explore it given that hayfever can last for months and be very debilitating for some people.”
Indeed, although there are lists of conditions out there which are likely to be approved for PIP payments, such as cancer, stroke and epilepsy, any health condition in theory can be eligible for PIP if it passes the DWP’s tests for affecting daily living.
Although a green paper put forward by government has proposed various changes to PIP for the future, right now the benefit still pays out up to £737 a month in cash payments, or £9,580 a year.
The DWP explains how the assessment works: “Claimants currently make an application for PIP by phone and once basic entitlement conditions are established, the claimant is asked to complete the ‘How your disability affects you’ questionnaire, referred to in this guide as the ‘claimant questionnaire’.
“The assessment for PIP looks at an individual’s ability to carry out a series of everyday activities. The assessment considers the overall impact of a claimant’s health condition or impairment on their functional ability, rather than focusing on a particular diagnosis."
The DWP adds that the list of essential daily tasks that form part of the assessment include the claimant's ability on: “preparing and cooking a simple meal; taking nutrition; managing therapy or monitoring a health condition; washing and bathing; managing toilet needs or incontinence; dressing and undressing; communicating verbally; reading and understanding signs, symbols and words; engaging with other people face-to-face; making budgeting decisions."
