There are more than 85 musculoskeletal conditions that could enable UK adults to qualify for Personal Independence Payments, known as PIP – we take a closer look
According to the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), more than 1.1 million adults in the UK are supported through Personal Independence Payments (PIP) for over 85 musculoskeletal conditions.
These conditions are injuries and disorders affecting the human body’s movement or musculoskeletal system, such as muscles, tendons, ligaments, nerves, discs and blood vessels. Arthritis is a general term encompassing many of these different conditions, with common ones including osteoarthritis, back pain, rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, osteoporosis, gout, polymyalgia rheumatica, lupus and ankylosing spondylitis. If you’re aged between 16 and State Pension age, you may be eligible to claim PIP to assist with a musculoskeletal condition. And if your ability to work is limited due to your symptoms, you could qualify for “new style” Employment and Support Allowance (ESA).
The latest DWP data also indicates that there are now 3.5 million people in Scotland, England and Wales claiming PIP. A successful claim is worth between £28.70 and £184.30 each week in additional financial support and as the benefit is paid every four weeks, this amounts to between £114.80 and £737.20 every pay period.
PIP claimants with musculoskeletal conditions
The latest data shows that at the end of April 2024, more than one million people were receiving support through PIP for Musculoskeletal conditions. Below is the list of 87 musculoskeletal conditions being supported through PIP to help with either daily living, mobility needs or a combination of both components. It is not definitive, so if your condition does not appear, don’t be put off making a claim as an award for PIP is about how the condition affects you, not the condition itself.
Musculoskeletal Conditions – General
- Osteoarthritis
- Osteoarthritis of Hip
- Osteoarthritis of Knee
- Osteoarthritis of other single joint
- Primary generalised Osteoarthritis
- Chronic pain syndrome
- Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS)
- Fibromyalgia
- Pain syndromes – Chronic – Other / type not known
- Inflammatory arthritis
- Ankylosing spondylitis
- Arthritis – Psoriatic
- Arthritis – Reactive
- Inflammatory arthritis – Other / type not known
- Juvenile chronic arthritis (Still’s disease)
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Crystal deposition disorders
- Unknown type of Crystal deposition disorders
- Gout
- Pseudogout
- Osteonecrosis and osteochondritis
- Osteochondritis
- Osteonecrosis
- Metabolic and endocrine disorders
- Osteomalacia
- Osteoporosis
- Other metabolic and endocrine disorders of the musculoskeletal system
- Paget’s disease
- Rickets
- Genetic disorders, dysplasias and malformations
- Achondroplasia
- Multiple Epiphyseal dysplasia
- Unknown type of Genetic disorders, dysplasias and malformations
- Hereditary multiple exostosis (diaphyseal aclasis)
- Hypermobility syndrome
- Marfan’s syndrome
- Osteogenesis imperfecta
- Benign bone tumours
- Bone tumours – benign
- Fracture complications
- Compartment syndrome (Volkmann’s ischaemia)
- Unknown type of Fracture complications
- Sudek’s atrophy
- Other generalised musculoskeletal conditions
- Unknown type of Generalised musculoskeletal disease
- Regional Musculoskeletal Conditions
- Shoulder disorders
- Adhesive capsulitis (frozen shoulder)
- Rotator cuff disorder
- Unknown type of Shoulder disorders
- Shoulder instability
- Elbow disorders
- Unknown type of Elbow disorders
- Golfers elbow (medial epicondylitis)
- Tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis)
- Wrist and hand disorders
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Dupuytren’s contracture
- Tendon lesions
- Tenosynovitis
- Unknown type of Wrist and hand disorders
- Neck disorders
- Cervical disc lesion
- Cervical spondylosis
- Unknown type of Neck disorders
- Whiplash injury
- Non specific back pain
- Back pain – Non specific (mechanical)
- Specific back pain
- Back pain – Specific – Other / type not known
- Kyphosis
- Lumbar disc lesion
- Lumbar spondylosis (OA spine)
- Schuermann’s disease
- Scoliosis
- Spinal stenosis
- Spondylolisthesis
- Hip disorders
- Dislocation of the hip – congenital
- Hip disorders – Other / type not known
- Perthes disease
- Slipped upper femoral epiphysis
- Knee disorders
- Bursitis
- Chondromalacia patellae
- Knee disorders – Other / type not known
- Ligamentous instability of knee
- Meniscal lesions
- Osgood schlatters disease
- Osteochondritis dissecans
- Patellar dislocation – Recurrent
- Ankle and foot disorders
- Ankle and foot disorders – Other / type not known
- Club foot (talipes)
- Fore foot pain (Metatarsalgia)
- Hallux valgus /rigidus
- Amputations
- Amputation – Lower limb(s)
- Amputation – Upper limb(s)
- Amputations – Upper and Lower limb/s
- Injuries/fracture/Dislocation
- Abdomen – Injuries/Fracture/Dislocation of
- Lower limb – Injuries/Fracture/Dislocation of
- Multiple – Injuries/Fracture/Dislocation
- Pelvis – Injuries/Fracture/Dislocation of
- Spine – Injuries/Fracture/Dislocation of
- Thorax – Injury/Fracture/Dislocation of
- Upper limb – Injury/Fracture/Dislocation of
- Other regional musculoskeletal disease
- Musculoskeletal disease – Regional / Localised – Other / type not known
Who might qualify for PIP?
To qualify for PIP, you must have a health condition or disability that causes difficulties with daily living or mobility (or both) for 3 months, with these difficulties expected to continue for at least 9 months. Typically, you need to have resided in the UK for at least two of the past three years and be in the country when you apply. Different rules apply if you are terminally ill, which can be found on the GOV. UK website.
How is PIP paid?
PIP is typically paid every four weeks unless you are terminally ill, in which case payments are made weekly. Payments are made directly into your bank, building society or credit union account. An assessment is required to determine the level of financial aid you will receive, and your rate will be regularly reviewed to ensure you are receiving the appropriate support. PIP is comprised of two elements: Daily living and Mobility. The receipt of one or both of these and the amount you receive depends on the severity of your condition’s impact. The following weekly payments will be made based on your circumstances:
Daily living:
Standard rate: £72.65
Enhanced rate: £108.55
Mobility:
Standard rate: £28.70
Enhanced rate: £715.75
Assessment process
An independent healthcare professional will assess you to help the DWP determine the level of financial support, if any, you need for PIP. Health-related benefits consultations are offered face-to-face, via video calls, telephone and paper-based assessments – it’s crucial to understand that the health professional and DWP decide which type of assessment is most appropriate for each claimant. More information about DWP PIP assessments can be found here. Adult Disability Payment assessments will not involve face-to-face assessments unless this is preferred by the claiman.
How to claim for PIP?
You can initiate a new claim by contacting the DWP, all the necessary information to apply can be found on the GOV. UK website.
Before you call, ensure you have:
- your contact details
- your date of birth
- your National Insurance number – this can be found on letters about tax, pensions and benefits
- your bank or building society account number and sort code
- the name, address and telephone number of your doctor or health worker
- details of any time you’ve spent abroad, in a care home or hospital are required
