Natalia
The UK’s Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has disclosed that specific health condition categories are significantly more likely to result in long-term Personal Independence Payment (PIP) awards, including durations of five years or more.
In April 2025, about 3.7 million people in England and Wales were receiving PIP.
Why Award Length Matters
- PIP awards can range from short-term (up to two years) to long-term (up to ten years, or ongoing).
- Longer awards reduce the need for frequent reassessments—especially critical for individuals with stable or worsening conditions requiring consistent support.
Six Conditions Likely to Get Long-Term Awards
Below are the six health condition categories with the highest proportion of claimants receiving awards lasting five years or longer as of April 2025:
| Condition Category | Total Claimants | Long-Term (≥5 yrs) Count | % Receiving ≥5-Year Awards |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visual disease | 58,539 | — | 65 % |
| General musculoskeletal disease | 697,476 | — | 52 % |
| Neurological disease | 472,121 | — | 53.4 % |
| Respiratory disease | 137,957 | — | 48.3 % |
| Autoimmune (connective tissue) | 19,921 | — | 46.7 % |
| Regional musculoskeletal disease | 440,684 | — | 46 % |
| Overall PIP claimants | 3,744,671 | — | 44 % |
The DWP considers these categories when determining who is most likely to receive long-term PIP awards, emphasizing functional need and likelihood of change.
How Award Lengths Are Determined
- Assessment of Impact
PIP is granted based on how much a person’s health impedes daily living and mobility, not merely a diagnosis. - Review Schedule
- Short-term awards: Up to two years, possibly without review if improvement is expected.
- Long-term or ongoing awards (light-touch reviews): Offered to claimants with stable or high-level needs, or those near State Pension age, often avoiding routine face-to-face assessments.
- Review Outcomes
Most reviews—whether planned or triggered by changed circumstances—lead to award maintenance or increase. For example, between May 2020–April 2025, 76% of planned reviews resulted in unchanged or increased awards.
Why These Six Conditions Stand Out
- Visual diseases show the highest long-term award likelihood at 65%, reflecting their typically irreversible and enduring nature.
- General musculoskeletal, neurological, and respiratory diseases also show large proportions of long-term awards, indicating the DWP acknowledges their chronic impact.
- This recognition benefits recipients by minimizing testing frequency and ensuring stability in support.
What Claimants Should Know
- A PIP award is tailored to functional effects and regularly reviewed, tailored to each individual’s needs and prognosis.
- Long-term awards help reduce the assessment burden, offering peace of mind—especially for conditions unlikely to improve.
The latest DWP data reveal that people with visual, musculoskeletal, neurological, respiratory, or autoimmune conditions have significantly larger chances of receiving long-term PIP support, with awards lasting five years or more.
Given that almost 44% of all claimants enjoy long-duration awards, this insight guides applicants and advisers in understanding eligibility and setting expectations.
Long-term awards reduce assessment demands and provide sustained support to those with enduring health challenges.
FAQs
The top six are visual, musculoskeletal (general and regional), neurological, respiratory, and autoimmune (connective tissue) conditions.