PIP claimants across the country could receive an income boost worth hundreds of pounds. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has unveiled new figures indicating that over 3.6 million adults across Great Britain are currently claiming Personal Independence Payment (PIP).

The benefit is designed to help those with disabilities, long-term illnesses, or physical or mental health conditions. It covers additional daily living or mobility costs they face as a result of their health issues.

A successful PIP claim can currently yield between £28.70 and £184.30 per week, paid every four weeks, equating to a range of £114.80 to £737.20. The substantial variation in payments is due to the different combinations of daily living and mobility component rates that a claimant could be awarded.

For example, an individual could receive the highest rate for both components, resulting in the maximum £737.20 every four-week pay period, or the standard rate for both, totalling £405.40, as reported by the Daily Record. However, many people not receiving the maximum PIP may not be aware that if their condition has worsened and they require more support with daily living or mobility, or both, they might be eligible for an increase in monthly payments by up to £622.40.

Upgrading payments from the standard to the higher rate could potentially boost annual income by as much as £8,091, based on the current 2024/25 rates.

For example, if someone is on the standard mobility component rate receives £28.70 weekly, that gives them £114.80 every four weeks. If that same person notifies a change, goes through a review, and receives both enhanced daily living and mobility components they would receive £737.20.

If somebody already receives a standard rate for both components at £405.40 over four weeks and then has a change in their health, they could be entitled to extra money. They would need to go through another review but could end up with both enhanced components, giving them an extra £331.80 monthly.

Annually, that’s a boost of £4,313. However, it’s important to note that flagging any health variations is key since it might help increase your benefits. PIP is assessed based on how your condition or disability affects your daily lifestyle, not just the illness itself.

GOV.UK guidance states: “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 you contact the DWP to update them on any changes in your circumstances, it’s vital to know that depending on what those changes are, your PIP could go up, down, stay the same, or even stop completely. Under guideleines on GOV.UK, you should check out your PIP entitlement if:

To report a change, call the ‘PIP enquiry line’ at 0800 121 4433. The lines are open from Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm. Comprehensive guidance on reporting a change can be found on GOV.UK here.

Before making any request, it’s advisable to seek independent advice from organisations like the Citizens Advice Network. While a review of your award could potentially lead to an increase in payments, it could also result in a reduction or even cessation of payments.

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