People on PIP may be able to backdate other benefits to the start of their award

dailyrecord.co.uk:

Personal Independence Payment (PIP) is a benefit designed to help people over the age of 16 and under State Pension age with the extra daily costs of living for more than 540 health conditions or disabilities, which may be physical, sensory, mental, intellectual or cognitive, or any combination of these.The latest figures from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) show that more than 3.4 million people across Great Britain, including almost 255,000 living in Scotland, were receiving PIP at the end of October 2023.

A successful claim for PIP is currently worth between £26.90 and £101.75 each week to help with the additional costs of daily living and mobility needs, but rates are set to rise by 6.7 per cent from April 8.

However, an award for PIP may enable claimants to access means-tested benefits even if they have previously been told they are not eligible and according to guidance in the PIP Handbook on GOV.UK, it may also be possible to backdate certain benefits to the start of their PIP award.

This is because entitlement to PIP or Adult Disability Payment (ADP) in Scotland, provides a gateway or passport to other benefits, such as Carer’s Allowance, and schemes sponsored by other departments, such as the Blue Badge.