The Personal Independence Payment (PIP) is set to increase next month, giving claimants up to an extra £750 a year. In last year’s Autumn Statement, Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced a 1.7% rise in benefits, including the UK’s primary disability benefit, PIP.
Launched in 2013, PIP is a Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) benefit given to individuals with long-term mental or physical health conditions or disabilities. Current data indicates that approximately 3.6 million people in the UK are claiming this benefit.
PIP is unique among benefits as it can be claimed even if you’re employed, have savings, or receive most other benefits. The amount awarded depends on how your health condition or disability affects your daily life – the greater the impact, the higher the payment.
How much does PIP pay?
PIP, paid every four weeks, consists of two parts – a daily living rate and a mobility rate – and you may be eligible for one or both. These components are further divided into standard and enhanced rates, reports the Mirror.
If your condition or disability significantly impacts your day-to-day life, you’ll receive the higher rate; if the impact is less severe, you’ll get the lower rate. Here’s how PIP rates will change from April:
Daily living
Standard rate: £72.65 per week, increasing to £73.90 per week – £295.60 per pay period from April
The enhanced rate is set at £108.55 a week, increasing to £110.40 a week – equating to £441.60 per pay period from April
Mobility
The standard rate is £28.70 a week, rising to £29.20 a week – or £116.80 per pay period from April
The enhanced rate for mobility is £75.75 a week, going up to £77.05 a week – which is £308.20 per pay period from April
You will be paid these rates alone, if you are only eligible for only the one.
There are standard awards, enhanced awards, and mixed awards.
So, what makes you eligible to claim PIP?
One common misunderstanding about PIP is that it’s paid based on your medical condition or disability. However, this isn’t the case.
Instead, PIP – and the amount you receive – depends on how your condition impacts your daily life and your ability to carry out everyday tasks. This includes preparing and eating food, washing and getting dressed, basic toilet needs, and moving around.
This means a wide variety of conditions and disabilities could make you eligible for PIP. To determine how much you can receive, you may need to undergo a PIP assessment by the DWP.
This isn’t a medical examination, but rather an opportunity for you to discuss how your condition affects you personally.
Typically, a healthcare professional will conduct the assessment and use this information, along with the details provided in your initial PIP claim form, to compile a report. This report is then sent to the DWP, who will decide whether you are eligible for the claim.
PIP assessments can be carried out in person, over the phone, or via video call, and you are allowed to have someone accompany you during the process.
So, what health conditions or disabilities qualify for PIP?
According to data from the DWP compiled by Later Living Marketplace Lottie, these were the primary categories of qualifying disabilities and health conditions, along with the number of people who claimed PIP for them, from 2019 to October 2024. These 21 categories encompass around 547 different conditions overall.
- Psychiatric disorders – 1,406,044
- Musculoskeletal disease (general) – 691,426
- Neurological disease – 470,380
- Musculoskeletal disease (regional) – 434,670
- Respiratory disease – 138,534
- Malignant disease – 117,628
- Cardiovascular disease – 95,061
- Visual disease – 58,476
- Endocrine disease – 48,070
- Hearing disorders – 38,391
- Gastrointestinal disease – 35,210
- Genitourinary disease – 29,573
- Skin disease – 24,535
- Autoimmune disease (connective tissue disorders) – 19,788
- Infectious disease – 14,138
- Diseases of the liver, gallbladder and biliary tract – 13,570
- Haematological disease – 8,670
- Unknown or missing – 7,668
- Metabolic disease – 5,387
- Multisystem and extremes of age – 1,795
- Diseases of the immune system – 1,326
Total: 3,660,331
It’s important to note that this list only provides a snapshot of the conditions, disorders, and diseases that the DWP accepts for PIP. If your health condition or disability affects your daily life, you should consider submitting an application.
How can you claim PIP?
If you believe you’re eligible, you need to contact the PIP claim line on 0800 917 2222 between Monday to Friday, from 8am to 5pm, and request an application form. The form will then be mailed to you for completion.
After filling out the form, it should be sent to the DWP. Disability charities also recommend including evidence about your condition, such as a letter or report from your healthcare provider like a GP, psychiatrist, consultant, or specialist nurse.
The DWP will then review your claim and may invite you for a PIP assessment. Once your assessment is completed and your application is finalised, you will have to wait for the DWP’s decision.
Recent data suggests that the average waiting time between the assessment and the decision is approximately nine weeks.
In certain parts of the UK, you can apply for PIP online. You’ll need to verify your postcode when initiating the application.
This can be done via the GOV.UK website here.