DWP PIP – the 5 health conditions most likely to get £737 5-year award | Personal Finance | Finance

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has unveiled the latest statistics, showing that over 1.5 million (41%) of all 3.6 million Personal Independence Payment (PIP) claimants have been given an award for five years or longer. As of the end of October, this includes 1,501,215 individuals in Scotland, England, Wales, and those residing overseas with a disability, long-term illness, or physical or mental health condition.

The figures reveal that more than 58% of PIP recipients with visual impairments receive up to £737.20 monthly for at least five years. Furthermore, over half of the claimants with general musculoskeletal conditions like arthritis (50.8%) and nearly half with neurological conditions such as epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, and muscular dystrophy (49.5%) have received longer awards.

For those contemplating applying for PIP, it’s vital to understand that award durations vary, ranging from nine months to a maximum of 10 years, although DWP records only show awards of ‘five years or longer’. According to the 2024/25 PIP Handbook, awards are determined based on how a health condition or disability affects the claimant’s daily life and independence.

It states: “The length of award will be based upon each claimant’s individual circumstances.” The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has issued guidelines indicating that most claimants will have their awards regularly reviewed, “regardless of the length of the award”, to ensure “everyone continues to receive the most appropriate level of support”.

According to the Daily Record, some claimants may receive a limited-term award for up to two years, which the DWP says will not be reviewed. These are typically given when the claimant’s health condition is expected to improve.

The DWP also provides ongoing awards with a ‘light touch’ review. These are usually given 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 notes: “These claimants would not usually be expected to have a face-to-face assessment at review.”

A successful claim for Personal Independence Payment (PIP) or Attendance Allowance (ADP) can provide between £28.70 and £184.30 per week in additional financial support, equating to between £114.80 and £737.20 every four weeks. It’s worth noting that people with different health conditions can be awarded PIP for up to five years or longer, depending on how the condition affects them.

As of October 2024, the conditions with the highest percentage rate of five-year or longer awards include visual disease, musculoskeletal disease, neurological disease, and respiratory disease.

Who is eligible

To be eligible for PIP, or ADP is Scotland,, you must have a health condition or disability where you have:

• 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 will typically need to have lived in the UK for at least two out of the last three years and be in the country when you apply. In addition you might qualify if you need help with any of the following because of your condition:

• 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 rules apply if you are terminally ill, which can be found on the GOV.UK website. Your ability to carry out daily living and mobility tasks will be assessed with the following looked 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 will you get your money?

Benefits are usually paid every four weeks directly into your bank, building society or credit union account, unless you are terminally ill, in which case it is paid weekly. ADP is paid at the same rates as PIP.

The payment rates for 2024/25 are divided into two components: Daily living and Mobility. Whether you receive one or both of these and how much depends on how severely your condition affects you.

The weekly payments are as follows: Daily living – Standard rate: £72.65, Enhanced rate: £108.55; Mobility – Standard rate: £28.70, Enhanced rate: £75.75.

How am I assessed?

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) will arrange for an independent healthcare professional to assess your needs for Personal Independence Payment (PIP). Face-to-face consultations, video calls, telephone and paper-based assessments are all options for health-related benefits.

However, the type of assessment is determined by the health professional and DWP based on what’s best for each claimant.

Unlike PIP, Adult Disability Payment assessments do not typically involve face-to-face assessments, although this can be requested by the claimant.

How to make a claim

To make a claim for PIP, you need to contact the DWP. All necessary information for the application can be found on the GOV.UK website.

Before you call, ensure you have your contact details, date of birth, National Insurance number, bank or building society account number and sort code. You also need your doctor or health worker’s name, address and telephone number, and dates and addresses for any time spent abroad, in a care home or hospital.

To apply for ADP, you can do so over the phone, by post or in-person. For more information or to apply, visit the dedicated pages on mygov.scot here or call Social Security Scotland on 0800 182 2222.