DWP data shows which health conditions have the highest percentage of claimants receiving PIP awards of five years or longer
People with certain health issues are most likely to get a Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) payment for five years. Data has revealed which conditions qualify for Personal Independence Payment (PIP) for an extended period of time.
The latest figures published by the DWP show there are now 3.9 million PIP claimants in England and Wales receiving between £29.20 and £187.45 every week. As reported by the Daily Record, the data also shows nearly 1.8m (45 per cent) of all 3.9m PIP claimants have been issued 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. More than half of all claimants with general musculoskeletal conditions (50.8 per cent) 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 thinking about making a new claim for PIP, or ADP, it’s important to be aware 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 explains the decision maker will issue an award of 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.”
It’s important to be aware the guidance from the DWP also says most claimants will have their award regularly reviewed, “regardless of the length of the award” in order to make sure “everyone continues to receive the most appropriate level of support”.
Some claimants will be given a limited-term award for a fixed period of up to two years – DWP says these awards will not be reviewed. Limited awards with no review date are given where the claimant’s health condition may be reasonably expected to improve.
PIP and ADP 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.
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 five-year PIP award:
- Visual disease: 40,429 (67 per cent)
- Musculoskeletal disease (general): 215,978 (29 per cent)
- Neurological disease: 269,675 (55 per cent)
- Respiratory disease: 70,700 (50 per cent)
- Autoimmune disease (connective tissue disorders): 10,031 (48 per cent)
- Musculoskeletal disease (regional): 215,978 (46 per cent)
- Total PIP claimants with 5-year award: 1,762,659 (45.4 per cent)
- Total number of PIP claimants: 3,882,571
In Scotland, PIP has been replaced by Adult Disability Payment (ADP). Full guidance on ADP can be found on the MYGOV.SCOT website.
Who might be eligible for PIP or ADP?
To be eligible 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 three months
- Expect these difficulties to continue for at least nine 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 or ADP:
- 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.
