PIP claimants could see monthly payments jump up by £630 | Personal Finance | Finance

New data from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) reveals that as of the end of April, approximately 420,000 people in receipt of Personal Independence Payment (PIP) were having their claims reviewed.

This includes 380,000 award reviews and 40,000 changes in circumstances. Currently, over 3.7 million people across England and Wales are claiming PIP.

However, many who are not receiving the maximum PIP may be unaware that if their condition has worsened and they require more assistance with daily living tasks or mobility needs, they could potentially increase their monthly payments.

PIP is intended to assist those with a disability, long-term illness, or physical or mental health condition with additional daily living or mobility expenses. A successful claim for PIP can result in weekly payments ranging from £29.20 to £187.45 – equating to £116.80 or £749.80 every four-week pay period.

The significant difference in payments is due to the various combinations of the daily living and mobility component rates that a claimant could receive, reports the Daily Record.

A person could be awarded the highest rate of both components and receive the maximum amount of £749.80 every four-week pay period, or the standard rate of both, totalling £412.40.

Similarly, a claimant may only be eligible for the standard rate of the daily living component – £73.90 per week, or £295.60 every four weeks, or the standard rate of the mobility component – £29.20 per week, or £116.80 every four weeks.

If a person on the standard rate of the mobility component (£116.80 every four weeks) experiences a change in their circumstances, such as a worsening condition or additional health issues, they could potentially receive the higher rates of both the daily living and mobility components.

This would result in payments of £749.80 every four weeks, an increase of £633. Elevating payments from the standard rate to the higher could boost annual income to £9,747.40 over 2025/26.

In another scenario, someone currently receiving the standard rate of both components (£412.40 per four-week pay period) who reports a change and is awarded the higher rate of both the daily living and mobility components (£749.80), would gain an extra £337.40 each month, equating to £4,386 over the current financial year.

It’s crucial to understand that reporting a change in circumstances to DWP or Social Security Scotland does not guarantee an increase in award. Each case is unique and no single condition affects two people in the same way.

PIP payment rates

PIP is are paid at the following amounts per week depending on your circumstances:.

Daily living

• Standard rate: £73.90
• Enhanced rate: £110.40

Mobility

• Standard rate: £29.20
• Enhanced rate: £77.05

Reporting a change – PIP

The most important thing to understand about the PIP new claim and review process is awards are based on how your condition, long-term illness or disability affects you – not the actual condition itself. The DWP makes this distinction clear in the current edition of the online PIP Handbook.

The guidance on GOV.UK explains: “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 contacting the DWP to report a change in your circumstances, it’s important to be aware depending on the change, your PIP could go up, go down, stay the same or stop.

Guidance on GOV.UK states you should contact the PIP if:

• you need more or less help with daily living and mobility tasks
• your health professional tells you your condition will last for a longer or shorter time than you reported before
• your condition has worsened and you’re not expected to live more than 12 months

How to report a PIP change

Call the ‘PIP enquiry line’ on 0800 121 4433, lines are open Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm.

Full guidance on reporting a change can be found on GOV.UK here.

Before making any request, seek independent advice from organisations such as the Citizens Advice Network because while an award review could result in an increase in payments, it could also see them reduced or even stopped. Find out more here.