'PIP is my lifeline. It pays for my carers. If it goes I'll be housebound'

A GRANDMA fears she will be left housebound and unable to regularly see her grandchildren under welfare reforms intended to help get people back into work.

- By LOUIS CORBETT

The announcement by Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall delivered a devastating blow to many people in the disabled community.

The measures, which will tighten eligibility for Personal Independent Payments (PIP), have been criticised by campaigners and charities, who say some of the most vulnerable groups of people will miss out on lifeline payments.

The PIP payments can help with extra living costs for people with a long-term physical disability or mental health condition. They can also help people if they have difficulty doing certain everyday tasks or if they struggle to get around because of a condition.

However, Ms Kendall said that eligibility for PIP which starts at £72.65 a week for the daily living/ care component, rising to £108.55 for the enhanced rate would be tightened from November next year.

The changes would mean applicants would have to qualify by having a score of one to 12, based on daily struggles over a range of categories.

Applicants would have to score a minimum of four points in at least one living activity. The scoring system would be tougher and stricter and markedly different to the current system, where claimants can qualify by having lower scores over a broad range of categories.

The PIP mobility component another string to the PIP payments would remain unchanged. These payments start at £28.70 for the standard weekly rate and £75.75 for the enhanced rate.

Hucknall grandma Jo Butlin, 54, fears the prospect of losing her care-related daily living allowance under the changes, which she says would leave her unable to leave the house, and unable to regularly see her family and grandchildren.