There are now more than 3.7 million people across England and Wales claiming PIP
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has released showing that at the end of April, approximately 420,000 people on Personal Independence Payment (PIP) were having their claims reviewed. This includes 380,000 award reviews and 40,000 changes in circumstances.
Currently, over 3.7 million people across England and Wales are claiming PIP. However, many people not receiving the maximum PIP may be unaware that if their condition has worsened and they require more assistance with daily living tasks or mobility needs, or both, they could potentially increase their monthly payments.
PIP is intended to assist those with a disability, long-term illness, or physical or mental health condition with additional daily living or mobility costs. A successful claim for PIP can yield between £29.20 and £187.45 per week – equating to £116.80 or £749.80 every four-week pay period. The large difference between the payments is due to the various combinations of the daily living and mobility component rates that a claimant could receive, reports the Daily Record.
A claimant could be awarded the highest rate of both and receive the maximum, £749.80 every four-week pay period, or the standard rate of both, £412.40. Similarly, a person may only be entitled to the standard rate of the daily living component – £73.90 per week, £295.60 every four weeks or the standard rate of the mobility component – £29.20 per week, £116.80 every four weeks.
A person on the standard rate of the mobility component (£116.80 every four weeks), experiencing a change in their circumstances, such as a deteriorating condition or additional health issues, could potentially receive the higher rates of both the daily living and mobility components.
This would result in payments of £749.80 every four weeks, an increase of £633. Elevating payments from the standard rate to the higher could enhance annual income to £9,747.40 over 2025/26.
In another scenario, someone currently receiving the standard rate of both components (£412.40 per four-week pay period) who reports a change and is awarded the higher rate of both the daily living and mobility components (£749.80), would gain an extra £337.40 each month, some £4,386 over the current financial year.
Note that reporting a change in circumstances to DWP does not guarantee an increase in award. Each case is unique and no single condition affects two people in the same way.
PIP payment rates
PIP is paid at the following amounts per week depending on your circumstances:
Daily living
- Standard rate: £73.90
- Enhanced rate: £110.40
Mobility
- Standard rate: £29.20
- Enhanced rate: £77.05
Reporting a change – PIP
The key thing to understand about the PIP new claim and review process is that awards are based on how your condition, long-term illness or disability affects you – not the actual condition itself. This distinction is made clear by the DWP in the current edition of the online PIP Handbook.
The guidance on GOV.UK clarifies: “As the assessment principles consider the impact of a claimant’s condition on their ability to live independently and not the condition itself, claimants with the same condition may get different outcomes. The outcome is based on an independent assessment and all available evidence.”
Before reaching out to the DWP to report a change in your circumstances, understand that depending on the change, your PIP could increase, decrease, remain the same or cease.
Guidance on GOV.UK indicates you should contact the PIP if:
- you need more or less help with daily living and mobility tasks
- your health professional tells you your condition will last for a longer or shorter time than you reported before
- your condition has worsened and you’re not expected to live more than 12 months
How to report a change
Ring the ‘PIP enquiry line’ on 0800 121 4433, lines are open Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm. Comprehensive guidance on reporting a change can be found on GOV.UK here.
Word of caution
Before making any request, seek independent advice from organisations such as the Citizens Advice Network because while an award review could result in an increase in payments, it could also see them reduced or even stopped. Find out more here.