Over 1,000 new PIP awards are issued daily with certain health conditions more likely to receive longer-term awards
Proposed reforms by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to Personal Independence Payment (PIP) have been shelved until a thorough review of the eligibility and assessment process has been finalised. Minister for Social Security and Disability, Sir Stephen Timms, will co-produce the review alongside disabled groups and charities, with completion expected this Autumn.
The DWP has previously revealed that over 1,000 new PIP awards are being granted every day, with the latest figures indicating there are now over 3.9 million claimants in England and Wales receiving between £29.20 and £187.45 per week.
The figures further reveal that more than 1.5 million (39%) of all PIP claimants have received an award of five years or longer. The annual uprating on April 6 will see those on the higher rate of both the daily living and mobility components receive £778.40 every four-week pay period.
Over half of all claimants with general musculoskeletal conditions (50.8%), such as arthritis, muscle or joint pain, have been granted a longer award, alongside 49.5 per cent of people with a neurological condition such as epilepsy, multiple sclerosis and muscular dystrophy.
More than 58 per cent of people claiming PIP for a visual condition are awarded the higher rates for over five years. For those considering making a new claim for PIP it’s vital to understand that awards can last anywhere between nine months and up to 10 years, though DWP data only records awards given up to ‘five years or longer’, reports the Daily Record.
PIP guidance on GOV.UK explains that the decision maker will assess a PIP award based on the impact of the claimant’s health condition or disability on their daily life and their capacity to live independently. It adds: “The length of award will be based upon each claimant’s individual circumstances.”
It’s worth noting that 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”.
Some claimants will receive a limited term award for a fixed period of up to two years – DWP confirms these awards will not be reviewed. Limited awards with no review date are granted where the claimant’s health condition may reasonably be expected to improve.
Ongoing awards with a ‘light touch’ review
A ‘light touch’ review is typically awarded to claimants who have:
- very stable needs which are unlikely to change over time
- high level needs which 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 of State Pension age
The DWP guidance states: “These claimants would not usually be expected to have a face-to-face assessment at review.”
PIP payments are currently valued at between £29.20 and £187.45 per week, equating to £116.80 or £749.80 every four-week pay period. From April 6, payments will rise to between £30.30 and £194.60 per week, equating to between £121.20 and £778.40 every four-week payment period.
It’s worth noting that the maximum amount of £778.40 applies to those receiving the highest award for both the daily living and mobility components.
PIP weekly rates 2026/27
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.
Six conditions with a PIP award of five years or longer
It’s important to know that people with various health conditions can be awarded PIP for up to five years or longer. The award is determined by how the condition impacts the claimant.
The conditions listed below have the highest percentage rate of five-year or longer awards granted to claimants at the end of January 2026.
Health condition, number of claimants and 5-year awards
Visual disease
- Total claimants: 60,360
- 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: 3,926,015
Who could be eligible for PIP?
To qualify for PIP, you must have a health condition or disability where you:
- have experienced difficulties with daily living or mobility (or both) for 3 months
- expect these difficulties to persist for at least 9 months
You typically must have resided in the UK for at least two of the previous 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 think about applying for PIP
- eating, drinking or preparing food
- washing, bathing, using the toilet, managing incontinence
- dressing and undressing
- talking, listening, reading and understanding
- managing your medicines or treatments
- making decisions about money
- mixing with other people
- working out a route and following it
- physically moving around
- leaving your home
Different regulations apply if you are terminally ill, which can be found on the GOV.UK website here. DWP 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 is PIP distributed?
PIP is normally paid every four weeks unless you are terminally ill, when it is paid weekly. It will be transferred directly into your bank, building society or credit union account.
PIP payment amounts
You will require an assessment to determine the level of financial assistance you will receive and your rate will be regularly reviewed to ensure you are receiving the correct support. Payments are made every four weeks.
PIP consists of two components:
Whether you receive one or both of these and the amount depends on how severely your condition impacts you.
You will be paid the following sums per week depending on your circumstances:
Daily living
- Standard rate: £73.90 (rising to £76.70 on April 6)
- Enhanced rate: £110.40 (rising to £114.60 on April 6)
Mobility
- Standard rate: £29.20 (rising to £30.30 on April 6)
- Enhanced rate: £77.05 (rising to £80.00 on April 6)
How you are evaluated
You will be assessed by an independent healthcare professional to help the DWP establish the level of financial support, if any, you require, for PIP. Face-to-face consultations for health-related benefits are available alongside video calls, telephone and paper-based assessments – it’s crucial to understand that the health professional and DWP decide which assessment type is most appropriate for each claimant. Further details about DWP PIP assessments can be found here.
How can you claim PIP?
You can submit a new claim by contacting the DWP, with all necessary application information available on the GOV.UK website here.
Before calling, you’ll require:
- 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 you’ve been abroad, in a care home or hospital
