How long PIP payments really last and people most-likely to get a 'light touch' award
Nobody on PIP is given a lifetime payment award from the DWP.
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is pushing ahead with proposed plans to reform Personal Independence Payment (PIP), specifically introducing a change to the eligibility rules that will come into force in November 2026 for new and existing claimants.
DWP also said existing claimants will only be affected by the change at their next review, after the November implementation date. The latest data shows more than 1.6 million (44%) of all 3.7m PIP claimants have been issued with an award of five years or longer.
The data indicates at the end of April, some 1,610,698 people in England, Wales and living abroad, have an ongoing award for a disability, long-term illness, or physical or mental health condition.
Some 65 per cent of people claiming PIP for a visual disease have been issued with an award for five years or more while more than half of all claimants with general musculoskeletal conditions (50.8%) such as arthritis, muscle or joint pain, have been given a longer award, along with 49.5 per cent of people with a neurological condition such as epilepsy, multiple sclerosis and muscular dystrophy.
For people thinking about making a new claim for PIP, or Adult Disability Payment (ADP), it's important to be aware award lengths cary and can last between nine months and up to 10 years, however, DWP data only records awards given up to 'five years or longer'.
The current edition of the PIP Handbook explains the decision maker will make an award of PIP based on the impact of the claimant's health condition or disability on their daily life and their ability to live independently. It adds: 'The length of award will be based upon each claimant's individual circumstances.'
It's important to be aware the guidance from the DWP also says most claimants will have their award regularly reviewed, 'regardless of the length of the award' in order to make sure 'everyone continues to receive the most appropriate level of support'.
Some claimants will be given a limited term award for a fixed period of up to two years - DWP says these awards will not be reviewed. Limited awards with no review date are given where the claimant's health condition may be reasonably expected to improve.
Ongoing awards with a 'light touch' review
A 'light touch' review is typically awarded to claimants who have:
very stable needs which are unlikely to change over time
high level needs which will either stay the same or get worse
a planned award review date due on or at State Pension age
a special rules for end of life claim due when of State Pension age
The DWP guidance states: 'These claimants would not usually be expected to have a face-to-face assessment at review.'
A successful claim for PIP is worth between £29.20 and £187.45 each week during the 2025/26 financial year - some £116.80 or £749.80 every four-week pay period.
Over the coming year, this will see people on the highest awards receive £9,747 in extra cash help.
It's important to be aware the maximum amount of £749.80 is based on someone in receipt of the highest award for both the daily living and mobility components.
Six conditions with PIP award of five years or longer
It's important to be aware people with different health conditions can be awarded PIP for up to five years or longer. The award is based on how the condition affects the claimant.
The conditions listed below have the highest percentage rate of five-year or longer awards given to claimants at the end of April 2025.
Visual disease
58,960
38,112
Musculoskeletal disease (general)
707,084
365,238
52%
Neurological disease
476,659
252,214
Respiratory disease
138,428
66,647
Autoimmune disease (connective tissue disorders)
20,198
9,310
Musculoskeletal disease (regional)
447,794
202.317
46%
Total number of PIP claimants
3,744,671
1,631,688
44%
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.
eating, drinking or preparing food
washing, bathing, using the toilet, managing incontinence
dressing and undressing
talking, listening, reading and understanding
managing your medicines or treatments
making decisions about money
mixing with other people
working out a route and following it
physically moving around
leaving your home
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
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: £73.90
Enhanced: £110.40
Mobility
Standard: £29.20
Enhanced: £77.05
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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Some 65 per cent of people claiming PIP for a visual disease have been issued with an award for five years or more while more than half of all claimants with general musculoskeletal conditions (50.8%) such as arthritis, muscle or joint pain, have been given a longer award, along with 49.5 per cent of people with a neurological condition such as epilepsy, multiple sclerosis and muscular dystrophy. For people thinking about making a new claim for PIP, or Adult Disability Payment (ADP), it's important to be aware award lengths cary and can last between nine months and up to 10 years, however, DWP data only records awards given up to 'five years or longer'. The current edition of the PIP Handbook explains the decision maker will make an award of PIP based on the impact of the claimant's health condition or disability on their daily life and their ability to live independently. It adds: 'The length of award will be based upon each claimant's individual circumstances.' It's important to be aware the guidance from the DWP also says most claimants will have their award regularly reviewed, 'regardless of the length of the award' in order to make sure 'everyone continues to receive the most appropriate level of support'. Some claimants will be given a limited term award for a fixed period of up to two years - DWP says these awards will not be reviewed. Limited awards with no review date are given where the claimant's health condition may be reasonably expected to improve. Ongoing awards with a 'light touch' review A 'light touch' review is typically awarded to claimants who have: very stable needs which are unlikely to change over time high level needs which will either stay the same or get worse a planned award review date due on or at State Pension age a special rules for end of life claim due when of State Pension age The DWP guidance states: 'These claimants would not usually be expected to have a face-to-face assessment at review.' 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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 website here. 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