The DWP's 70 neurological conditions which could qualify people for hundreds in benefits

Millions of people could receive hundreds of pounds in additional benefits if they suffer from one of 70 neurological conditions. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) gives out a number of benefits to those with certain disabilities.

They include personal independence payments (PIP) and attendance allowance. The payments are given to those with a long-term illness, mental health condition or physical or learning disability, or who have a condition that affects there ability to work.

The conditions range from things such as cerebral palsy, head and spine injuries, epilepsy among others. Around 70 neurological conditions could see people qualified. Here is how much money people could receive if they qualify as well as the conditions affected: To get the latest money stories straight to your inbox twice a week sign up to our newsletter here.

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How much is PIP and attendance allowance?

PIP rates increased on April 8 this year in line with inflation which saw them increased by 6.7% for 2024/2025. Here are the rates for 2024/25, though you should note that the money is given monthly unless you are terminally ill, in which case it is paid weekly.

Daily living component

Enhanced: £108.55 (from £101.75)

Standard: £72.65 (from 68.10)

Mobility component

Enhanced:£75.75 (from £71.05)

Standard: £28.70 (from £26.90)

Therefore, someone getting the standard daily and mobility component would receive £95.05 a week or £380.20 a month. Someone receiving the enhanced daily and mobility components would get £172.80 a week, or £691.20 a month. You can read more about PIP here.

Another benefit which could be claimed is attendance allowance. This helps with extra costs if you have a disability which is bad enough that you need someone to look after you. There are two different rates and how much you get depends on the level of care that you need.

It doesn't include mobility needs but the other benefits you get can increase if you get attendance allowance. Attendance allowance is not means-tested - what you earn or how much you have in savings will not affect what you get.

The lower rate is given if you have frequent help or constant supervision during the day, or supervision at night. The higher rate is given if you have help or supervision throughout both day and night, or a medical professional has said you might have 12 months or less to live. You can find out more about attendance allowance here.

Both the lower and higher rates increased on April 8 for 2024/25 and are as follows:

• Higher rate: £108.55 (from £101.75)

• Lower rate: £72.65 (up from £68.10)

What neurological conditions qualify for the money?

This is the list of 70 neurological conditions being supported through PIP or attendance allowance. A claimant’s main disabling or medical condition is recorded during their assessment and the categories and groupings are based on DWP data. If your condition is not listed, it may be classed as 'unknown.'

Cerebrovascular disease

• Cerebrovascular accident (stroke)

• Cerebrovascular disease - Other / type not known

• Transient ischaemic attacks (TIAs/mini stroke)

Epilepsy

• Cataplexy

• Generalised seizures (with status epilepticus in last 12 months)

• Generalised seizures (without status epilepticus in last 12 months)

• Narcolepsy

• Partial seizures (with status epilepticus in last 12 months)

• Partial seizures (without status epilepticus in last 12 months)

• Seizures - unclassified

Non epileptic disturbance of consciousness

• Disturbances of consciousness - Non-epileptic - Other / type not known

• Drop attacks

• Non epileptic Attack disorder (pseudoseizures)

• Stokes Adams attacks (cardiovascular syncope)

• Syncope - Other / type not known

Movement disorders

• Blepharospasm

• Essential tremor - benign

• Huntington's disease

• Movement disorders - Other / type not known

• Parkinson's disease

• Parkinson's syndrome / Parkinsonism

• Torticollis

• Tourette's syndrome

• Writer's cramp

Multiple sclerosis

Benign tumours

• Neurofibromatosis

• Tumours - benign - Other / type not known

Hydrocephalus

Headache

• Dizziness - cause not specified

• Headache - Other causes of / cause not known

• Migraine

Head injury

• Head injury - Cognitive and sensorimotor impairment

• Head injury - Cognitive impairment

• Head injury - Sensorimotor impairment

Spinal cord compression

• Paraplegia (traumatic)

• Spinal cord compression - Other causes of / cause not known

• Syringomyelia / Syringobulbia

• Tetraplegia (traumatic)

Degenerative neuronal diseases

• Degenerative neuronal diseases - Other / type not known

• Motor neurone disease

Cerebral palsy

• Cerebral palsy - Ataxic

• Cerebral palsy - Athetoid

• Cerebral palsy - Diplegic

• Cerebral palsy - Hemiplegic

• Cerebral palsy - Other / type not known

• Cerebral palsy - Quadriplegic

Spina bifida

Ataxia

• Ataxia - Friedrich's

• Ataxias - Other / type not known

Neuropathy

• Charcot Marie Tooth disease

• Diabetic neuropathy

• Guillain Barre syndrome

• Neuropathies - Other / type not known including peripheral

Peripheral nerve injury

• Brachial plexus

• Peripheral nerve injury - Other / type not known

Disease of muscle

• Dermatomyositis

• Dystrophia myotonica

• Muscle - Other diseases of / type not known

• Myasthenia gravis

• Polymyositis

Muscular dystrophy

• Facioscapulohumeral dystrophy

• Muscular dystrophy - Becker type

• Muscular dystrophy - Duchenne

• Muscular dystrophy - limb girdle

• Muscular dystrophy - Other / type not known

Infections

• Creutzfeldt - Jacob disease (CJD)

• Infections - Other

• Poliomyelitis and post polio syndrome

• Prion diseases - Other / type not known

Other neurological disorders

• Neurological disorders - Other / type not known

How do I apply for PIP or attendance allowance?

You can make a new PIP claim by contacting the DWP 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

You can apply for attendance allowance using the helpline or via a form which is available here. For money-saving tips, sign up to our Money newsletter here