DWP PIP claimants with these four conditions may get higher awards

key takeaways

New DWP data reveals that over 1.5 million (41%) of the 3.6 million Personal Independence Payment (PIP) recipients have awards lasting at least five years. These figures, covering England, Scotland, Wales, and some international claimants, reflect support for disabilities, chronic illnesses, and mental or physical health conditions.

Around 58% of PIP claimants with visual impairments receive long-term benefits of up to £737.20 per month. Similarly, 50.8% of those with musculoskeletal conditions like arthritis or joint pain and 49.5% of individuals with neurological disorders—such as epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, and muscular dystrophy—have been granted extended awards, according to the Daily Record.

PIP award durations vary from nine months to ten years, though the DWP officially categorizes only those lasting five years or more. The 2024/25 PIP Handbook explains that awards are determined by how a disability or health condition impacts daily life and independence, with each case assessed individually.

While most claimants undergo periodic reviews, some receive fixed-term awards of up to two years without reassessment, typically when health improvements are expected. Additionally, certain conditions qualify for higher PIP awards.

Conditions capable of receiving high PIP award

Furthermore, certain recipients are given ongoing awards with "light touch" evaluations, in which "These claimants would not normally be expected to have a face-to-face assessment at review," according to DWP standards.

Successful PIP claims now result in extra financial aid of between £28.70 and £184.30 every week, which adds up to between £114.80 and £737.20 per pay period because the benefit is given every four weeks. Importantly, PIP can be granted to people with a variety of medical illnesses for a maximum of five years or more, depending on the claimant's condition.

As of the end of October 2024, the conditions listed below had the highest percentage of five-year or longer awards granted to claimants:

Visual diseases
Musculoskeletal disease (general)
Neurological disease
Respiratory disease
Autoimmune disease
Musculoskeletal disease (regional)

Who might qualify for PIP?

You must have a disability or health condition that has interfered with your everyday life or mobility (or both) for three months and is predicted to persist for at least nine months in order to qualify for PIP. Generally, you must be in the UK at the time of application and have lived there for at least two of the previous three years.

In addition to the aforementioned, you should think about qualifying for PIP if your condition necessitates or leads to assistance with any of the following.