Brits with asthma, a common long-term lung condition affecting breathing, may be able to claim Personal Independence Payment (PIP), according to the latest official figures from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).
PIP is a benefit that helps with extra living costs for people with a long-term physical or mental health condition or disability who have difficulty doing certain everyday tasks or getting around. It is paid in two parts: daily living, based on ability to do household tasks like washing and cooking, and mobility, based on travel needs.
Eligibility and payment rates
Claimants must be aged 16 and over and under State Pension age for a new claim. Those with an approved claim continue receiving it beyond that point, but new claims generally cannot be made after reaching State Pension age.
PIP is paid at two rates for each component. For daily living, the lower rate is £76.70 per week and the higher rate is £114.60. For mobility, the lower rate is £30.30 per week and the higher rate is £80. This means people in England and Wales can receive up to £194.60 per week in total if they qualify for the higher rate on both components.
Northern Ireland has its own PIP system, which largely runs in parallel with the rest of the UK. In Scotland, PIP has been replaced by Adult Disability Payment (ADP), which has most of the same eligibility criteria.
Respiratory conditions covered
According to DWP figures for the last quarterly totals to July 2026, a wide range of respiratory issues were recorded as the primary disabling condition on successful PIP claims, including asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), bronchiectasis, cystic fibrosis, sleep apnoea, pulmonary fibrosis, and pneumonia, among others.
Asthma symptoms include wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath, and a feeling of tightness in the chest, as explained on the NHS website. Symptoms can be mild or severe, usually come and go, and may be worse at night and early in the morning. Asthma attacks can be life threatening, and some people have severe asthma that is deeply debilitating.
How entitlement is assessed
Many people with asthma were awarded the enhanced rate for both parts of PIP. However, PIP is not awarded on the basis of a diagnosis alone. Entitlement depends on how a long-term health condition or disability affects someone's ability to carry out specific daily living and mobility activities, rather than the specific condition itself, according to The Daily Record. This assessment is made by the DWP based on independent medical advice.
