The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has released the latest figures that show people with six conditions could be owed up to £750 a week. Over 3.7 million people across Great Britain are now claiming Personal Independence Payment (PIP).
Those making a new claim for PIP may not realise that the duration of a successful award can vary. The shortest award lasts nine months, while the longest is an ongoing award with a ‘light touch’ review every 10 years. Over 65% of people claiming PIP for a visual disease have been granted an award lasting five years or more. Similarly, more than half of all claimants with general musculoskeletal conditions (50.8%), such as arthritis, muscle or joint pain, have received a longer award. This also applies to 49.5% of people with a neurological condition like epilepsy, multiple sclerosis and muscular dystrophy, reports the Daily Record. For those considering making a new claim for PIP, it’s crucial to understand that award lengths vary and can last anywhere from nine months to up to 10 years. However, DWP data only records awards given for ‘five years or longer’. The latest version of the PIP Handbook outlines that a PIP award will be granted based on how a claimant’s health condition or disability affects their daily life and their ability to live independently. It adds: « The length of award will be based upon each claimant’s circumstances. »
It’s important to note that DWP guidance also indicates that most claimants will have their award regularly reviewed, « regardless of the length of the award », to ensure « everyone continues to receive the most appropriate level of support ».
Some claimants may receive a limited term award for a fixed period of up to two years – the DWP confirms these awards will not be reviewed. Limited awards with no review date are given where it is reasonably expected that the claimant’s health condition may improve.
Ongoing awards with a ‘light touch’ review
A ‘light touch’ review is typically awarded to claimants who have:
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very stable needs which are unlikely to change over time
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high level needs which will either stay the same or get worse
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a planned award review date due on or at State Pension age
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a special rules for end of life claim due when of State Pension age
According to DWP guidance: « These claimants would not usually be expected to have a face-to-face assessment at review. »
PIP can provide between £29.20 and £187.45 per week during the current financial year – equating to some £116.80 or £749.80 every four-week pay period. It’s crucial to note that the maximum amount of £749.80 is based on someone receiving the highest award for both the daily living and mobility components.
Six conditions with PIP award of five years or longer
It’s crucial to understand that people with varying health conditions can receive PIP for up to five years or more, depending on how their condition affects them. The following conditions have the highest percentage of claimants receiving awards for five years or longer as of the end of April 2025:
Visual disease
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58,539 claimants
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38,112 claimants awarded a Light Touch review
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65% of claimants with an award of five years or longer
Musculoskeletal disease (general)
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697,476 claimants
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365,238 claimants awarded a Light Touch review
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52% of claimants with an award of five years or longer
Neurological disease
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472,121 claimants
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252,214 claimants awarded a Light Touch review
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53.4% of claimants with an award of five years or longer
Respiratory disease
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137,957 claimants
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66,647 claimants awarded a Light Touch review
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48.3% of claimants with an award of five years or longer
Autoimmune disease (connective tissue disorders)
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19,921 claimants
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9,310 claimants awarded a Light Touch review
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46.7% of claimants with an award of five years or longer
Musculoskeletal disease (regional)
Total number of PIP claimants
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3,744,671 claimants
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1,631,688 claimants awarded a Light Touch review
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44% of claimants with an award of five years or longer
Who might qualify for PIP?
To be eligible for PIP you must have a health condition or disability where you:
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.
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Eating, drinking or preparing food
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Washing, bathing, using the toilet, managing incontinence
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Dressing and undressing
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Talking, listening, reading and understanding
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Managing your medicines or treatments
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Making decisions about money
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Mixing with other people
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Working out a route and following it
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Physically moving around
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Leaving your home
There are different rules if you are terminally ill, you will find these on the GOV.UK website here. The DWP will evaluate how challenging you find daily living and mobility tasks. They will examine each task in detail, including:
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Whether you can do it safely
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How long it takes you
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How often your condition affects this activity
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Whether you need help to do it, from a person or using extra equipment
PIP payment rates
An assessment is required to determine the level of financial assistance you’ll receive, and your rate will be regularly reviewed to ensure you’re receiving the appropriate support. Payments are made every four weeks.
PIP consists of two components:
Whether you receive one or both of these, and the amount, depends on the severity of your condition’s impact on you. Depending on your circumstances, you’ll be paid the following amounts per week:
Daily living
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Standard: £73.90
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Enhanced: £110.40
Mobility
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Standard: £29.20
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Enhanced: £77.05
PIP is typically paid every four weeks, unless you’re terminally ill, in which case payments are made weekly. Payments are directly deposited into your bank, building society or credit union account.
How to make a PIP claim
To initiate a new claim, you’ll need to get in touch with the DWP. All the necessary details for application can be found on the GOV.UK website here. Before making the call, ensure you have:
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Your contact information.
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Your date of birth.
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Your National Insurance number – this can be found on letters regarding tax, pensions and benefits.
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Your bank or building society account number and sort code.
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The name, address and telephone number of your doctor or health worker.
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Dates and addresses for any periods spent abroad, in a care home or hospital.
