Millions on PIP: are you among the 6 conditions most likely to get 5–10 years and £749.80?

Behind the headlines, benefit award lengths can stretch or shrink in ways many people don’t expect when they first apply.

Fresh figures from the Department for Work and Pensions reveal large differences in how long Personal Independence Payment awards last, with new guidance pointing to who is most likely to receive the longest support and the kind of review they can expect.

What the numbers show

There are 3,744,671 people on PIP across the UK as of April 2025. That headline total masks a crucial detail for households planning their finances: the length of a successful award varies widely. Some awards last just nine months. Others are “ongoing”, with a light touch review set at 10 years.

Ministers say most awards will be checked periodically to make sure the level of support still reflects a person’s needs. Reform proposals are due next year, but the existing rules continue to apply for current and new claims.

Between 44% and 65% of claimants in several condition groups now hold awards of five years or longer, with many flagged for light touch reviews rather than full reassessments.

Who is most likely to get a long award

DWP data highlights six condition groups where claimants are most likely to receive awards lasting five years or more. The share with longer awards stands above the overall average, and a sizeable proportion are marked for light touch reviews, signalling very stable or high-level needs.

Across all conditions, 44% of claimants hold awards of five years or more. In total, 1,631,688 people have been allocated a light touch review, often indicating needs that are unlikely to reduce.

The light touch review explained

Light touch is a signpost to less frequent and less intrusive checks. It typically applies when:

• needs are stable and unlikely to change;
• needs are significant and may stay the same or worsen;
• the next review aligns with State Pension age; or
• special rules for end of life apply at State Pension age.

Guidance indicates face-to-face assessments are not usually required for these reviews.

Longest awards are marked as ongoing, with a review point set at 10 years. Shortest awards run to nine months.

What determines your award length

Decision makers look at how your condition limits daily living and mobility, rather than the diagnosis alone. Two people with the same condition can receive different awards if their functional impact differs. Many people will see a review date set, irrespective of how long the award lasts, so that support stays aligned with their needs.

Some claimants receive a limited-term award for up to two years without a review. This path is more common where the DWP expects a person’s condition to improve in the near term.

How much is PIP worth in 2025/26

PIP is paid every four weeks. The current weekly rates are:

• Daily living: £73.90 (standard) or £110.40 (enhanced)
• Mobility: £29.20 (standard) or £77.05 (enhanced)

Someone receiving the enhanced rate for both components gets £187.45 a week, which equates to £749.80 every four weeks.

Weekly support ranges from £29.20 to £187.45, paid in a four-week cycle, depending on your award.

Thinking about a new claim

If you are starting a claim, focus on demonstrating the day-to-day impact of your condition over time. Evidence remains central. The decision hinges on how you manage key activities, such as preparing food, washing and bathing, communicating, moving around and planning journeys.

Preparing your paperwork

• Keep a two-week diary noting tasks you avoid, need help with or take much longer to complete.
• Gather medical letters, care plans and treatment notes that reflect your current level of need.
• Ask a carer, support worker or clinician to provide a short statement describing the help you require.
• Explain bad days and frequency. Regular fluctuations can justify points even if some days are better.

What to expect at review

Many awards will be reviewed to check whether points still apply. People flagged for light touch usually avoid a face-to-face assessment, though you may be asked for updated evidence. Changes in your condition should be reported. An improvement or deterioration can alter the length or level of your award.

Scotland and ADP

In Scotland, new claims are made to Adult Disability Payment rather than PIP. The rules and rates broadly mirror PIP, and existing Scottish claimants have been moving from DWP to Social Security Scotland. The light touch approach and long award patterns are also used in ADP decision making.

Why some conditions see longer awards

The six condition groups listed above often involve needs that are predictable over many years. Severe sight loss, progressive neurological disease, or long-standing musculoskeletal problems frequently produce consistent functional limitations. That is why a larger share of these claimants receive five-year-plus awards and fewer face repeated full assessments.

A quick example to gauge your position

Consider two claimants with multiple sclerosis. One has unpredictable falls and needs help to prepare meals, wash and get dressed; they also need supervision outdoors. They are more likely to reach enhanced rates across both components and may be marked for a light touch review. Another claimant still works part-time, manages most tasks with aids and rarely needs human help; their award might be shorter or at the standard rate, with an earlier review. The diagnosis is the same, but the functional picture differs.

Planning ahead

Set reminders for review dates and keep copies of all forms, evidence and decision letters. If you receive an ongoing award with a 10-year review, keep a simple file of key medical updates. If your needs increase before a review, you can report a change and ask for a reassessment. If you have a limited-term award with no review, plan for what happens as it approaches the end date.