Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the time taken to process Personal Independence Payment applications on disabled people's ability to pay bills and rent.

Personal Independence Payment (PIP) is designed to provide a contribution towards the additional, disability-related costs faced by people with a long-term health condition or disability. PIP is paid in addition to the other financial support that the individual may already be entitled to, including income maintenance benefits designed to help pay for day-to-day and housing costs, such as Employment and Support Allowance, Housing Benefit and Universal Credit. Once a PIP claim has been determined any arrears of entitlement are paid.