Personal Independence Payments (PIP) are made by the Department for Work and Pensions to people who have a disability or long term health condition that affects their everyday lives. However, with billions lost in unclaimed benefits every year, campaigners say Britons should check every six months if they are receiving all the financial help they are entitled to.

As well as long-Covid, the other 19 health conditions that the DWP has confirmed qualify for PIP are:

• Malignant disease
• Skin disease
• Infectious disease
• Cardiovascular disease
• Gastrointestinal disease
• Haematological disease
• Diseases of the liver, gallbladder and biliary tract
• Respiratory disease
• Diseases of the immune system
• Musculoskeletal disease
• Autoimmune disease
• Genitourinary disease
• Endocrine disease
• Metabolic disease
• Neurological disease
• Visual disease
• Psychiatric disorders
• Multisystem and extremes of age
• Hearing disorders

For new PIP claimants, going through the process of making an application for the first time can seem overwhelming.

However they can check their entitlement to all state benefits via the benefit calculator on the Government website before deciding on whether to make a claim.

Meanwhile, if someone already receives PIP and their award is due to be reviewed in 2022, the DWP will send a new form to fill out.

It’s essential that this is returned before the deadline, or payments could end automatically.