Here’s what you need to know about PIP payments
Certain health conditions are most likely to qualify for this benefit for five years or longer(Image: getty)
Brits living with specific health conditions are more likely to receive a Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) benefit for a five-year duration. Recent data has highlighted which ailments make claimants eligible for Personal Independence Payment (PIP) over an extended timeframe.
The most recent statistics released by the DWP indicate that 3.9 million PIP recipients across England and Wales are currently receiving weekly payments ranging from £29.20 to £187.45. According to the Daily Record, the figures also reveal that almost 1.8 million (45 per cent) of the total 3.9 million PIP recipients have been granted awards lasting five years or beyond.
Over 67 per cent of people claiming PIP due to visual impairments receive monthly payments of up to £749 for five years or more. More than half of claimants with general musculoskeletal disorders (50.8 per cent), including arthritis and muscle or joint discomfort, have secured longer-term awards, alongside 49.5 per cent of those with neurological conditions such as epilepsy, multiple sclerosis and muscular dystrophy.
For those considering submitting a fresh claim for PIP or ADP, it’s worth noting that award durations can span from nine months to as long as 10 years, although DWP records only categorise awards as ‘five years or longer’. PIP guidance states that decision makers will determine an award based on how a claimant’s health condition or disability affects their day-to-day living and capacity for independent life.
The guidance notes: “The length of award will be based upon each claimant’s individual circumstances.” It’s crucial to understand that DWP guidance also indicates that the majority of claimants will undergo regular reviews of their award, “regardless of the length of the award”, to ensure “everyone continues to receive the most appropriate level of support”.
Certain claimants will receive a fixed-term award lasting up to two years – the DWP confirms these awards will not be subject to review. Fixed awards without a review date are allocated when a claimant’s health condition is reasonably anticipated to show improvement.
PIP and ADP payments currently range from £29.20 to £187.45 per week, equating to £116.80 or £749.80 for each four-week payment cycle. Throughout the financial year, those receiving the maximum award will obtain £9,747 in additional financial support.
Six conditions with PIP award of five years or longer
It’s important to be aware, 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 October 2025.
Claimants with five-year PIP award:
- Visual disease: 40,429 (67 per cent)
- Musculoskeletal disease (general): 215,978 (29 per cent)
- Neurological disease: 269,675 (55 per cent)
- Respiratory disease: 70,700 (50 per cent)
- Autoimmune disease (connective tissue disorders): 10,031 (48 per cent)
- Musculoskeletal disease (regional): 215,978 (46 per cent)
- Total PIP claimants with 5-year award: 1,762,659 (45.4 per cent)
- Total number of PIP claimants: 3,882,571
In Scotland, PIP has been replaced by Adult Disability Payment (ADP). Full guidance on ADP can be found on the MYGOV.SCOT website.
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 three months
- Expect these difficulties to continue for at least nine 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:
- Eating, drinking or preparing food
- Washing, bathing, using the toilet, managing incontinence
- Dressing and undressing
- Talking, listening, reading and understanding
- Managing your medicines or treatments
- Making decisions about money
- Mixing with other people
- Working out a route and following it
- Physically moving around
- Leaving your home
There are different rules if you are terminally ill, you will find these on the GOV.UK website here.