People on Universal Credit with a disability, long-term illness, or physical or mental health condition could be entitled to extra financial support through Personal Independence Payment (PIP) or Adult Disability Payment (ADP), potentially receiving up to £1,203.30 a month when combined with their standard allowance.
According to the latest figures from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), there are currently 8.4 million people across Great Britain claiming Universal Credit. This income-related benefit is designed to help with everyday living costs and is available for those in work on a low income, as well as those who are out of work or cannot work.
However, many claimants may be unaware that PIP or ADP—which has replaced PIP in Scotland—could provide extra money to help with daily living or mobility costs. It's important to note that means-tested benefits and disability benefits are issued separately and at different times. Universal Credit and JSA are issued on the same date every month, but PIP and ADP are usually issued every four weeks.
Payment rates and potential monthly income
PIP and ADP are tax-free, non-means tested payments that do not affect the benefit cap. This means a single claimant over 25 on Universal Credit or JSA making a new claim for either benefit could potentially receive up to £778.40 every four weeks independently of their other benefits.
Combined with a monthly Universal Credit payment of £424.90 (single, over-25 rate), this could provide up to £1,203.30 a month. It's important to be aware this figure is based on someone receiving the higher rate of both the daily living and mobility components of either PIP or ADP.
It's also crucial to be aware that the health condition itself will not automatically qualify someone for PIP or ADP—it's how it affects a person's daily living and/or mobility needs.
Universal Credit monthly rates
Unlike Universal Credit, PIP and ADP are claimed by individuals, not couples. The monthly Universal Credit rates are:
- Single claimants, under 25: £338.58
- Single claimants, 25 or over: £424.90
PIP is made up of two components—Daily living and Mobility. Whether you get one or both of these, and how much, depends on how severely your condition affects you. Payments are issued every four weeks.
You will be paid the following amounts per week depending on your circumstances:
- Daily living: Standard rate £76.70, Enhanced rate £114.60
- Mobility: Standard rate £30.30, Enhanced rate £80.00
Even though new claims for PIP have been replaced in Scotland by ADP, it shares most of the same eligibility criteria. Full guidance on ADP can be found on the MYGOV.SCOT website.
Main disabling conditions and eligibility
Below are the five main disabling conditions recorded by the DWP at the end of April 2026:
- Psychiatric disorders—including mixed anxiety, stress, depressive and mood disorders, OCD and cognitive disorders
- Musculoskeletal disease (general)—including muscle or joint pain and arthritic conditions
- Neurological disease—including muscular dystrophy, epilepsy, headache, multiple sclerosis, neuropathy and other movement disorders
- Musculoskeletal disease (regional)—including neck, back, shoulders, elbow, wrists, hands, hip, knee and ankle pain
- Respiratory disease—including asthma, diseases of the upper respiratory tract, pulmonary fibrosis and cystic fibrosis
An award for PIP or ADP can also open the door to additional support for housing costs, Council Tax, other benefits and a reduction or exemption on public transport fares.
To be eligible for PIP or ADP, you must have a health condition or disability where you have had difficulties with daily living or getting around (or both) for 3 months and expect these difficulties 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 you apply.
If you get or need help with any of the following because of your condition, you should consider applying for PIP or ADP: preparing, cooking or eating food; managing your medication; washing, bathing or using the toilet; dressing and undressing; engaging and communicating with other people; reading and understanding written information; making decisions about money; planning a journey or following a route; and moving around.
There are different rules if you are terminally ill, which can be found on the GOV.UK website for PIP and on MYGOV.SCOT for ADP.
How PIP and ADP are paid and assessed
PIP and ADP are usually paid every four weeks unless you are terminally ill, in which case it is paid weekly. It will be paid directly into your bank, building society or credit union account. ADP is paid at the same rates as PIP.
For PIP, you will be assessed by an independent healthcare professional to help the DWP determine the level of financial support, if any, you need. Face-to-face consultations for health-related benefits are offered alongside video calls, telephone and paper-based assessments—it's important to be aware the health professional and DWP determine which type of assessment is best suited for each claimant. Adult Disability Payment assessments will not involve face-to-face assessments, unless this is preferred by the claimant.
To make a new PIP claim, you can contact the DWP, with all the information needed on the GOV.UK website. Before calling, you will need your contact details, date of birth, National Insurance number, bank or building society account number and sort code, your doctor or health worker's name, address and telephone number, and dates and addresses for any time spent abroad, in a care home or hospital. For ADP, people can apply over the phone, by post or in-person, with more information available on mygov.scot or by calling Social Security Scotland on 0800 182 2222.
