DWP lists four groups of people most likely to retain PIP payment of £749

North Wales Live

a day ago

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has recently confirmed alterations to the Personal Independence Payment (PIP) from November 2026, affecting both new and existing claimants.
Current claimants will only be affected by these changes at their next review, post the November implementation date. Recent figures revealed that over 1.5 million (41%) of all 3.7 million PIP claimants have received an award for five years or longer.
As of the end of January, approximately 1,501,215 individuals in England, Wales, and overseas, are receiving ongoing awards for disabilities, long-term illnesses, or physical or mental health conditions.
Over 58% of individuals claiming PIP for a visual disease receive a monthly award of up to £749 for five years or more. Over half of all claimants with general musculoskeletal conditions (50.8%), such as arthritis, muscle or joint pain, have been granted a longer award, along with 49.5% of people with a neurological condition like epilepsy, multiple sclerosis and muscular dystrophy.
Those considering a new application for Personal Independence Payment (PIP) should note that awards can range from nine months to 10 years. The Department for Work and Pensions data indicates that some awards last 'five years or longer', according to the Daily Record.
The latest PIP Handbook outlines that decision makers will assess Personal Independence Payment (PIP) awards considering the impact of a claimant's health condition or disability on their everyday life and autonomy. The handbook clarifies: "The length of award will be based upon each claimant's individual circumstances."
Claimants should be aware that, as per DWP guidelines, most will face regular reviews of their PIP award "regardless of the length of the award" to ensure they receive the appropriate level of support.
While some individuals might secure fixed-term awards for up to two years without subsequent reviews – typically in cases where an improvement in health is foreseeable – others may be granted ongoing awards with 'light touch' reviews.
These 'light touch' reviews are designated for claimants who meet specific criteria, with the DWP stating: "These claimants would not usually be expected to have a face-to-face assessment at review."
A 'light touch' review generally applies to those who have:
very stable needs which are unlikely to change over time
high level needs which will either stay the same or get worse
a planned award review date due on or at State Pension age
a special rules for end of life claim due when of State Pension age
Current PIP and Adult Disability Payment (ADP) rates span from £29.20 to £187.45 weekly, which translates to between £116.80 and £749.80 every four weeks. Annually, recipients of the top-tier awards could see up to an extra £9,747.
It is important to remember that the upper limit of £749.80 is predicated on someone receiving the highest possible amounts for both the daily living and mobility components of the benefit.
It's crucial to note that people with various health conditions can receive PIP for 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 January 2025's end:
Visual disease
58,685
34,692
General Musculoskeletal disease
682,391
341,434
50.8%
Neurological disease
468,113
230,412
Respiratory disease
138,376
64,835
Autoimmune disease (connective tissue disorders)
19,542
8,697
Regional Musculoskeletal disease
426,038
185,916
44.6%
Total number of PIP claimants
3,694,536
1,501,215
41%
Who could 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 3 months
expect these difficulties to continue for at least 9 months
If you've been having difficulties with daily living or mobility (or both) for three months and expect these challenges to continue for at least nine months, you might qualify for help.
Usually, you need to have lived in the UK for at least two of the past three years and be in the country when you apply.
In addition, if your condition necessitates or results in needing assistance with any of the following, 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
Different rules apply if you are terminally ill, which can be found on the GOV.UK website.
The DWP will evaluate how you cope with daily living and mobility tasks. They will assess each task based on specific criteria.
How are PIP and ADP paid out?
PIP and ADP are typically paid every four weeks, unless you're terminally ill, in which case payments are made weekly. Payments are directly transferred into your bank, building society, or credit union account.
ADP is paid at the same rates as PIP.
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:
Daily living
Mobility
The component(s) you receive and the amount depends on how severely your condition affects you.
You will be paid the following amounts per week depending on your circumstances:
Daily living
Standard: £73.90
Enhanced: £110.40
Mobility
Standard: £29.20
Enhanced: £77.05
How you are assessed
An independent healthcare professional will assess you to help the DWP determine the level of financial support, if any, you need for PIP.
Face-to-face consultations for health-related benefits are offered alongside video calls, telephone and paper-based assessments - it's important to note that the health professional and DWP decide which type of assessment is best suited for each claimant. You can find out more about DWP PIP assessments here.
How do you make a claim for PIP?
You can initiate a new claim by reaching out to the DWP, all the necessary information for application is available on the GOV.UK website.