Some 3.8 million people across England and Wales are claiming Personal Independence Payment (PIP) while some 484,055 Scots are in receipt of Adult Disability Payment (ADP)
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has revealed that as of the end of July, approximately 186,000 individuals on Personal Independence Payment (PIP) had their claims reviewed.
This figure includes 150,000 award reviews and 36,000 changes in circumstances. According to DWP data, 88 per cent of these changes resulted in either an increase or no change to the claimant’s award level.
Over 3.8 million people across England and Wales are currently claiming PIP, while around 484,055 Scots receive Adult Disability Payment (ADP), which has replaced PIP for new and existing claimants in Scotland.
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However, many individuals not receiving the maximum PIP or ADP may be unaware that if their condition has worsened and they require more assistance with daily living tasks or mobility needs, they could potentially increase their monthly payments.
Both PIP and ADP are designed to assist those with a disability, long-term illness or physical or mental health condition with additional daily living or mobility costs, reports the Daily Record.
A successful claim for PIP or ADP can yield between £29.20 and £187.45 each week – equating to £116.80 or £749.80 every four-week pay period.
The significant discrepancy between the payments is due to the various combinations of the daily living and mobility component rates that a claimant could receive.
One could be granted the highest rate of both components and receive the maximum, £749.80 every four-week pay period, or the standard rate of both, £412.40.
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Similarly, one may only be entitled to the standard rate of the daily living component – £73.90 per week, £295.60 every four weeks or the standard rate of the mobility component – £29.20 per week, £116.80 every four weeks.
An individual on the standard rate of the mobility component (£116.80 every four weeks), with a change in their circumstances, such as a worsening condition or additional health issues, could potentially receive the higher rates of both the daily living and mobility components.
This would result in payments of £749.80 every four weeks, an increase of £633. Boosting payments from the standard rate to the higher, could elevate annual income to £9,747.40 over 2025/26.
In another scenario, someone currently receiving the standard rate of both components (£412.40 per four-week pay period) who reports a change and is awarded the higher rate of both the daily living and mobility components (£749.80), would gain an extra £337.40 each month, some £4,386 over the current financial year.
It’s crucial to understand that reporting a change in circumstances to DWP or Social Security Scotland does not guarantee an increase in award. Each case is unique and no single condition affects two people in the same way.
PIP and ADP payment rates
PIP and ADP are paid at varying amounts per week, depending on your circumstances:
Daily living
- Standard rate: £73.90
- Enhanced rate: £110.40
Mobility
- Standard rate: £29.20
- Enhanced rate: £77.05
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Reporting a change – PIP
It’s crucial to understand that the PIP new claim and review process awards are based on how your condition, long-term illness or disability affects you – not the actual condition itself. This distinction is made clear in the current edition of the online PIP Handbook by the DWP.
The guidance on GOV.UK explains: “As the assessment principles consider the impact of a claimant’s condition on their ability to live independently and not the condition itself, claimants with the same condition may get different outcomes. The outcome is based on an independent assessment and all available evidence.”
Before contacting the DWP to report a change in your circumstances, it’s important to be aware that depending on the change, your PIP could increase, decrease, remain the same or stop.
Guidance on GOV.UK states you should contact the PIP if:
- you need more or less help with daily living and mobility tasks
- your health professional tells you your condition will last for a longer or shorter time compared when you reported before
- your condition has gotten worse and you’re not expected to live more than 12 months
How to report a change
You can call the ‘PIP enquiry line’ on 0800 121 4433, lines are open Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm. Full guidance on reporting a change can be found on GOV.UK here.
Reporting a change – Adult Disability Payment
Full details on how to report a change in your circumstances if you are claiming ADP can be found here.
Word of caution
Before making any request, it’s crucial to seek independent advice from organisations like the Citizens Advice Network. While an award review could result in an increase in payments, it could also see them reduced or even stopped. Find out more here.
