Millions of people who get Personal Independence Payments (PIP) will benefit from a boost to their income from April as new payment rates take effect. PIP is paid to more than 3.6 million people in the UK who have a long-term physical or mental health condition that makes carrying out everyday tasks, or getting around, difficult.
The benefit has two different elements – a daily living component (if you need help with everyday tasks) and a mobility component (if you need help getting around), so the amount you get paid per month is dependent on which part you qualify for. You might qualify for the daily living part of PIP if you need help with tasks such as cooking, washing, dressing, eating, or using the toilet, while the mobility part may be awarded if you need help physically moving around and leaving your home.
Under the current rates, anyone claiming the higher rate of the daily living and mobility parts can get a maximum of £9,583.60 over the course of a year.
But the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has confirmed that payment rates will increase by 1.7% from April 7, 2025, taking the maximum amount you could get (if you claim both the higher rates) to £9,747.40 per year – adding an extra £163.80 to your bank account annually. The four new payment rates from April are as follows:
Daily living component
- Lower weekly rate – rising from £72.65 to £73.90 (an extra £1.25 per week, or £65 per year)
- Higher weekly rate – rising from £108.55 to £110.40 (an extra £1.85 per week, or £96.20 per year)
Mobility component
- Lower weekly rate – rising from £28.70 to 30.20 (an extra £1.50 per week, or £78 per year)
- Higher weekly rate – rising from £75.75 to £77.05 (an extra £1.30 per week, or £67.60 per year)
The payment increases come ahead of a major shake-up to PIP rules announced by the DWP this week. Under the government’s proposals, PIP assessments for the daily living part are to be tightened, with the eligibility criteria set to require a minimum of four points on one daily living activity, in addition to the existing criteria.
Face-to-face assessments for POP are also set to be increased under the plans, although those with lifelong conditions and disabilities that mean they will never be able to work again will no longer face reassessment.
The DWP said the new measures are designed to “ensure a welfare system that is fit for purpose and available for future generations”.
