Nearly 3.9 million people in England and Wales receive PIP – these are the health conditions most likely to receive ongoing payments
The conditions and groups of people most likely to get the highest payments under PIP have been shown in the latest data. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has postponed proposed changes to Personal Independence Payment ( PIP ) until a review of the eligibility and assessment process is finalised. The Minister for Social Security and Disability, Sir Stephen Timms, will jointly conduct the review with disabled groups and charities, with completion expected this Autumn.
The DWP has previously stated that over 1,000 new PIP awards are being granted daily, with the most recent figures indicating nearly 3.9 million claimants in England and Wales receiving between £29.20 and £187.45 each week. Adult Disability Payment (ADP) has replaced PIP for all new and existing claimants residing in Scotland.
The statistics also reveal that more than 1.5m (39%) of all PIP claimants have been given an award of five years or longer. Over 58 per cent of individuals claiming PIP for a visual condition receive a monthly award of up to £749 for five years or more.
Over half of all claimants with general musculoskeletal conditions (50.8%), such as arthritis, muscle or joint pain, have been granted a longer award, along with 49.5 per cent of people with a neurological condition like epilepsy, multiple sclerosis and muscular dystrophy.
For people considering submitting a new claim for PIP, or ADP, understand that award durations vary and can span between nine months and up to 10 years, although DWP data only documents awards categorised as ‘five years or longer’, reports the Daily Record.
PIP guidance on GOV.UK explains the decision maker will assess an award for PIP based on the impact of the claimant’s health condition or disability on their daily life and their ability to live independently. It adds: “The length of award will be based upon each claimant’s individual circumstances.”
Note the DWP guidance also states most claimants will have their award regularly reviewed, “regardless of the length of the award” to ensure “everyone continues to receive the most appropriate level of support”.
Certain claimants will receive a limited term award for a fixed duration of up to two years – DWP says these awards will not be reviewed. Limited awards without a review date are granted where the claimant’s health condition may reasonably be expected to improve.
Ongoing awards to groups of people with a ‘light touch’ review
A ‘light touch’ review is typically granted to claimants who have:
- very stable needs unlikely to change over time
- high level needs that will either stay the same or get worse
- a planned award review date due on or at State Pension age
- a special rules for end of life claim due when at State Pension age
The DWP guidance states: “These claimants would not usually be expected to have a face-to-face assessment at review.”
PIP and ADP payments currently range from £29.20 to £187.45 per week, equating to £116.80 or £749.80 every four-week pay period. Over the financial year, those on the highest awards will receive an additional £9,747 in cash assistance.
The maximum sum of £749.80 is based on someone receiving the highest award for both the daily living and mobility components.
Six conditions with PIP award of five years or more
People with various health conditions can be granted PIP for up to five years or more. The award is dependent on how the condition impacts the claimant.
The conditions listed below have the highest percentage rate of five-year or longer awards given to claimants at the end of October 2025.
Health condition, number of claimants and 5-year awards
Visual disease
- Total claimants: 60,090
- Awards for 5 or more years: 34,692
Musculoskeletal disease (general)
Neurological disease
Respiratory disease
Autoimmune disease (connective tissue disorders)
Musculoskeletal disease (regional)
Total number of PIP claimants: 3,88,2571
Here is a brief overview of PIP and ADP. Although new claims for PIP have been replaced by ADP in Scotland, most of the eligibility criteria remain the same.
Comprehensive guidance on ADP can be found on the MYGOV.SCOT website.
Who might qualify for PIP or ADP?
To qualify for PIP or ADP, you must have a health condition or disability where you:
- have had difficulties with daily living or getting around (or both) for 3 months.
- anticipate these challenges to persist for at least nine months.
You typically need to have lived in the UK for at least two of the past three years and be present in the country when submitting your application.
Beyond what we’ve detailed above, if you receive or require assistance with any of the following due to your condition, you should consider applying for PIP or ADP.
- managing your medicines or treatments
- talking, listening, reading and understanding
- dressing and undressing
- mixing with other people
- making decisions about money
- washing, bathing, using the toilet, managing incontinence
- physically moving around
- leaving your home
- working out a route and following it
- eating, drinking or preparing food
Different regulations apply if you are terminally ill; these can be found on the GOV.UK website here.
DWP or Social Security Scotland will evaluate how challenging you find daily living and mobility activities. For each activity they will examine:
- whether you can do it safely
- how long it takes you
- how often your condition affects this activity
- whether you need help to do it, from a person or using extra equipment
How are PIP and ADP paid out?
PIP and ADP are typically paid every four weeks, unless you are terminally ill, in which case payment is weekly. Funds will be transferred directly into your bank, building society or credit union account.
ADP is paid at identical rates to PIP.
PIP and ADP payment amounts
You will require an assessment to determine the level of financial support you’ll receive, and your rate will be regularly reviewed to ensure you’re receiving appropriate assistance. Payments are issued every four weeks.
PIP comprises two components:
Whether you receive one or both, and the amount, depends on how severely your condition impacts you.
You will receive the following sums per week based on your circumstances:
Daily living.
- Standard: £73.90
- Enhanced: £110.40
Mobility.
- Standard: £29.20
- Enhanced: £77.05
How you are evaluated
An independent healthcare professional will evaluate you to assist the DWP in establishing what level of financial support, if any, you require for PIP.
Face-to-face appointments for health-related benefits are available alongside video calls, telephone and paper-based assessments – the health professional and DWP decide which assessment type is most appropriate for each claimant.
Adult Disability Payment assessments won’t include face-to-face appointments, unless the claimant requests this – discover more about these changes here.
How can you apply for PIP?
You can submit a new claim by contacting the DWP, with all the necessary application information available on the GOV.UK website here.
Before calling, you’ll need:
- your contact details.
- your date of birth.
- your National Insurance number – found on correspondence about tax, pensions and benefits.
- your bank or building society account number and sort code.
- your doctor or health worker’s name, address and telephone number.
- dates and addresses for any periods spent abroad, in a care home or hospital.
How to apply for ADP
Individuals can apply for ADP over the phone, by post or in-person. For more information or to apply, visit the dedicated pages on mygov.scot here or contact Social Security Scotland on 0800 182 2222.
