The latest statistics from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) show that at the end of January 2023, there were 3.25million people across Great Britain claiming Personal Independence Payment (PIP), including over 319,000 living in Scotland. The Scottish figure will decrease over the coming months as more existing claimants are transferred to Adult Disability Payment (ADP).
The new devolved disability benefit replaced new claims for PIP in Scotland last summer along with a phased migration from DWP to the Social Security Scotland welfare system, which is expected to be completed by the end of 2025. 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 £691.00 every payment period.
More than 540 health conditions are being supported by PIP or ADP, but the list is not definitive and contains an 'unknown' category.
It's important to understand that, according to DWP guidance, entitlement to PIP is not based on an individual’s health condition or disability alone, but on how much a long-term health condition or disability impacts an individual’s daily life or mobility.
Conditions are classed under a main disabling condition, often using the official medical term, which may mean some people are unaware of the additional support available to help with the extra costs of a particular condition.
For example, people with breathing difficulties may be unaware that conditions in this category - such as Bronchiectasis, Cystic Fibrosis, Empyema and Asthma - fall under the main disabling category of ‘respiratory disease’.
PIP breakdown for respiratory conditions - January 2023
Across Great Britain, more than 136,700 people over 16 and under State Pension age are claiming PIP or ADP for respiratory conditions, including some 16,488 living in Scotland.
- Scotland: 16,488
- England: 111,057
- Wales: 9,211
- Great Britain total: 136,757
Some 35 per cent of all claims with entitlement to PIP at the end of January 2023 are in receipt of the highest level of award. An award for PIP or ADP can also lead to additional support for housing costs, Council Tax, other benefits and reduced travel on public transport.
Respiratory conditions
This is the list of 24 respiratory conditions being supported through PIP to help with either daily living, mobility needs or a combination of both components.
Assessment award rates vary by disabling condition and a PIP claimant’s main disabling condition is recorded during their assessment in over 99 per cent of cases, reports the DWP.
Diseases of the upper respiratory tract
- Sleep apnoea - obstructive
- Upper respiratory tract - Other diseases of / type not known
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
- Chronic bronchitis
- Emphysema
Bronchiectasis
Cystic Fibrosis
Asthma
Pulmonary fibrosis
- Extrinsic allergic alveolitis
- Fibrosing alveolitis
- Pulmonary fibrosis - Other / type not known
Pneumoconiosis
- Asbestosis
- Pneumoconiosis - coalworkers
- Pneumoconiosis - Other / type not known
- Silicosis
Granulomatous lung disease and pulmonary infiltration
- Granulomatous lung disease and pulmonary infiltration - Other / type not known
- Sarcoidosis
Disease of the pleura
- Empyema
- Pleura - Other diseases of / type not known
- Pleural effusion
- Pneumothorax
Lung transplantation
Heart and lung transplantation
Pulmonary embolus
Pneumonia
Lower respiratory tract - Other diseases of / type not known
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.
Below is a quick overview of PIP and ADP, to help you understand the eligibility criteria, claims process and payment rates. If you have any of the conditions listed above and are over State Pension age (66), you may be eligible for Attendance Allowance - find out more here.
What is PIP?
PIP is a benefit which started to replace Disability Living Allowance in 2013. If you need extra help because of an illness, disability or mental health condition, you could be eligible for PIP, or ADP if you live in Scotland.
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 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.
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