Benefits &
Financial Support

Applying for
Government Financial Help

The UK Government offers PIP (Personal Independence Payments) to help those who may have extra costs due to long term conditions. Trigeminal Neuralgia, if severe, could potentially meet the criteria laid down.

What is PIP? PIP (personal independence payments) is a tax-free benefit designed to help those with long-term conditions that have a physical or mental component.

The payments are split into 2 parts:

1. Daily Living 2. Mobility

You may be eligible for one or both of these elements.

What are the PIP rates? According to the Government Website, the weekly rate for the daily living part of PIP is either £60.00 or £89.60. Furthermore, the weekly rate for the mobility part of PIP is either £23.70 or £62.55.

This is tax free and is not affected by income or savings.

These rates are decided by officials who receive the applications. You will receive a decision letter that will explain the amounts you will receive.

Eligibility Criteria &
Severe Trigeminal Neuralgia

The following table shows the daily living eligibility criteria and the possible relationship to trigeminal neuralgia. Please note that the mobility part of PIP is if you need help going out or moving around, which may not be fully relevant to trigeminal neuralgia.

Please note: The above is not an exhaustive list nor is it the case for every individual with trigeminal neuralgia. Everyone’s experience of this condition will vary. Some people may be able to do more than others.

Where can you apply?

Before applying, it is important to gather all evidence and information. Please ensure any dates you’ve spent in hospital are noted down and that you have spoken with your doctor about the issues you are having, so there is a record in your medical history.

You can apply by telephone by calling: 0800 917 2222

You can apply by post:

You can get a form to send information by post (although this can delay the decision on your claim). Write a letter to ask for the form from:
Personal Independence Payment New Claims
Post Handling Site B, Wolverhampton, WV99 1AH

Government Website Criteria	Relation to TN?
Preparing or eating food	Those with trigeminal neuralgia, where the trigger points could include the teeth or cheeks, may find it difficult to eat properly. Often, a very soft diet is required or a slower pace.
Washing, bathing and using the toilet	Washing of the face or hair could be affected by having trigeminal neuralgia. Those with TN may not be able to shower and may require baths to avoid water falling on their faces/heads to avoid severe triggering of the pain.
Dressing and undressing	Although unlikely to be affected by TN, wearing e.g. facemasks or scarves, could touch trigger points and set of severe pain.
Reading and communicating	If someone is experiencing an acute flare up of TN, they may not be able to talk due to constant episodes (or for fear of triggering said episodes) of severe pain.
Managing your medicines or treatments	Often the medicines requires from trigeminal neuralgia can cause “brain fog” or forgetfulness. Indeed, the first line drug (carbamazepine) is noted in the BNF (British National Formulary) as having dizziness, drowsiness, headaches and fatigue as a common or very common side effect.
Making decisions about money	Unlikely to be affected by TN.
Engaging with other people	For the reasons mentioned before, those with TN may not engage with other people. Often the pain can cause unpleasant tics of the face, talking can trigger pain, going out in the wind or sun can set it off, as a result, those with TN may not leave home as often.

Helpful Links:

CARING FOR SOMEONE WITH TN Official GOV PIP DOWNLOAD CASE REPORT ON TN

Benefits & Financial Support

Applying for Government Financial Help

Eligibility Criteria & Severe Trigeminal Neuralgia

Government Website Criteria

Relation to TN?

Benefits &
Financial Support

Applying for
Government Financial Help

Eligibility Criteria &
Severe Trigeminal Neuralgia