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Personal Independence Payment (PIP) can assist those aged over 16 and below State Pension age with the additional financial burden of more than 500 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) reveal that more than 3.9 million people across Great Britain were in receipt of PIP at the end of January. A successful PIP claim is now worth between £30.30 and £194.60 per week to help with the extra costs of daily living and mobility requirements.

However, a PIP award may enable claimants to access means-tested benefits even if they have previously been deemed ineligible and, according to guidance on GOV.UK, it may also be possible to backdate certain benefits to the start of their PIP award , reports the Daily Record.

The guidance explains that for many benefits and schemes there are additional qualifying conditions, but for some, including the Blue Badge, there are alternative ways of accessing the benefit that do not rely on a particular rate or component of PIP.

The guidance explains: "For DWP benefits, Housing Benefit and Council Tax Reduction, we share information to enable claimants to automatically access other disability benefits and services."

"However, claimants should inform other benefit offices about their entitlement to make sure they're paid the correct amounts, particularly if there are any changes in their circumstances and awards."

The DWP further noted that in the majority of cases, claimants will be required to present their PIP award letter as proof of entitlement. The guidance additionally states that carers may be eligible to claim Income Support (including for up to 26 weeks while the PIP claim is under assessment) and many carers may continue claiming Income Support following a PIP award.

The DWP encourages claimants to seek advice regarding other benefits they may also be entitled to.

While you may not qualify for any or all of these benefits, it's worth checking to ensure you are not missing out on additional support.

• Access to Work
• Blue Badge scheme - only if you get the enhanced mobility rate for PIP
• Carer's Allowance - England and Wales only
• Carer Support Payment - Scotland only
• Carer's Credit
• Christmas Bonus
• Council Tax Reduction
• Employment and Support Allowance - only if you get the PIP daily living component
• Housing Benefit
• Income Support‎
• Jobseeker's Allowance
• Pension Credit - only if you get the PIP daily living component
• Universal Credit

Daily Living component

• Enhanced: £114.60 (from £110.40)
• Standard: £76.70 (from £73.90)

Mobility component

• Enhanced: £80.00 (from £77.05)
• Standard: £30.30 (from £29.20)

The new payment rates start on April 6.

Anyone who has already claimed PIP or has a general query about their award and what else they may be entitled to claim should contact the Disability Service Centre.

You can reach them for advice or information about a claim you've already made for PIP, Disability Living Allowance (DLA) or Attendance Allowance. Complete contact information, including telephone numbers, is available on the GOV.UK website here.