Personal Independence Payments (PIP) offer vital financial support to individuals living with disabilities or long-term health conditions, providing up to several hundred pounds each week. The latest figures from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) have shed light on the primary health conditions associated with PIP claims, with psychiatric disorders emerging as the most commonly cited.
As of April 2026, over four million people were receiving PIP, with more than 1.5 million claimants listing a psychiatric disorder as their primary disabling condition. This represents an increase of approximately one million claimants from May 2025, underscoring the growing prevalence of mental health conditions among those seeking assistance through PIP.
Within the psychiatric disorder category, 20 specific conditions are recognised for PIP claims. The number of successful claims varies considerably between these conditions, with some having fewer than 50 claims, while others approach half a million.
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It is important to note that PIP is not means-tested and a diagnosis alone does not guarantee eligibility. To qualify, a claimant’s condition must have a substantial impact on their daily living or mobility. In some cases, individuals may be eligible even without a formal diagnosis if the difficulties they experience are significant enough.
PIP is divided into two components: the daily living element and the mobility element. Claimants may receive support from one or both elements depending on their needs. Each element has two payment rates:
- Standard rate
- Enhanced rate
The maximum weekly amount available is £191.30, though not all claimants receive this full amount. Depending on the severity of their condition, some individuals may receive over £700 per month if entitled to both enhanced rates.
Eligibility criteria include being aged over 16 but below the state pension age for new claimants, and the expectation that the condition will persist for at least 12 months from the onset of difficulties.
These updated figures highlight the growing recognition of mental health conditions within the social security system and the critical role PIP plays in supporting affected individuals.