The latest figures from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) show that on January 31, 2022 there were 2.9 million people across the UK claiming support through Personal Independence Payments (PIP), with just over one in three claimants (35%) receiving the highest level of award.
Of that total, 305,279 people living in Scotland will now be receiving financial support of between £24.45 and £156.90 each week following the DWP's 3.1% uprating. The benefit is paid every four weeks so this amounts to between £97.80 and £627.60 every payment period.
The new data also indicates a significant increase in the number of people claiming for psychiatric disorders, which includes autism spectrum disorders, mood disorders and learning disorders. - January saw the UK-wide number of claimants for these types of conditions rise by 33,160 to 1,045,503.
Musculoskeletal conditions, such as arthritis, joint pain and hip disorders increase by 23,465 to 932,577 over the four-month period.
The DWP also confirmed that during the period between October 2021 and January 2022, there were:
- 170,000 registrations for new claims
- 23,000 reported changes of circumstance
- 19,000 registrations for Disability Living Allowance (DLA) reassessments
- 130,000 planned award review registrations
- 75,000 Manual Reconsideration registrations
PIP is designed to help people living with a long-term illness, mental health condition or physical or learning disability, however, many people are put off claiming this essential benefit, wrongly assuming that they are not eligible.
PIP is being replaced in Scotland by the Adult Disability Payment, which will follow the same eligibility criteria, but will take a more people-centred approach.
The first rollout began on March 21 - find out more here.
Assessment award rates vary by disabling condition and a PIP claimant’s main disabling condition is recorded during their assessment in over 99% of cases, reports the DWP.
Total number of categories:
- Disability category - 21 (including unknown or missing)
- Disability Sub Group - 178
- Disability - 547
Of those claims that have had an assessment under normal rules, 81% of new claims and 88% of DLA reassessment claims are recorded as having one of the five most common disabling conditions.
These are:
- Psychiatric disorders - 1,045,503 claimants
- Musculoskeletal disease (general) - 587,148 claimants
- Musculoskeletal disease (regional) - 345,429 claimants
- Neurological disease - 376,249 claimants
- Respiratory disease - 128,316 claimants
Disabling conditions and number of claimants across the UK - January 2022
These are the main disability categories, the umbrella term by which a total of 547 other conditions fall under.
This list is only an overview of conditions, disorders and diseases and how the DWP lists the main disabilities being claimed for.
- Haematological Disease - 6,522
- Infectious disease - 6,649
- Malignant disease - 86,119
- Metabolic disease - 4,330
- Psychiatric disorders - 1,045,503
- Neurological disease - 376,249
- Visual disease - 53,684
- Hearing disorders - 30,801
- Cardiovascular disease - 72,911
- Gastrointestinal disease - 24,343
- Diseases of the liver, gallbladder, biliary tract - 10,001
- Skin disease - 19,049
- Musculoskeletal disease (general) - 587,148
- Musculoskeletal disease (regional) - 345,429
- Autoimmune disease (connective tissue disorders) - 16,230
- Genitourinary disease - 21,073
- Endocrine disease - 39,692
- Respiratory disease - 128,316
- Multisystem and extremes of age - 1,024
- Diseases of the immune system - 907
Below is a simplified guide to the terminology used by the DWP with an explanation of the elements involved in a claim including components, rates and how the application is scored, which in turn determines the level of award a person receives.
If you’re in Scotland, find out more about Adult Disability Payment here.
Below is our quick guide to PIP including what it is, who is eligible, how much you could get each week and how you are assessed.
We also have a dedicated section on the Daily Record website which offers help in understanding the process from start to finish and includes questions on the form, what happens during an assessment and a comprehensive breakdown of the questions you will need to answer - these and more can be found here.
What is PIP?
PIP is a benefit which is gradually replacing Disability Living Allowance (DLA).
If you need extra help because of an illness, disability or mental health condition you could be eligible for PIP.
You will be assessed by a health professional to work out the level of help you can get and your rate will be reviewed to make sure you are getting the right support.
Who is eligible for PIP?
To be eligible for PIP, you must have a health condition or disability where you:
have had difficulties with daily living or getting around (or both) for 3 months
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.
In addition to what we have outlined above if you get or need help with any of the following because of your condition, you should consider applying for PIP - or Adult Disability Payment, depending on where you live.
- 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
- moving around outside the home
There are different rules if you are terminally ill, you will find these on the GOV.UK website here.
The DWP will assess how difficult you find daily living and mobility tasks. For each task they will look at:
- whether you can do it safely
- how long it takes you
- how often your condition affects this activity
- whether you need help to do it, from a person or using extra equipment
How is PIP paid?
PIP is usually paid every four weeks unless you are terminally ill, in which case it is paid weekly.
PIP will be paid directly into your bank, building society or credit union account.
Adult Disability Payment will be paid at the same rates as PIP.
What are the PIP payment rates?
You will need an assessment to work out the level of financial help you will receive and your rate will be regularly reviewed to make sure you are getting the right support.
Payment rates increased by 3.1% on April 11.
PIP is made up of two components:
Daily living
Mobility
Whether you get one or both of these and how much depends on how severely your condition affects you.
You will be paid the following amounts per week depending on your circumstances:
Daily living
Standard rate: £61.85
Enhanced rate: £92.40
Mobility
Standard rate: £24.45
Enhanced rate: £64.50
How you are assessed
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 that there is no choice here, it's up to the health professional and DWP.
Adult Disability Payment assessments will not involve face-to-face assessments, unless this is preferred by the claimant - find out more about the changes here.
You can find out more about DWP PIP assessments here.
How do you make a claim for PIP?
You can make a new claim by contacting the DWP, you will find all the information you need to apply on the GOV.UK website here.
Before you call, you will need:
your contact details
your date of birth
your National Insurance number - this is on letters about tax, pensions and benefits
your bank or building society account number and sort code
your doctor or health worker’s name, address and telephone number
dates and addresses for any time you’ve spent abroad, in a care home or hospital
Once you have contacted the DWP, they will send you a document to complete which consists of 14 questions. This includes space for any additional information you feel is relevant to your claim.
The questions focus on how your condition affects you, so put as much detail in as you can to help the assessor understand your physical or mental health needs.
If you have difficulty filling in your form or understanding the questions, contact your local council and ask for help or Citizens Advice Scotland.
We have a breakdown of all 14 questions here and you can take an anonymous self-test online at Benefits and Work to see how many points you would be awarded for each response.
There is also an online PIP toolkit with examples of all the questions to help you answer fully with the most relevant information, find out more about this here.
Even if you don't qualify for financial support, you could be eligible for a National Entitlement Travel Card, which offers free or reduced travel across Scotland on most public transport links.
For more information about PIP, visit GOV.UK here.
To keep up to date with the latest PIP and Adult Disability Payment news, join our Money Saving Scotland Facebook group here, follow Record Money on Twitter here, or subscribe to our twice weekly newsletter here.
