Despite the support, nearly 1 in 3 Disabled people in the UK live in poverty, facing substantial additional living costs—on average, £1,010 more per month than non-disabled households.
PIP offers vital support for Disabled people and those with long-term health conditions to help with these additional costs.
However, the complex and often overwhelming application process results in £870 million going unclaimed each year due to uncompleted claims or people being eligible for higher payments but not receiving them.
Turn2us, a leading UK charity tackling poverty and financial insecurity, has announced the launch of the Turn2us PIP Helper, an innovative tool that simplifies the PIP application process.
(Image: Turn2us)
The Turn2us PIP Helper was created to help people overcome these barriers by providing clear guidance through each stage of the PIP process.
It simplifies eligibility and likely award checks, improves claim accuracy, and lowers dropout rates by helping users understand and complete applications effectively.
The tool also supports users’ mental wellbeing with videos and reminders that reduce stigma and isolation, ultimately enhancing financial security and closing the income gap for Disabled people in the UK.
The tool includes an eligibility checker, and estimate of how much you could be owed, some personalised tips for filling out the form and preparation for any assessments you may have to undertake.
You can view the Turn2us PIP Helper here:
Michael Clarke, head of information programmes at Turn2us, said: “The Turn2us PIP Helper was developed in response to the significant barriers many people face in accessing support. Built over two years with direct input from PIP claimants, this tool addresses those barriers head-on.
“Health, disability and financial security are deeply connected, and we are committed to helping people access the support they urgently need.
“A heartfelt thank you to players of the People’s Postcode Lottery and Royal London for their invaluable support in making the launch of the PIP Helper possible.”
Stephen Buckley, head of information for Mind, added: “The benefits system should be there for all of us when we need it most.
“Right now, too many people are having their mental health problems compounded by the very system which should be helping them. PIP can make a huge difference to people’s lives, but many find the application process difficult.
“The length of the form and the language used in it can act as a barrier, particularly for people applying for mental health reasons.
“We’re pleased to have worked with Turn2Us to address those issues with this online tool, which we hope will help more people applying for PIP get the support they need.
“It is also vital that people with lived experience of mental health problems were put at the heart of developing the tool. Next year the UK government will introduce broader health and disability policy reforms.
“We would urge them not to take forward the previous government’s proposals and instead to establish an independent commission led by disabled people to design the future of assessments.”
