DWP confirms 12 conditions likely to get maximum PIP award length

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has confirmed the full list of 12 medical conditions most likely to get the maximum Personal Independence Payment (PIP) award length of five years.

PIP is a disability benefit paid to help people with long-term physical or mental health conditions or disabilities with daily activities and additional living expenses. It supports those who need help with daily living tasks, particularly people of State Pension age who want to maintain their independence at home.

The shortest award is only nine months long, while the longest is an ongoing award with a 'light touch' review at 10 years.

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How PIP is structured

PIP is not a single flat rate. Instead, it is divided into two parts based on how a claimant's condition affects their independence.

The daily living component covers the extra costs of managing everyday tasks. The standard rate is set at £76.55 per week, while the enhanced rate provides £114.80. The mobility component addresses the challenges of getting around. The base rate for this component is £30.20, with an increased level of £80.10.

By qualifying for the enhanced daily living rate and a portion of the mobility support, eligible claimants can see their weekly total reach the £187 mark, totalling £748 per month.

Award lengths and reviews

For people thinking about making a new claim for PIP, or Adult Disability Payment, it's important to be aware award lengths vary and can last between nine months and up to 10 years. However, DWP data only records awards given up to 'five years or longer'.

The current edition of the PIP Handbook explains 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."

The guidance from the DWP also says 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.

The 12 conditions most likely to get maximum award

Latest data from the DWP has revealed the top 12 conditions with the highest amount of long-term PIP claimants. Combined, there are 1,804,025 claimants who have been receiving PIP for five years or longer out of the 3,926,015 claimants for these 12 conditions.

Below is the complete list of the 12 medical conditions most likely to get the maximum PIP award length, the number of long-term claimants, the number of total claimants for that condition and the percentage of claimants who are long term: