Around 3.9 million claimants in England and Wales receive up to £749 every four weeks
Linda Howard and Robert Rowlands Deputy editor, Money and lifestyle hub
09:40, 08 Feb 2026
British banknotes – PIP rules show that different payments are made depending on a person’s circumstances(Image: Getty)
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has delayed planned changes to Personal Independence Payment (PIP) until a review of the eligibility and assessment process is completed. The Minister for Social Security and Disability, Sir Stephen Timms, will carry out the review alongside disabled groups and charities, with findings expected this autumn.
The DWP has previously confirmed that more than 1,000 new PIP awards are being made daily, with the latest figures showing nearly 3.9 million claimants in England and Wales receiving between £29.20 and £187.45 each week. Adult Disability Payment (ADP) has replaced PIP for all new and existing claimants living in Scotland.
The statistics also show that more than 1.5m (39%) of all PIP claimants have been awarded payments for five years or longer. Over 58 per cent of people claiming PIP for a visual condition receive a monthly award of up to £749 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 granted a longer award, alongside 49.5 per cent of people with a neurological condition like epilepsy, multiple sclerosis and muscular dystrophy.
For those considering submitting a new claim for PIP, or ADP, it’s important to understand that award durations vary and can range between nine months and up to 10 years, although DWP data only records awards classified as ‘five years or longer’, the Daily Record reports. PIP guidance on GOV.UK explains that the decision maker will evaluate an award for PIP based on how the claimant’s health condition or disability affects their daily life and their capacity to live independently.
It states: “The length of award will be based upon each claimant’s individual circumstances.”
The DWP guidance also notes 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 will receive a limited term award for a fixed duration of up to two years – the DWP says these awards will not be reviewed. Limited awards without a review date are granted where the claimant’s health condition may reasonably be expected to improve.
Ongoing awards to groups of people with a ‘light touch’ review
A ‘light touch’ review is typically granted to claimants who have:
high level needs that will either stay the same or get worsea planned award review date due on or at State Pension agea special rules for end of life claim due when at State Pension agevery stable needs unlikely to change over time
The DWP guidance confirms: “These claimants would not usually be expected to have a face-to-face assessment at review.”
PIP and ADP payments currently range from £29.20 to £187.45 per week, equivalent to £116.80 or £749.80 every four-week pay period. Over the financial year, those on the highest awards will receive an additional £9,747 in cash support.
The maximum sum 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 more
Individuals with various health conditions can receive PIP for up to five years or more. The award is dependent 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 as of the end of October 2025.
Health condition, number of claimants and 5-year awards
Visual disease
Musculoskeletal disease (general)
Neurological disease
Respiratory disease
Autoimmune disease (connective tissue disorders)
Musculoskeletal disease (regional)
Total number of PIP claimants: 3,88,2571
Here’s a brief overview of PIP and ADP. Although new claims for PIP have been replaced by ADP in Scotland, most of the eligibility criteria remain the same.
Comprehensive guidance on ADP can be found on the MYGOV.SCOT website.
Who might qualify for PIP or ADP?
To qualify 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.anticipate these challenges to persist for at least nine months.
You typically need to have lived in the UK for at least two of the past three years and be present in the country when submitting your application.
Beyond what we’ve detailed above, if you receive or require assistance with any of the following due to your condition, you should consider applying for PIP or ADP.
dressing and undressingworking out a route and following itwashing, bathing, using the toilet, managing incontinencetalking, listening, reading and understandingmanaging your medicines or treatmentsmixing with other peopleeating, drinking or preparing foodmaking decisions about moneyleaving your homephysically moving around
Different regulations apply if you are terminally ill; these can be found on the GOV.UK website here.
DWP or Social Security Scotland will evaluate how challenging you find daily living and mobility activities. For each activity they will examine:
whether you can do it safelyhow long it takes youhow often your condition affects this activitywhether you need help to do it, from a person or using extra equipment
How are PIP and ADP distributed?
PIP and ADP are normally paid every four weeks, unless you are terminally ill, in which case payment is weekly. Money will be transferred directly into your bank, building society or credit union account.
ADP is paid at identical rates to PIP.
PIP and ADP payment amounts.
You will need an assessment to determine the level of financial support you’ll receive, and your rate will be regularly reviewed to ensure you’re getting appropriate assistance. Payments are issued every four weeks.
PIP consists of two components:
Whether you receive one or both, and the amount, depends on how severely your condition affects you.
You will receive the following sums per week based on your circumstances:
Daily living
Standard: £73.90Enhanced: £110.40
Mobility
Standard: £29.20Enhanced: £77.05
How you are assessed
An independent healthcare professional will assess you to help the DWP in establishing what level of financial support, if any, you need for PIP.
Face-to-face appointments for health-related benefits are available alongside video calls, telephone and paper-based assessments – the health professional and DWP decide which assessment type is most suitable for each claimant.
Adult Disability Payment assessments won’t include face-to-face appointments, unless the claimant requests this – find out more about these changes here.
How can you apply for PIP?
You can submit a new claim by contacting the DWP, with all the necessary application information available on the GOV.UK website. Before making a call, you’ll require:
your contact details.your date of birth.your National Insurance number – found on correspondence 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 periods spent abroad, in a care home or hospital.
Instructions on how to apply for ADP
Individuals can submit their application for ADP via phone, post or in-person. For additional information or to apply, visit the specific pages on mygov.scot or get in touch with Social Security Scotland on 0800 182 2222.
