Almost four million people currently claim PIP
Planned changes by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to Personal Independence Payment ( PIP ) have been suspended until a review of the eligibility and assessment procedure has been finalised.
Minister for Social Security and Disability, Sir Stephen Timms, will co-produce the ‘Timms Review’ alongside disabled groups and charities, which is anticipated to be completed by this Autumn. The most recent statistics released by the DWP reveal there are now 3.9 million PIP claimants in England and Wales receiving between £29.20 and £187.45 every week.
The data also reveals nearly 1.8m (45%) of all 3.9m PIP claimants have been granted an award of five years or longer. More than 67 per cent of people claiming PIP for a visual disease have a monthly award of up to £749 for five years or more, reports the Daily Record.
More than half of all claimants with general musculoskeletal conditions (50.8%) such as arthritis, muscle or joint pain, have been given a longer award, along with 49.5 per cent of people with a neurological condition such as epilepsy, multiple sclerosis and muscular dystrophy.
For people considering making a new claim for PIP it’s vital to understand award lengths can last between nine months and up to 10 years, however, DWP data only records awards given up to ‘five years or longer’. PIP guidance states the decision maker will grant a PIP award based on how the claimant’s health condition or disability affects their daily life and capacity to live independently. It adds: “The length of award will be based upon each claimant’s individual circumstances.”
It’s crucial to note the DWP guidance also confirms 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 states these awards will not be reviewed. Limited awards with no review date are granted where the claimant’s health condition may be reasonably 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
PIP payments are currently worth between £29.20 and £187.45 each week, some £116.80 or £749.80 every four-week pay period. Over the course of the financial year, this will see people on the highest awards receive £9,747 in extra cash help.
It’s important to be aware the maximum amount of £749.80 is based on someone in receipt of the highest award for both the daily living and mobility components.
Six conditions with PIP award of five years or longer
It’s important to be aware people with different health conditions can be awarded PIP for up to five years or longer. The award is based on how the condition affects 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.
Claimants with 5-year PIP award:
- Visual disease: 40,429 (67%)
- Musculoskeletal disease (general): 215,978 (29%)
- Neurological disease: 269,675 (55%)
- Respiratory disease: 70,700 (50%)
- Autoimmune disease (connective tissue disorders): 10,031 (48%)
- Musculoskeletal disease (regional): 215,978 (46%)
- Total PIP claimants with 5-year award : 1,762,659 (45.4%)
- Total number of PIP claimants: 3,882,571
Below is an overview of PIP
Who might be eligible for PIP?
To be eligible for PIP, you must have a health condition or disability where you:
- have had difficulties with daily living or getting around (or both) for 3 months
- expect these difficulties to continue for at least 9 months
You usually need to have lived in the UK for at least two of the last three years and be in the country when you apply.
In addition to what we have outlined above if you get or need help with any of the following because of your condition, you should consider 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
There are different rules if you are terminally ill, you will find these on the GOV.UK website here.
DWP will assess how difficult you find daily living and mobility tasks. For each task they will look at:
- 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 paid?
PIP is usually paid every four weeks unless you are terminally ill, in which case it is paid weekly. It will be paid directly into your bank, building society or credit union account.
PIP payment rates
You will need an assessment to work out the level of financial help you will receive and your rate will be regularly reviewed to make sure you are getting the right support. Payments are made every four weeks.
PIP is made up of two components:
Whether you get one or both of these and how much depends on how severely your condition affects you.
You will be paid the following amounts per week depending on your circumstances:
Daily living
- Standard: £73.90
- Enhanced: £110.40
Mobility
- Standard: £29.20
- Enhanced: £77.05
How you are assessed
You will be assessed by an independent healthcare professional to help the DWP determine the level of financial support, if any, you need, for PIP.
Face-to-face consultations for health-related benefits are offered alongside video calls, telephone and paper-based assessments – it’s important to be aware the health professional and DWP determine which type of assessment is best suited for each claimant. You can find out more about DWP PIP assessments here.
How do you make a claim for PIP?
You can make a new claim by contacting the DWP, you will find all the information you need to apply on the GOV.UK website here.
Before you call, you will need:
- your contact details
- your date of birth
- your National Insurance number – this is on letters 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 time you’ve spent abroad, in a care home or hospital
