The latest statistics from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) show that by the end of October, there were more than three million people across the UK claiming Personal Independence Payment (PIP). The regional breakdown includes nearly 330,000 claimants living in Scotland, 2.6million in England and 226,000 in Wales.
The benefit is gradually being replaced in Scotland by Adult Disability Payment (ADP), which rolled out nationwide to new claimants at the end of August last year. A successful claim for PIP or ADP is worth between £24.45 and £156.90 each week in additional financial support and as the benefit is paid every four weeks, this amounts to between £97.80 and £627.60 every payment period.
Some 547 health conditions are being supported by PIP or ADP and the independent advice and information forum, Benefits and Work, has conducted research into the latest DWP data to identify which ones are most and least likely to get an award of up to £627.60 each month from DWP (or Social Security Scotland).
The study found that the overall average success rate for PIP claims is 52 per cent, however, it’s important to understand whether or not an award if given depends on how a condition or health issue impacts on a person’s daily living and mobility needs.
Benefits and Work identified that awards for arthritis are above the average rate:
- Osteoarthritis of other single joint - 56.5 per cent
- Osteoarthritis of Knee - 64.2 per cent
- Osteoarthritis of Hip - 73.8 per cent
- Primary generalised Osteoarthritis - 74.0 per cent
- Rheumatoid arthritis - 74.7 per cent
It also found that some conditions are ‘extremely likely’ to get an award:
- Dementia - 94.1 per cent
- Motor neurone disease - 97.5 per cent
- Down’s syndrome - 99.6 per cent
- Creutzfeldt Jacob disease CJD) - 100 per cent
The research doesn’t indicate levels of payment award or whether someone has been awarded one or both components - daily living or mobility. You can read more about this on the Benefits and Work forum here.
The official statistics from DWP indicate a significant increase in the number of people claiming for Psychiatric Disorders, which includes a wide number of conditions including anxiety, stress, depression and learning disorders. October saw the nationwide number of claimants for these types of conditions rise to 1,166,695 - an increase of 14,999 from September.
The number of people claiming for Musculoskeletal Conditions such as arthritis, joint, chronic or back pain and hip disorders increased by 10,200 to 1,012,415.
Overall, the number of people receiving PIP across Great Britain has increased from 3,129,589 to 3,164,551 from September to October 2022 - a rise of 34,962 claimants.
PIP breakdown - October 2022
- Scotland: 329,334
- England: 2,609,559
- Wales: 225,660
- Total: 3,166,864
Total number of PIP categories:
- Disability category - 21 (including unknown or missing)
- Disability Sub Group - 178
- Disability - 547
Five most commonly recorded disabling conditions
Psychiatric disorder - 37 per cent of claims
- This includes mixed anxiety, stress, depressive and mood disorders, OCD and cognitive disorders.
Musculoskeletal disease (general) - 20 per cent of claims
- This includes muscle or joint pain and arthritic conditions.
Neurological disease - 13 per cent of claims
- This includes muscular dystrophy, epilepsy, headache, multiple sclerosis, neuropathy and other movement disorders.
Musculoskeletal disease (regional) - 12 per cent of claims
- This includes neck, back, shoulders, elbow, wrists, hands, hip, knee and ankle pain.
Respiratory disease - 4 per cent of claims
- This includes asthma, diseases of the upper respiratory tract, pulmonary fibrosis and cystic fibrosis.
Some 35 per cent of all claims with entitlement to PIP at the end of October 2022 are in receipt of the highest level of award of £627.60, with both daily living and mobility components received at the enhanced rate.
Disabling conditions and number of UK claimants - October 2022
These are the main disability categories, the umbrella term by which a total of 547 other conditions fall under. This list is only an overview of conditions, disorders and diseases and how the DWP lists the main disabilities being claimed for.
- Haematological Disease - 7,300
- Infectious disease - 9,897
- Malignant disease - 9,7426
- Metabolic disease - 4,667
- Psychiatric disorders - 1,166,695
- Neurological disease - 403,469
- Visual disease - 56,351
- Hearing disorders - 33,424
- Cardiovascular disease - 80,815
- Gastrointestinal disease - 27,840
- Diseases of the liver, gallbladder, biliary tract -11,328
- Skin disease - 20,835
- Musculoskeletal disease (general) - 635,450
- Musculoskeletal disease (regional) - 376,965
- Autoimmune disease (connective tissue disorders) - 17,596
- Genitourinary disease - 23,805
- Endocrine disease - 42,264
- Respiratory disease - 135,530
- Multisystem and extremes of age - 1,186
- Diseases of the immune system - 1,028
- Unknown or missing - 10,688
- Total - 3,1645,51
State Pension PIP claimants
The DWP data also shows that 486,940 people over State Pension age are receiving payments for PIP. New claims for PIP cannot be made by anyone over State Pension age, however, if a person is in receipt of the benefits when they reach State Pension age - now 66 for everyone in the UK - the award will continue.
Anyone over State Pension age with a disability, long-term health condition or illness who is not in receipt of PIP may be eligible for Attendance Allowance. It’s important to note there is no mobility element with
State Pension PIP breakdown - October 2022
- Scotland: 52,676
- England: 393,654
- Wales: 40,616
- Total: 486,940
If you are over 16 and under State Pension age, you may be able to claim PIP to help with a health condition, and if your ability to work is limited due to your symptoms you could be eligible for ‘new style’ Employment and Support Allowance (ESA).
Even though PIP is being replaced in Scotland by Adult Disability Payment, it will follow the same eligibility criteria, but take a more ‘people-centric’ approach, according to Social Security Scotland.
Below is a simplified guide to the terminology used by the DWP with an explanation of the elements involved in a PIP claim including components, rates and how the application is scored, which in turn determines the level of award a person receives.
We also have a dedicated PIP section on the Daily Record website which offers help in understanding the process from start to finish and includes questions on the form, what happens during an assessment and a comprehensive breakdown of the questions you will need to answer - these and more can be found here.
What is PIP?
PIP is a benefit which is gradually replacing DLA. If you need extra help because of an illness, disability or mental health condition you could be eligible for PIP.
You will be assessed by a health professional to work out the level of help you can get and your rate will be reviewed to make sure you are getting the right support.
Who is 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 3 months
expect these difficulties to continue for at least 9 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.
- preparing, cooking or eating food
- managing your medication
- washing, bathing or using the toilet
- dressing and undressing
- engaging and communicating with other people
- reading and understanding written information
- making decisions about money
- planning a journey or following a route
- moving around
There are different rules if you are terminally ill, you will find these on the GOV.UK website here.
DWP or Social Security Scotland will assess how difficult you find daily living and mobility tasks. For each task they will look 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 are PIP and ADP paid?
PIP and ADP are usually paid every four weeks unless you are terminally ill, in which case it is paid weekly. It will be paid directly into your bank, building society or credit union account.
ADP is paid at the same rates as PIP.
What are the PIP and ADP payment rates?
You will need an assessment to work out the level of financial help you will receive and your rate will be regularly reviewed to make sure you are getting the right support.
PIP is made up of two components:
Daily living
Mobility
Whether you get one or both of these and how much depends on how severely your condition affects you.
You will be paid the following amounts per week depending on your circumstances:
Daily living
Standard rate: £61.85
Enhanced rate: £92.40
Mobility
Standard rate: £24.45
Enhanced rate: £64.50
How you are assessed
You will be assessed by an independent healthcare professional to help the DWP determine the level of financial support, if any, you need, for PIP.
Face-to-face consultations for health-related benefits are offered alongside video calls, telephone and paper-based assessments - it's important to be aware that there is no choice here, it's up to the health professional and DWP.
Adult Disability Payment assessments will not involve face-to-face assessments, unless this is preferred by the claimant - find out more about the changes here.
You can find out more about DWP PIP assessments here.
How do you make a claim for PIP?
You can make a new claim by contacting the DWP, you will find all the information you need to apply on the GOV.UK website here.
Before you call, you will need:
your contact details
your date of birth
your National Insurance number - this is on letters about tax, pensions and benefits
your bank or building society account number and sort code
your doctor or health worker’s name, address and telephone number
dates and addresses for any time you’ve spent abroad, in a care home or hospital
Once you have contacted the DWP, they will send you a document to complete which consists of 14 questions. This includes space for any additional information you feel is relevant to your claim.
The questions focus on how your condition affects you, so put as much detail in as you can to help the assessor understand your physical or mental health needs.
If you have difficulty filling in your form or understanding the questions, contact your local council and ask for help or Citizens Advice Scotland.
There is also an online PIP toolkit with examples of all the questions to help you answer fully with the most relevant information, find out more about this here.
Even if you don't qualify for financial support, you could be eligible for a National Entitlement Travel Card, which offers free or reduced travel across Scotland on most public transport links.
For more information about PIP, visit GOV.UK here.
How to apply for Adult Disability Payment
People can apply ADP, over the phone, by post or in-person. To find out more or apply, visit the dedicated pages on mygov.scot here or call Social Security Scotland on 0800 182 2222.
To keep up to date with the latest benefits news, join our Money Saving Scotland Facebook page here, follow us on Twitter @Record_Money, or subscribe to our newsletter which goes out Monday to Friday - sign up here.
READ NEXT
PIP claimants most-likely to receive an ongoing award with a 'light touch' review after 10 years
- DWP confirms payment schedule for new cost of living cash support for 8m households
- People making new claim for PIP may not need to attend an assessment this year
Claim PIP for 87 muscle or joint conditions and you could get up to £156 each week tax-free
New disability payment replacing PIP may include ‘informal observations’ during the consultation
