Millions of Britons could be missing out on vital financial support from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) without realising they qualify for Personal Independence Payment (PIP). This crucial benefit provides monthly payments to help with extra living costs when dealing with long-term health conditions or disabilities.
What is PIP and How Much Could You Receive?
Personal Independence Payment (PIP) is a tax-free benefit designed to help people with additional costs arising from health conditions or disabilities. Successful claimants can receive between £28.70 and £184.30 weekly for the daily living component, and between £21.90 and £108.55 for the mobility component.
This means eligible individuals could potentially access up to £737 every month to help cover essential expenses related to their condition.
Comprehensive List of Qualifying Health Conditions
The DWP assesses how your condition affects your daily life rather than focusing solely on the diagnosis itself. However, certain health conditions frequently lead to successful PIP claims:
Mental Health Conditions
- Anxiety disorders and depression
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Bipolar disorder
- Schizophrenia and psychosis
- Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD)
- Personality disorders
- Eating disorders including anorexia and bulimia
Musculoskeletal Conditions
- Arthritis (including osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis)
- Chronic back pain and spinal conditions
- Fibromyalgia
- Complex regional pain syndrome
- Joint hypermobility syndrome
Neurological Conditions
- Epilepsy and seizure disorders
- Multiple sclerosis (MS)
- Parkinson's disease
- Motor neurone disease
- Cerebral palsy
- Dementia and Alzheimer's disease
- Migraines and chronic headaches
Respiratory and Cardiovascular Conditions
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
- Asthma (severe cases)
- Cystic fibrosis
- Heart failure and coronary heart disease
- Peripheral arterial disease
Other Qualifying Conditions
- Diabetes (with complications)
- Cancer (during treatment and with ongoing effects)
- Hearing and visual impairments
- Learning disabilities including autism and ADHD
- Inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis)
- Chronic fatigue syndrome (ME)
- HIV and AIDS
How the Assessment Process Works
The DWP evaluates your ability to carry out specific daily living and mobility activities. They'll assess how your condition affects you in areas such as:
- Preparing and eating food - Can you prepare and cook a simple meal?
- Managing treatments - Are you able to monitor and take medication?
- Washing and bathing - Can you manage personal hygiene tasks?
- Dressing and undressing - How does your condition affect getting dressed?
- Reading and communicating - Can you read standard text and communicate verbally?
- Mobility - How far can you plan and follow journeys?
- Moving around - What is your physical ability to move?
How to Make Your Claim
If you believe you might qualify for PIP, the process begins by contacting the DWP to request an application form. You'll need to provide detailed information about how your condition affects your daily life, supported by medical evidence where possible.
Important: PIP is gradually being replaced by Adult Disability Payment in Scotland, though the eligibility criteria remain similar.
Don't assume you won't qualify - many people are surprised to discover they're eligible for this crucial financial support. The key is demonstrating how your condition impacts your daily activities, not just listing your diagnosis.
