Eight most common reasons people could be missing out on PIP payments of up to £737 each month

Personal Independence Payment (PIP) is a benefit designed to help people over the age of 16 and under State Pension age with the extra daily costs of living for more than 500 health issues or disabling conditions, which may be physical, sensory, mental, intellectual or cognitive, or any combination of these.

The latest figures from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) show there are now 3.5 million people claiming PIP, however, the record-breaking statistics do not include people in Scotland who have moved from PIP to Adult Disability Payment (ADP). Some 218,859 Scots are still receiving PIP from the DWP and figures from Social Security Scotland show there are now 192,575 people receiving ADP.

Many people are put off claiming PIP and ADP or other benefits for a number of reasons including stigma, believing they will not qualify and hearing horror stories about the application or assessment process. Put simply, if you have a health condition and need help with everyday tasks or have mobility issues - you could be missing out on up to £737 in extra support every month.

PIP and ADP myths that put people off making a claim

Below is a list of the most common PIP myths that may be stopping people making a claim and a quick guide to making an application for PIP or ADP.

Myth: PIP or ADP will not be paid to people who are working

• PIP and ADP can be claimed by people who are in or out of full or part-time work. You also do not need to have paid National Insurance contributions to qualify.

Myth: Working will affect the amount of PIP or ADP you receive or stop payments completely

• PIP and ADP are not means-tested or taxable and are not affected by income gained from employment.

Myth: People with savings cannot claim PIP or ADP

• PIP and ADP are not affected by savings, however large or small.

Myth: The eligibility criteria for PIP and ADP is the same as Disability Living Allowance

• PIP and ADP have different eligibility criteria and are not based on the health condition or disability someone has. Claims are assessed based on how that condition or disability affects someone’s ability to safely carry out day-to-day living tasks such as cooking, washing and communicating or moving around.

Myth: PIP and ADP are only for people with physical disabilities

• This is wrongly assumed by many people, but the most common reason for a claim is for support with a ‘hidden’ disability. There are hundreds of thousands of people across the UK receiving financial support to help them cope with a mental health condition, including stress, anxiety and depression.

Myth: PIP or ADP claims will not be considered for three months

• If you want to claim PIP or ADP for the first time there is a three month qualifying period (this is the period during which you have had a health condition or disability) and the needs arising from your condition or disability must be expected to last for a further nine months. The qualifying period starts from when your eligible needs arise and not from when you make a claim.

Myth: PIP and ADP claims take months to process

• New PIP claims are currently taking on average 13 weeks to process while ADP is taking up to 15 weeks, but in both cases, it can take longer.

Myth: There will be a break in payments between moving from DLA to PIP or ADP

• There are no breaks in payment and the award letter will explain what payments you will receive and when.

Five most commonly recorded PIP health conditions

These are the main disabling conditions recorded by the DWP at the end of January, 2024.

One in three (36%) of all claims with entitlement to PIP at the end of January 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.

Disabling conditions recorded by DWP

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

• Infectious disease

• Malignant disease

• Metabolic disease

• Psychiatric disorders

• Neurological disease

• Visual disease

• Hearing disorders

• Cardiovascular disease

• Gastrointestinal disease

• Diseases of the liver, gallbladder, biliary tract

• Skin disease

• Musculoskeletal disease (general)

• Musculoskeletal disease (regional)

• Autoimmune disease (connective tissue disorders)

• Genitourinary disease

• Endocrine disease

• Respiratory disease

• Multisystem and extremes of age

• Diseases of the immune system

• Unknown or missing

• Total number of PIP claimants - 3,494,076

Below is an overview of PIP and ADP. 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 here.

Who might be 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.

PIP and ADP payment rates 2024/25

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. Payments are made every four weeks.

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: £72.65

• Enhanced rate: £108.55

Mobility

• Standard rate: £28.70

• Enhanced rate: £75.75

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 the health professional and DWP determine which type of assessment is best suited for each claimant. 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

How to apply for ADP

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.

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