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Daily Record

Lifestyle

Linda Howard

People with back or joint pain could be due up to £691 each month through PIP or ADP

DWP Disability Disease Social Security Scotland Arthritis Scotland GovUK Osteoarthritis Social Security

New figures from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) show that there are now more than one million adults across Great Britain receiving support through Personal Independence Payment (PIP) for more than 85 musculoskeletal conditions, including 88,768 living in Scotland.

Musculoskeletal conditions are injuries and disorders that affect the human body’s movement or musculoskeletal system such as muscles, tendons, ligaments, nerves, discs and blood vessels. Arthritis is a general term that refers to many of these different conditions, however, some common conditions include osteoarthritis, back pain, rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, osteoporosis, gout, polymyalgia rheumatica, lupus and ankylosing spondylitis.

If you are over 16 and under State Pension age, you may be able to claim PIP to help with a musculoskeletal condition, and if your ability to work is limited due to your symptoms you could be eligible for ‘new style’ Employment and Support Allowance (ESA).

The DWP figures also showed that by the end of April 2023, there were 3.3 million people across Great Britain claiming PIP, including almost 300,000 living in Scotland. The Scottish figure will continue to decrease over the coming months as more existing claimants are transferred to Adult Disability Payment (ADP).

Number of PIP claimants (April 2023)

Scotland: 298,427 (does not include case transfer or new claims of Adult Disability Payment)
England and Wales: 2,988,370
Abroad: 2,184
Total: 3,289,162

Even though PIP is being replaced in Scotland by Adult Disability Payment, it will follow the same eligibility criteria, but take a more ‘people-centric’ approach, according to Social Security Scotland.

A successful claim for PIP or ADP is worth between £26.90 and £172.75 each week in additional financial support and as the benefit is paid every four weeks, this amounts to between £107.60 and £691 every pay period.

PIP claimants with musculoskeletal conditions (April 2023)

The latest data also shows that over one million people are now receiving support through PIP for Musculoskeletal conditions.

Scotland: 88,768 (does not include case transfer or new claims of Adult Disability Payment)
England and Wales: 955,763
Living abroad: 1,006
Total: 1,045,586

This is the list of 87 musculoskeletal conditions being supported through PIP to help with either daily living, mobility needs or a combination of both components. It is not definitive, so if your condition does not appear, don't be put off claiming as an award for PIP or ADP is about how the condition affects you, not the condition itself.

Musculoskeletal conditions - general

Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis of Hip
Osteoarthritis of Knee
Osteoarthritis of other single joint
Primary generalised Osteoarthritis

Chronic pain syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS)
Fibromyalgia
Pain syndromes - Chronic - Other / type not known

Inflammatory arthritis

Ankylosing spondylitis
Arthritis - Psoriatic
Arthritis - Reactive
Inflammatory arthritis - Other / type not known
Juvenile chronic arthritis (Still's disease)
Rheumatoid arthritis

Crystal deposition disorders

Crystal deposition disorders - Other / type not known
Gout
Pseudogout

Osteonecrosis and osteochondritis

Osteochondritis
Osteonecrosis

Metabolic and endocrine disorders

Osteomalacia
Osteoporosis
Other metabolic and endocrine disorders of musculoskeletal system
Paget's disease
Rickets

Genetic disorders, dysplasias and malformations

Achondroplasia
Epiphyseal dysplasia - multiple
Genetic disorders, dysplasias and malformations - Other / type not known
Hereditary multiple exostosis (diaphyseal aclasis)
Hypermobility syndrome
Marfan's syndrome
Osteogenesis imperfecta

Benign tumours of bone

Tumours of bone - benign

Fracture complications

Compartment syndrome (Volkmann's ischaemia)
Fracture complications - Other / type not known
Sudek's atrophy

Other generalised musculoskeletal conditions

Generalised musculoskeletal disease - Other / type not known

Musculoskeletal conditions - regional

Shoulder disorders

Adhesive capsulitis (frozen shoulder)
Rotator cuff disorder
Shoulder disorders - Other / type not known
Shoulder instability

Elbow disorders

Elbow disorders - Other / type not known
Golfers elbow (medial epicondylitis)
Tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis)

Wrist and hand disorders

Carpal tunnel syndrome
Dupuytrens contracture
Tendon lesions
Tenosynovitis
Wrist and hand disorders - Other / type not known

Neck disorders

Cervical disc lesion
Cervical spondylosis
Neck disorders - Other / type not known
Whiplash injury

Non specific back pain

Back pain - Non specific (mechanical)

Specific back pain

Back pain - Specific - Other / type not known
Kyphosis
Lumbar disc lesion
Lumbar spondylosis (OA spine)
Schuermann's disease
Scoliosis
Spinal stenosis
Spondylolisthesis

Hip disorders

Dislocation of the hip - congenital
Hip disorders - Other / type not known
Perthes disease
Slipped upper femoral epiphysis

Knee disorders

Bursitis
Chondromalacia patellae
Knee disorders - Other / type not known
Ligamentous instability of knee
Meniscal lesions
Osgood schlatters disease
Osteochondritis dissecans
Patellar dislocation - Recurrent

Ankle and foot disorders

Ankle and foot disorders - Other / type not known
Club foot (talipes)
Fore foot pain (Metatarsalgia)
Hallux valgus /rigidus

Amputations

Amputation - Lower limb(s)
Amputation - Upper limb(s)
Amputations - Upper & Lower limb/s

Injuries/fracture/Dislocation

Abdomen - Injuries/Fracture/Dislocation of
Lower limb - Injuries/Fracture/Dislocation of
Multiple - Injuries/Fracture/Dislocation
Pelvis - Injuries/Fracture/Dislocation of
Spine - Injuries/Fracture/Dislocation of
Thorax - Injury/Fracture/Dislocation of
Upper limb - Injury/Fracture/Dislocation of

Other regional musculoskeletal disease

Musculoskeletal disease - Regional / Localised - Other / type not known

Below is an overview of PIP and ADP to help you decide if you, or someone you know should consider making a claim for PIP or ADP.

What is PIP?

PIP is a benefit which is gradually replacing DLA. If you need extra help because of an illness, disability or mental health condition you could be eligible for PIP. Even though PIP is being replaced in Scotland by ADP, it will follow the same eligibility criteria, but take a more ‘people-centric’ approach, according to Social Security Scotland.

Who is eligible for PIP or ADP?

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
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 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
moving around

There are different rules if you are terminally ill, you will find these on the GOV.UK website here.

DWP or Social Security Scotland 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 are PIP and ADP paid?

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.

What are the PIP and ADP 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.

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: £68.10
Enhanced rate: £101.75

Mobility

Standard rate: £26.90
Enhanced rate: £71.00

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, for PIP.

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. You can find out more about DWP PIP assessments here.

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.

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

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.

How to apply for Adult Disability Payment

People can apply ADP, over the phone, by post or in-person. To find out more or apply, visit the dedicated pages on mygov.scot here or call Social Security Scotland on 0800 182 2222.

To keep up to date with the latest PIP or ADP news, join our Money Saving Scotland Facebook page here, follow us on Twitter @Record_Money, or subscribe to our newsletter which goes out Monday to Friday - sign up here.