The latest figures from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) show that more than 1.5 million people (42.4%) of all 3.6m Personal Independence Payment (PIP) claimants have an award of five years or longer. The data indicates that at the end of July, some 1,501,215 people in Scotland, England, Wales and living abroad, have an ongoing award for a disability, long-term illness, or physical or mental health condition.
More than 58 per cent of people claiming PIP for a visual disease have a monthly award of up to £737.20 for five years or more. More than half of all claimants with general musculoskeletal conditions (50.8%) 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 Adult Disability Payment (ADP) in Scotland, it’s important to be aware that award lengths cary and can last between nine months and up to 10 years, however, DWP data only records awards given up to ‘five years or longer’.
The 2024 edition of the PIP Handbook explains that the decision maker will make 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 that the guidance from the DWP also says that 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.
Ongoing awards with a ‘light touch’ review
A ‘light touch’ review is typically awarded 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 states: “These claimants would not usually be expected to have a face-to-face assessment at review.”
A successful claim for PIP or ADP is now worth between £28.70 and £184.30 each week in additional financial support and as the benefit is paid every four weeks, this amounts to between £114.80 and £737.20 every pay period.
Six conditions with PIP award of five years or longer
It’s important to be aware that 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 July 2024.
| Condition | Total Claimants | 5-Year+ Awards | % |
|
Visual disease |
59,085 |
34,692 |
58.7% |
|
Musculoskeletal disease (general) |
672,201 |
341,434 |
50.8% |
|
Neurological disease |
465,187 |
230,412 |
49.5% |
|
Respiratory disease |
138,003 |
64,835 |
46.9% |
|
Autoimmune disease (connective tissue disorders) |
19,240 |
8,697 |
45.2% |
|
Musculoskeletal disease (regional) |
416,878 |
185,916 |
44.6% |
|
Total number of PIP claimants |
3,544,042 |
1,501,215 |
42.4% |
Below is an overview of PIP and ADP. Even though new claims for PIP have been replaced in Scotland by ADP, it shares most of the same eligibility criteria. Full guidance on ADP can be found on the MYGOV.SCOT website here.
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 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.
PIP and ADP payment rates 2024/25
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. Payments are made every four weeks.
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: £72.65
-
Enhanced rate: £108.55
Mobility
-
Standard rate: £28.70
-
Enhanced rate: £75.75
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 the health professional and DWP determine which type of assessment is best suited for each claimant. You can find out more about DWP PIP assessments here.
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.
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
How to apply for ADP
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.