The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has confirmed the full list of 24 respiratory conditions that qualify claimants for Personal Independence Payment (PIP), with payments reaching up to £114.80 per week. As of April 2026, there were 144,732 PIP claims linked to respiratory conditions, according to the latest DWP data released last week.
PIP Claims and Eligibility
In total, more than four million people were claiming PIP as of April 2026, with the number rising to 4,010,098 from 3,926,015 in January of this year, according to government figures. The disability benefit, administered by the DWP, helps with additional costs arising from long-term disability, ill-health, or when individuals are nearing the end of their life due to a progressive illness.
PIP supports those who require assistance with everyday tasks, particularly people of State Pension age who wish to maintain their independence at home. The benefit is not a single flat rate but is divided into two parts based on how a claimant's condition affects their independence.
Payment Rates and Components
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, with a base rate of £30.20 and 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.
Full List of Qualifying Conditions
Eligibility for PIP is not determined by National Insurance contributions and it is not means-tested, meaning that even if you are employed, have savings, or are receiving other benefits, you can still qualify for the payments. PIP is not awarded automatically, and the DWP will evaluate how significantly claimants with a condition struggle with daily living and mobility tasks. To get PIP, you must experience difficulty with tasks more than half of the days over a 12-month period.
Below is the full list of qualifying respiratory conditions and the amount of associated claims as of April 2026, according to the DWP:
- Sleep apnoea - obstructive - 4,160
- Upper respiratory tract - Other diseases of / type not known - 1,599
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) chronic bronchitis/emphysema - 92,337
- Bronchiectasis - 2,873
- Cystic fibrosis - 3,148
- Asthma - 26,581
- Extrinsic allergic alveolitis - 40
- Fibrosing alveolitis - 45
- Pulmonary fibrosis - Other / type not known - 1,718
- Asbestosis - 120
- Pneumoconiosis - coalworkers - 10
- Pneumoconiosis - Other / type not known - 52
- Silicosis - 13
- Granulomatous lung disease and pulmonary infiltration - Other / type not known - 1,899
- Sarcoidosis - 2,795
- Empyema - 144
- Pleura - Other diseases of / type not known - 152
- Pleural effusion - 85
- Pneumothorax - 254
- Lung transplantation - 151
- Heart and lung transplantation - 42
- Pulmonary embolus - 1,689
- Pneumonia - 710
- Lower respiratory tract - Other diseases of / type not known - 4,118
The DWP data provides a clear picture of how respiratory conditions are represented among PIP claimants, with COPD accounting for the largest share of claims.
