New PIP update for people making a first-time claim for up to £737 each month

New figures published by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) show that at the end of July there were 3.6 million people across Scotland, England and Wales in receipt of Personal Independence Payment (PIP). That figure includes nearly 126,300 existing claimants living in Scotland who are due to transfer to Adult Disability Payment (ADP) before the end of next year.

The latest data contains key information for people with a long-term illness, disability, mental or physical health condition considering making a new claim for the additional financial support, worth between £28.70 and £184.30 each week. Some 37 percent of all PIP claimants with entitlement receive the enhanced payment rates for both the daily living and mobility components.

It’s also worth noting that new PIP claims are being processed from the point of application to an award decision letter within 15 weeks. This means people making a new claim this month could receive an outcome before the end of the year, but complex cases may take longer.

READ MORE: PIP conditions most-likely to be given payments of up to £737 each month for five years or more

READ MORE: Former DWP employee shares insider tips on how to protect PIP and other disability benefit payments

Some 79 per cent of successful new claims made between April and July received a short-term award of up to two years, 13 per cent received an award for over two years and 7 per cent were given an ongoing award, which is typically over five years.

Number of PIP claimants - July 2024

The total number of people claiming PIP includes:

• Scotland - 126,295 (314,495 on Adult Disability Payment)

• England and Wales - 3,474,983

• Living Abroad - 2,232

• Total - 3,606,058

Five most commonly recorded PIP health conditions

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

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 more than 530 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

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.

Payment awards are worth between £28.70 and £184.30 each week, which amounts to between £114.80 and £737.20 every four-week pay period.

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.

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 that 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 for 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.