Brits with certain health conditions or disabilities could be entitled to claim Personal Independence Payment (PIP).
PIP is a disability benefit from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and it is given to those with long-term mental or physical health problems or disabilities.
As of January 2023, around 3.2million people claimed PIP in the UK.
Contrary to popular belief, there is not a set list of medical conditions that will make you eligible for PIP.
The eligibility for the benefit and the amount you are paid depends on how your condition affects your daily life.
This means a broad range of conditions and disabilities can be eligible for PIP.
According to DWP data, these were the conditions which people claimed PIP for in January of this year, alongside the number of people who claimed:
- Haematological disease - 7,577
- Infectious disease - 10,970
- Malignant disease - 100,968
- Metabolic disease - 4,786
- Psychiatric disorders - 1,207,278
- Neurological disease - 412,289
- Visual disease - 57,231
- Hearing disorders - 34,425
- Cardiovascular disease - 83,630
- Gastrointestinal disease - 29,050
- Diseases of the liver, gallbladder, biliary tract -11,772
- Skin disease - 21,390
- Musculoskeletal disease (general) - 650,393
- Musculoskeletal disease (regional) - 387,555
- Autoimmune disease (connective tissue disorders) - 18,032
- Genitourinary disease - 24,788
- Endocrine disease - 43,313
- Respiratory disease - 136,839
- Multisystem and extremes of age - 1,239
- Diseases of the immune system - 1,083
- Unknown or missing - 10,553
It must be reiterated that the benefit does not have a set list of conditions which makes someone eligible.
This list is only an overview of conditions, disorders and diseases which the DWP accepted for PIP in January 2023.
How much does PIP pay?
PIP is made up of two components - a daily living rate and a mobility rate - and you can be entitled to both or just one of these.
These components are then split again, into the standard rate and the enhanced rate.
As of April 2023, these rates are:
Daily living component
- Standard weekly rate - £68.10
- Enhanced weekly rate - £101.75
Mobility component
- Standard weekly rate - £26.90
- Enhanced weekly rate - £71
According to DWP data, 35%, or one in three cases of PIP claimants, receive the highest level of benefit.
Although these are weekly rates, PIP is paid every four weeks - if you are eligible for both enhanced rates you can get over £700 every month.
How to claim PIP
If you think you're eligible, you must call the PIP claim line on 0800 917 2222 between Monday to Friday from 8am to 5pm and request an application form.
Once you have completed the form you should send it to the DWP and alongside this disability charities also advise you to include evidence about your condition.
This could be a letter/report from your healthcare provider like a GP, psychiatrist, consultant, or specialist nurse.
The amount you get for PIP is dependent on how your condition or disability impacts your ability to do daily tasks - which often requires a medical assessment.
A health professional will usually carry out the assessment and write a report for the DWP.
Everyday tasks include things like washing, dressing, going food shopping, and making decisions about money.
Other things which are included are communicating verbally, reading and understanding signs, symbols and words, socialising with other people, and making decisions about money and budgeting.
You are also classified as needing help to do an activity if someone else or a device is needed to do the thing, remind you to do the thing or if you have to be watched in order to keep you safe.
The DWP has a "points" system on which they base claims and you will score points in your medical assessment if you can't do things:
- Safely
- In a reasonable time
- To a reasonable standard
- As often as is needed
It can take up to six months from when you first contact the DWP to when you get your first payment.
