Five health conditions that could give DWP PIP applicants £737 a month

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has released new figures showing that over 3.5 million people across Great Britain are now claiming Personal Independence Payment (PIP). However, these record-breaking statistics do not account for those in Scotland who have transitioned from PIP to Adult Disability Payment (ADP).

According to the DWP, 172,954 Scots continue to receive PIP, while data from Social Security Scotland shows that 254,365 individuals are receiving ADP. The shift from PIP to the devolved payment is still underway and is expected to be finalised by the end of next year. The DWP's data also reveals that 250,000 new PIP claims were lodged in England and Wales in the three months leading up to April - marking the highest level of applications since the benefit was launched in 2013. Just over a third (36%) of cases received the maximum award, which ranges between £114.80 and £737.20 per four-week payment period, reports the Daily Record.

PIP or ADP supports more than 500 health conditions, although the list is not exhaustive and includes an 'unknown' category. Here are the five most frequently recorded PIP health conditions as of the end of April, 2024:

1. Psychiatric disorder: 1,347,889 claimants (37%)

This encompasses mixed anxiety, stress, depressive and mood disorders, OCD and cognitive disorders.

2. Musculoskeletal disease (general): 672,201 claimants (20%)

This includes muscle or joint pain and arthritic conditions.

3. Neurological disease

A total of 465,187 claimants (13%) suffer from neurological diseases, including muscular dystrophy, epilepsy, headache, multiple sclerosis, neuropathy and other movement disorders.

4. Musculoskeletal disease (regional)

This issue affects 416,878 claimants