The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has put proposed changes to Personal Independence Payment (PIP) on hold. This pause is pending a comprehensive review of the benefit's eligibility and assessment process, which is being co-produced by the Minister for Social Security and Disability, Sir Stephen Timms, alongside disabled groups and charities. The review is anticipated to conclude by next Autumn.

PIP continues to be a vital support system in England and Wales, with the DWP reporting over 1,000 new awards issued daily. Latest figures indicate that more than 3.8 million claimants are currently receiving payments ranging from £29.20 to £187.45 per week. Significantly, over 1.5 million (39%) of these claimants have been granted awards lasting five years or longer. In Scotland, PIP has been replaced by Adult Disability Payment (ADP) for both new and existing claimants, though ADP largely shares the same eligibility criteria.

Longer-term awards are particularly prevalent among certain health conditions. Data from the end of July 2025 shows that more than 58% of PIP claimants with a visual disease receive monthly awards of up to £749 for five years or more. Similarly, over half (50.8%) of those with general musculoskeletal conditions, such as arthritis, muscle, or joint pain, have been given longer awards. Claimants with neurological conditions like epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, and muscular dystrophy also see a high rate of longer awards, at 49.5%. Other conditions with significant percentages of five-year or longer awards include respiratory diseases, autoimmune diseases (connective tissue disorders), and regional musculoskeletal diseases.

The length of a PIP award, which can range from nine months to 10 years (though DWP data only records 'five years or longer'), is determined by a decision maker based on the impact of a claimant's health condition or disability on their daily life and ability to live independently. While most awards are regularly reviewed to ensure ongoing appropriate support, limited term awards, given for a fixed period of up to two years when a health condition is reasonably expected to improve, are not subject to these regular reviews.

Certain claimants may receive an 'ongoing award with a light touch review'. This applies to individuals with very stable needs unlikely to change, high-level needs expected to remain the same or worsen, those with a planned award review date at State Pension age, or Special Rules for End of Life claims due at State Pension age. For these claimants, a face-to-face assessment is typically not expected at review.

To be eligible for PIP or ADP, an individual must have a health condition or disability that has caused difficulties with daily living or getting around (or both) for at least three months, with these difficulties expected to continue for at least nine months. Applicants typically need to have lived in the UK for at least two of the last three years and be present in the country when they apply. Conditions that might lead to eligibility include needing help with tasks such as eating, washing, dressing, communication, managing medicines, making financial decisions, social interaction, navigation, and physical movement.

The assessment process evaluates how difficult claimants find daily living and mobility tasks. For each task, the assessment considers safety, time taken, how often the condition affects the activity, and whether help is needed from a person or equipment. For PIP, an independent healthcare professional conducts assessments, which can be face-to-face, video calls, telephone, or paper-based, with the type determined by the health professional and DWP. In contrast, ADP assessments in Scotland do not involve face-to-face consultations unless specifically preferred by the claimant.

PIP and ADP payments are usually made every four weeks, or weekly for those who are terminally ill, directly into a bank, building society, or credit union account. The rates are identical for both benefits and are determined by an assessment of the level of financial help required. Payments are structured into two components: Daily Living and Mobility. The amount received depends on the severity of the condition's impact.

Current weekly payment rates are:

• Daily Living Component: Standard rate £73.90, Enhanced rate £110.40
• Mobility Component: Standard rate £29.20, Enhanced rate £77.05

The maximum award, combining the enhanced rates for both components, amounts to £187.45 per week, equivalent to £749.80 every four-week pay period, potentially providing up to £9,747 in extra financial help over a financial year.

To make a new PIP claim, individuals can contact the DWP, with detailed application information available on the GOV.UK website. Required information includes contact details, date of birth, National Insurance number, bank details, doctor's information, and any past periods spent abroad, in a care home, or hospital. For ADP, applications can be made over the phone, by post, or in-person, with guidance available on mygov.scot or by calling Social Security Scotland at 0800 182 2222.