The DWP has confirmed that Personal Independence Payment (PIP) will continue to rise in line with September’s inflation rate, with the relevant figures expected in mid-October
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has recently announced that plans to reform the Personal Independence Payment (PIP) have been put on hold until a review into the current assessment process is completed, expected by next Autumn. It’s also been confirmed that the disability benefit will continue to rise each year in line with the September inflation rate.
This is set to be published in mid-October with the benefit uprating confirmed at the Autumn Budget. The latest figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) show that the Consumer Prices Index (CPI) inflation rate for July was 3.8 per cent.
If the CPI inflation rate remained at 3.8 per cent, individuals receiving the highest awards for the daily living and mobility components of PIP would see their payments increase from £749.80 every four-week payment period to £778.20, a boost of £28.40.
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PIP or ADP is currently valued between £29.20 and £187.45 each week, equating to £116.80 or £749.80 every four-week pay period. The Daily Record reports that an uprating of 3.8 per cent would result in payments worth between £30.30 and £194.55 every week, or £121.20 and £778.20 every four-week payment period.
It’s crucial to note that the ONS still needs to announce two more CPI inflation rates (for August and September) before we can definitively know how much PIP, Attendance Allowance, and Disability Living Allowance will increase from April 2026.
Understanding the impact of CPI inflation rates now can help demystify the annual uprating process ahead of the Autumn Budget.
Predicted PIP payment rates for 2026/27
Under a 3.4 per cent CPI uprating, PIP would be paid at the following weekly amounts:
Daily living
- Standard rate: £73.90 (£76.70)
- Enhanced rate: £110.40 (£114.60)
Mobility
- Standard rate: £29.20 (£30.30)
- Enhanced rate: £77.05 (£79.95)
The next ONS CPI inflation rate is set to be published on September 17.
Latest figures from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) reveal that more than 3.7 million people across Great Britain are currently receiving additional financial support through PIP. Meanwhile, data from Social Security Scotland shows that over 476,200 people are now receiving Adult Disability Payment (ADP), the devolved benefit which has replaced PIP in Scotland.
Many may not realise that both PIP and ADP can provide support for over 500 health conditions, aiding individuals with daily living tasks, mobility, or both. However, it’s not useful to list all 536 conditions recorded by DWP during the PIP application process. This is because an award for the disability benefit is determined by how a person’s health condition affects their ability to perform daily living tasks such as cooking, washing, eating, dressing and interacting with others in a safe and timely manner.
There are also awards available to assist those who have difficulty moving around. This means that every claim for PIP or ADP is unique to each applicant, which could potentially aid individuals considering making a new claim to initiate the process.
Here’s a comprehensive overview of PIP and ADP, including the five most-claimed conditions and the main disabling conditions, as categorised by the DWP. PIP cannot be backdated, but payments commence from the date the claim was lodged, to account for the processing time at the DWP.
The total number of categories, as recorded by the DWP:
- Disability category – 21
- Disability Sub Group – 178
- Disability – 536
Five most-claimed PIP health conditions:
The five most frequently recorded disabling conditions for claims under normal rules are:
- Psychiatric disorder – 39 per cent of claims
- Musculoskeletal disease (general) – 19 per cent of claims
- Neurological disease – 13 per cent of claims
- Musculoskeletal disease (regional) – 12 per cent of claims
- Respiratory disease – 4 per cent of claims
PIP and ADP can offer weekly financial support to individuals with additional costs due to a disability, long-term illness, or physical or mental health condition. Many people may not realise that PIP and ADP can provide support for hundreds of health conditions. Both benefits could assist people with daily living tasks or mobility, or both.
Disabling conditions recorded by the DWP:
These are the primary disability categories, the umbrella term under which more than 530 other conditions fall. This list is merely 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, and 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
Even though new claims for PIP have been replaced in Scotland by ADP, it shares most of the same eligibility criteria. Comprehensive guidance on ADP can be found on the MYGOV.SCOT website here.
Who could qualify for PIP or ADP?
To be considered for PIP or ADP, you must have a health condition or disability where you:
- Have experienced difficulties with everyday living or mobility (or both) for three months.
- Anticipate that these challenges will persist for a minimum of nine months.
You also typically need to have resided in the UK for at least two of the past three years and be in the country when you apply.
In addition to what has been detailed above, if you receive or require assistance with any of the following due to your condition, you should contemplate applying for PIP or ADP:
- Preparing, cooking or eating food
- Managing medication
- Washing, bathing or using the toilet
- Dressing and undressing
- Engaging and communicating with others
- Reading and understanding written information
- Making decisions about money
- Planning a journey or following a route
- Moving around
There are separate rules if you are terminally ill, which can be found on the GOV.UK website here. DWP or Social Security Scotland will evaluate how challenging you find daily living and mobility tasks. For each task, they will examine:
- Whether or not you can do it safely
- How long does the task take you
- How often does your condition impact this activity
- Whether you need help to do it, from a person or using extra equipment
How are PIP and ADP disbursed?
PIP and ADP are generally paid every four weeks unless you are terminally ill, in which case it is paid weekly. It will be directly deposited into your bank, building society or credit union account. ADP is paid at the same rates as PIP.
PIP and ADP payment rates:
An assessment is required to determine the level of financial aid you will receive, and your rate will be regularly reviewed to ensure you are receiving the appropriate support. Payments are made every four weeks.
PIP consists of two components:
Whether you’re eligible for one or both of these benefits, and the amount you receive, depends on how severely your condition affects you. For the weekly rates, refer to the guide mentioned earlier in this article.
The assessment process:
An independent healthcare professional will assess you 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 available, as well as video calls, telephone assessments, and paper-based assessments. It’s crucial to understand that the health professional and DWP decide which type of assessment is most suitable for each claimant. Adult Disability Payment assessments won’t involve face-to-face assessments unless the claimant prefers this.
How do you apply for PIP?
You can initiate a new claim by contacting the DWP, all the information you need to apply can be found on the GOV.UK website here.
Before you call, ensure you have:.
- Your contact details.
- Your date of birth.
- Your National Insurance number – this can be found 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 in Scotland:
Individuals in Scotland can apply for ADP via phone, post or in person. For more information or to apply, visit the specific pages on mygov.scot here or ring Social Security Scotland on 0800 182 2222.
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