New figures from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) reveal that nearly 1.9 million people have been receiving Personal Independence Payment (PIP) for five years or more. As of April 2026, there were just over 4 million PIP claimants in England and Wales, with 1,854,768—approximately 46 percent—having claimed the benefit for at least five years. In Scotland, Adult Disability Payment (ADP) has replaced PIP for all new claims and most existing claimants.
PIP Payment Rates and Eligibility
PIP is a non-means-tested benefit for individuals aged 16 and over with a long-term physical or mental health condition or disability that causes difficulty with everyday tasks or mobility. Successful claims are worth between £30.30 and £194.60 per week, paid in arrears every four weeks, resulting in awards of £121.20 to £778.40. Eligibility is based on how a condition affects daily living or mobility needs, not the diagnosis itself.
Conditions Among Long-Term Claimants
The largest group of long-term PIP claimants—638,476 individuals—had psychiatric disorders. Other common conditions included musculoskeletal disease (general) with 407,939 claimants, neurological disease (278,566), and musculoskeletal disease (regional) with 225,587. Smaller numbers were recorded for respiratory disease (73,548), cardiovascular disease (44,393), visual disease (41,245), and malignant disease (33,319). Additional conditions included endocrine disease (23,995), hearing disorders (22,811), gastrointestinal disease (14,022), skin disease (12,348), genitourinary disease (10,704), autoimmune disease (10,668), and diseases of the liver, gallbladder and biliary tract (4,854). Haematological disease (3,965), infectious disease (3,906), metabolic disease (2,544), multisystem and extremes of age (827), diseases of the immune system (584), and unknown or missing (463) rounded out the list.
Award Lengths and Reviews
PIP awards can last from nine months up to 10 years, though DWP data only records awards as 'five years or longer'. The DWP states that award length is based on individual circumstances, and most claimants undergo regular reviews to ensure appropriate support. Some claimants receive limited-term awards of up to two years without review, typically when their condition may improve. Ongoing awards with a 'light touch' review are given to those with very stable needs, high-level needs unlikely to change, or claimants nearing State Pension age. According to DWP guidance, these claimants 'would not usually be expected to have a face-to-face assessment at review'.
Who Is Eligible for PIP or ADP?
To qualify, individuals must have had difficulties with daily living or mobility for three months and expect these to continue for at least nine months. They usually need to have lived in the UK for two of the last three years and be in the country when applying. The assessment considers whether tasks can be done safely, how long they take, how often the condition affects the activity, and whether help or equipment is needed. PIP and ADP are paid every four weeks, except for terminally ill claimants who receive weekly payments. Rates are identical: daily living standard rate £76.70, enhanced rate £114.60; mobility standard rate £30.30, enhanced rate £80.00.
How to Claim
New PIP claims can be made by contacting the DWP with personal details, National Insurance number, bank account information, and doctor’s details. ADP applications in Scotland can be made by phone, post, or in person via Social Security Scotland. Face-to-face assessments for PIP may be offered alongside video, telephone, or paper-based assessments, while ADP assessments are typically not face-to-face unless preferred by the claimant.
