42 percent of all 3.5 million Personal Independence Payment (PIP) claimants have an award that lasts five years or more, according to the Department for Work and Pensions' (DWP) most recent statistics. According to the figures, 1,468,614 persons with a continuing award for a disability, long-term sickness, or physical or mental health condition were living in Scotland, England, Wales, and overseas as of the end of January.

For five years or longer, almost 57% of individuals claiming PIP for a visual condition receive a monthly payment of up to £737.20. A "light touch" award has been granted to more than half of all claimants with general musculoskeletal conditions (50.3%) such as arthritis, muscle, or joint pain, as well as 49.1% of those with neurological conditions such muscular dystrophy, multiple sclerosis, and epilepsy.

For people thinking about making a new claim for PIP, or Adult Disability Payment (ADP) in Scotland, it’s important to be aware that awards can be given for between nine months and up to 10 years, however, DWP data only records awards given up to ‘five years or longer’.

The 2024 edition of the PIP Handbook explains that the decision maker will make an award of PIP based on the impact of the claimant’s health condition or disability on their daily life and their ability to live independently. It adds: “The length of award will be based upon each claimant’s individual circumstances.”

It’s important to be aware that the guidance from the DWP also says that most claimants will have their award regularly reviewed, “regardless of the length of the award” in order to make sure “everyone continues to receive the most appropriate level of support”.

Some claimants will be given a limited term award for a fixed period of up to two years - DWP says these awards will not be reviewed. Limited awards with no review date are given where the claimant’s health condition may be reasonably expected to improve.
Ongoing awards with a ‘light touch’ review

A ‘light touch’ review is for claimants 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

The DWP guidance states: “These claimants would not usually be expected to have a face-to-face assessment at review.”

A successful claim for PIP or ADP is now worth between £28.70 and £184.30 each week in additional financial support and as the benefit is paid every four weeks, this amounts to between £114.80 and £737.20 every pay period.

Six conditions with PIP award of five years or longer

It's important to be aware that 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 by the end of January 2024.

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 3 months

    expect these difficulties to continue for at least 9 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.
  

• preparing, cooking or eating food
• managing your medication
• washing, bathing or using the toilet
•  dressing and undressing
  
• engaging and communicating with other people
  
• reading and understanding written information
  
• making decisions about money
  
• planning a journey or following a route
  
• moving around

There are different rules if you are terminally ill, you will find these on the GOV.UK website here.

DWP or Social Security Scotland will assess how difficult you find daily living and mobility tasks. For each task they will look at:

    whether you can do it safely
    how long it takes you
    how often your condition affects this activity
    whether you need help to do it, from a person or using extra equipment

How are PIP and ADP paid?

PIP and ADP are usually paid every four weeks unless you are terminally ill, in which case it is paid weekly. It will be paid directly into your bank, building society or credit union account. ADP is paid at the same rates as PIP.
PIP and ADP payment rates 2024/25

You will need an assessment to work out the level of financial help you will receive and your rate will be regularly reviewed to make sure you are getting the right support. Payments are made every four weeks.

PIP is made up of two components:

    Daily living

    Mobility

Whether you get one or both of these and how much depends on how severely your condition affects you.

You will be paid the following amounts per week depending on your circumstances:

Daily living

    Standard rate: £72.65

    Enhanced rate: £108.55

Mobility

    Standard rate: £28.70

    Enhanced rate: £75.75