The DWP benefit is awarded based on how your condition affects you
New data from the Department for Work and Pensions revealed the top five most commonly recorded disabling conditions for people claiming Personal Independence Payments under ‘normal rules’. Around 99% of PIP claims follow these rules, while one diagnosis will allow people to apply under slightly different ‘special rules’.
PIP provides up to up to £194.60 per week for people who have a mental or physical health condition or disability. The payments are meant to help cover the added expenses that living with a disability often brings.
The benefit is made up of two parts; the daily living element and mobility element. Each of these has two different rates, a lower and enhanced rates. Applicants are awarded different rates and combinations depending on how their condition affects them.
The DWP new figures showed that as of January 2026, 3.9 million PIP claims were recorded, 37% of which got the highest payment rates of both the daily living and mobility elements.
The benefit is not awarded based on your diagnosis alone, in fact some people may be able to claim before they have a diagnosis. When applying, applicants do need to list their primary disabling condition though.
The DWP figures showed the most common disabling condition reported on successful PIP claims under normal rules is currently psychiatric disorders. These make up 42% of the people claiming the highest rate of PIP and 70% of those claiming the enhanced daily living rate.
This includes conditions like autism spectrum disorders, psychotic disorders, PTSD and learning disorders according to Benefits and Work. General musculoskeletal disease was the second most common disabled condition, making up 19% of claims. It includes issues like arthritis, chronic pain and some genetic disorders and even benign bone tumours.
Neurological disease came next. While it only had 13% of all claims it also had the highest amount of claims getting the enhanced rate of mobility payments at 72%. This wide-ranging category spans from muscular dystrophy and cerebral palsy to headaches and hydrocephalus.
Regional musculoskeletal disease made up 12% of claims. This focuses on ailments affecting specific body parts like scoliosis, amputations and injuries like fractures or dislocations.
Finally respiratory disease which only made up 4% of claims. Cystic fibrosis, asthma, lung transplants and pneumonia all form part of this group.
To qualify for PIP under the normal rules, you must be over 16 but under state pension age and have a long-term physical or mental health condition or disability. You must also expect difficulties from the condition to last for at least 12 months from when they started.
If you are diagnosed with a life-limiting illness and your doctor has said you might have 12 months or less to live you may be able to qualify for PIP under ‘special rules for end of life’. These rules allow people to bypass certain eligibility criteria, get through the application process quicker and entitle them to the higher rate of the daily living element.
