More than one million people with muscle or joint conditions are receiving between £30.30 and £194.60 per week through Personal Independence Payment (PIP), according to the latest figures from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).
PIP Payments Overview
The DWP confirmed that over 3.9 million people across England and Wales now receive PIP, with the benefit worth up to £778 every four-week payment period for those on higher rates of daily living and mobility components. PIP assists with extra costs from long-term health conditions or disabilities, including dozens of musculoskeletal disorders affecting mobility and daily tasks. Official data shows people with any of 87 musculoskeletal conditions may qualify based on how their condition impacts daily life.
At the end of January 2026, over 1.2 million adults received PIP for musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions. In Scotland, Adult Disability Payment (ADP) has replaced PIP, supporting 498,090 Scots. Those aged 16 to State Pension age may claim PIP or ADP for musculoskeletal conditions.
A successful claim provides between £30.30 and £194.60 weekly, equating to £121.20 to £778.40 every four weeks. The average processing time for new PIP claims is 16 weeks, so applications submitted this month could be processed by the end of August. ADP claims take just over 11 weeks, with submissions this month potentially processed by July.
Musculoskeletal Conditions Supported
As of January, over one million people received PIP for musculoskeletal conditions: Scotland (485 claimants moved to ADP), England and Wales (1,207,722), living abroad (997), total (1,209,866). Below is the list of 87 conditions, though it is not exhaustive. Awards depend on how a condition affects you, not the diagnosis itself.
General Conditions
- Osteoarthritis, Osteoarthritis of Hip, Knee, other single joint
- Primary generalised Osteoarthritis
- Chronic pain syndrome, Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS)
- Fibromyalgia, Pain syndromes (other)
- Inflammatory arthritis: Ankylosing spondylitis, Psoriatic, Reactive, other
- Juvenile chronic arthritis (Still's disease), Rheumatoid arthritis
- Crystal deposition disorders: Gout, Pseudogout, other
- Osteonecrosis and osteochondritis
- Metabolic/endocrine disorders: Osteomalacia, Osteoporosis, Paget's disease, Rickets, other
- Genetic disorders: Achondroplasia, Hypermobility syndrome, Marfan's syndrome, Osteogenesis imperfecta, others
- Benign bone tumours
- Fracture complications: Compartment syndrome, Sudek's atrophy, other
- Other generalised musculoskeletal disease
Regional Conditions
- Shoulder: Frozen shoulder, Rotator cuff disorder, Shoulder instability, other
- Elbow: Golfers elbow, Tennis elbow, other
- Wrist/hand: Carpal tunnel syndrome, Dupuytren's contracture, Tendon lesions, Tenosynovitis, other
- Neck: Cervical disc lesion, Cervical spondylosis, Whiplash, other
- Back: Non-specific back pain, Specific back pain, Kyphosis, Lumbar disc lesion, Scoliosis, Spinal stenosis, others
- Hip: Congenital dislocation, Perthes disease, Slipped upper femoral epiphysis, other
- Knee: Bursitis, Chondromalacia patellae, Ligamentous instability, Meniscal lesions, Osgood Schlatters, Patellar dislocation, other
- Ankle/foot: Club foot, Metatarsalgia, Hallux valgus/rigidus, other
- Amputations: Lower limb, Upper limb, both
- Injuries/fractures/dislocations: Abdomen, Lower limb, Multiple, Pelvis, Spine, Thorax, Upper limb
- Other regional musculoskeletal disease
Eligibility for PIP or ADP
To qualify, you must have a health condition or disability causing difficulties with daily living or mobility for 3 months, expected 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 applying. Consider applying if you need help with: preparing food, managing medication, washing, dressing, communicating, reading, making decisions, planning journeys, or moving around. Different rules apply for terminal illness.
The DWP or Social Security Scotland assesses how difficult you find tasks, considering safety, time, frequency, and need for help or equipment.
Payment Rates
PIP and ADP are paid every four weeks (weekly if terminally ill) into your bank account. Rates are reviewed regularly. Components and weekly rates:
- Daily living: Standard £76.70, Enhanced £114.60
- Mobility: Standard £30.30, Enhanced £80.00
Assessment Process
An independent healthcare professional assesses you via face-to-face, video, phone, or paper-based methods. The DWP determines the type. ADP assessments avoid face-to-face unless preferred by the claimant.
How to Apply
For PIP, contact the DWP with your contact details, date of birth, National Insurance number, bank account info, doctor's details, and any time abroad or in care. Apply via GOV.UK. For ADP in Scotland, apply by phone, post, or in-person via mygov.scot or call 0800 182 2222.
