New figures from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) have revealed the 13 most common heart conditions listed on Personal Independence Payment (PIP) claims, with over 100,000 people receiving up to £191.30 a week in financial support. PIP provides hundreds of pounds each month to assist individuals with disabilities.
However, a diagnosis alone does not guarantee a successful claim. To qualify, the condition must affect daily living or mobility—meaning some individuals may be eligible even before receiving an official diagnosis.
As of January 2026, 102,889 people were claiming PIP with a cardiovascular condition as their primary disabling condition. Among them, 10,198 claimants reported having a cardiovascular disease that was unknown or not otherwise categorised by the DWP.
Top Heart Conditions on PIP Applications
- Ischaemic heart disease (coronary heart disease) – 30,489 claimants
- Cardiac failure – 16,063 claimants
- Cardiac arrhythmias – 11,354 claimants
- Peripheral arterial disease – 6,675 claimants
- Hypertension – 5,921 claimants
- Congenital heart disease – 5,312 claimants
- Peripheral venous disease – 5,030 claimants
- Cardiomyopathy – 4,373 claimants
- Aneurysm – 3,572 claimants
- Valve disease – 3,342 claimants
- Heart transplantation – 310 claimants
- Pericarditis – 245 claimants
The number of claimants for ischaemic heart disease increased by over 100 since December 2025, while pericarditis claims dropped from 247 to 245.
Ischaemic heart disease, the most common cardiovascular condition, occurs when arteries supplying oxygen to the heart become blocked by fatty deposits, weakening the heart. Symptoms include severe fatigue, breathlessness, and chronic chest pain, which can impair daily life or mobility. However, some individuals manage well with treatment, so the condition is not automatically disabling for everyone.
According to the British Heart Foundation, around 2.3 million people in the UK have coronary heart disease. Healthy lifestyle changes—such as eating well, not smoking, and staying active—can reduce the risk of developing this disease.
PIP can provide up to £191.30 per week, but not all claimants receive the maximum. The benefit has two components: daily living and mobility. Each component has two weekly rates:
- Daily living enhanced rate: £114.60
- Daily living standard rate: £76.70
- Mobility enhanced rate: £80
- Mobility standard rate: £30.30
To be eligible, you must also:
- Be over 16
- Be under state pension age if claiming for the first time
- Expect the difficulties from your condition to last at least 12 months from when they started
- Live in England or Wales (Scotland has a different benefit, Adult Disability Payment)
