The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has clarified that many Personal Independence Payment (PIP) claimants may be receiving a lower rate than they are entitled to, potentially missing out on an extra £1,970 per year. This follows a warning from Rebecca Lamb, external relations manager at Money Wellness, who highlighted a widespread issue: people often fail to fully explain the daily impact of their condition during assessments.
Why claimants miss out
Ms Lamb explained that PIP assessments focus on how a condition affects a person in practice, not just the medical diagnosis. Many claimants describe their condition medically or downplay their struggles, leading to lower awards. She noted that people who are used to coping often understate their difficulties, which can result in missing out on significant financial support — in some cases over £4,000 a year between standard and enhanced rates.
How PIP is structured
PIP consists of two components: daily living and mobility. The daily living part is worth either £76.70 or £114.60 per week, while the mobility part is either £30.30 or £80 per week. If a claimant is moved from the standard to the higher rate for daily living, they receive an extra £37.90 per week, which amounts to £151 per month or £1,970 over a 52-week year.
Who can claim PIP
PIP is designed for people with long-term physical or mental health conditions or disabilities that make everyday tasks or getting around difficult. Importantly, you can claim PIP even if you are working, have savings, or receive most other benefits.
Common misconceptions
Ms Lamb added that many people with conditions such as chronic pain, mobility issues, heart or lung conditions, neurological disorders, or fluctuating health conditions often rule themselves out too early. One of the biggest misconceptions is that you need to be unable to work or extremely unwell to qualify for PIP, which is not the case.
Claimants are advised to be thorough in describing the daily impact of their condition to ensure they receive the correct rate.
