DWP reveals update on 4 conditions getting ‘ongoing' PIP awards
Personal Independence Payments (PIP) are the primary disability benefit provided by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) - but successful claimants can only receive it for a fixed period. This can vary from nine months to 10 years.
The latter are referred to as 'ongoing' awards, although the most common award offered for new claimants is two years or less.
Once the award expires, recipients must undergo a review which will assess how their circumstances, conditions and the impact of their disability have changed. This ultimately determines whether they are still eligible for the benefit and if their rate should be increased or decreased.
Reviews can also be initiated if people inform the DWP of certain changes in circumstances during their award period. Now new data from the DWP has revealed which conditions tend to be granted longer awards on the initial application and during reviews.
A total of 17% of people with respiratory diseases received ongoing awards between 2020 and 2025 at their first application. This category typically includes conditions such as lung transplants, cystic fibrosis, asthma and pulmonary embolus among others.
Elsewhere, a total of 13% of people with neurological diseases received ongoing awards during this period at their first application. According to Benefits and Work, this category includes conditions like multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, head injuries and hydrocephalus among others.
For people undergoing reassessment whilst transitioning from Disability Living Allowance to PIP, 36% of those suffering from neurological conditions secured continuing awards. The volume of reassessment claims for general musculoskeletal disorders receiving ongoing awards passed the number for respiratory conditions, by a narrow margin.
General musculoskeletal disorders include conditions such as osteoarthritis, chronic pain syndromes and fracture complications. The statistics also highlighted: "DLA reassessment claimants are more likely to receive ongoing awards than new claimants, across all disabling conditions."
Disability Living Allowance represents the primary benefit accessible to disabled youngsters under 16 years of age in England and Wales. Upon reaching 16, claimants require reassessment to enable their transfer to PIP.
PIP applies to claimants aged 16 through to state pension age. When a person reaches state pension age, submitting a new PIP claim becomes impossible and they must instead apply for Attendance Allowance.
But if they're already receiving PIP when turning 66, they may continue receiving the payment whilst they remain eligible. They will typically undergo a "light touch" review every decade after reaching state pension age, according to Independent Living.
Psychiatric disorders represented the conditions with the lowest proportion of cases securing ongoing awards. This pattern applied to both fresh claims and individuals undergoing DLA reassessment.
Psychiatric disorders, which include a broad range of conditions from substance abuse to anxiety and dementia, account for 40% of all successful PIP claims. In contrast, respiratory diseases constitute 4%.
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