Older people making a new claim for PIP could boost income to £1,622 each month

Linda Howard
·6-min read

The latest figures from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) show there are now more than 3.6 million people across Great Britain claiming Personal Independence Payment (PIP). The data also indicates there are nearly 568,000 people over State Pension age in receipt of the disability payment, including 34,000 living in Scotland.

During the current financial year, thousands of people over State Pension age in Scotland, England and Wales will receive support of between £114.80 and £737.20 every four-week pay period. It’s important to be aware that new claims for PIP have been replaced in Scotland by Adult Disability Payment (ADP), so the figures could be higher as more existing claimants are transferred from DWP to the devolved Social Security Scotland IT system.

READ MORE: People of State Pension age with arthritis could be due up to £434 each month

READ MORE: Former DWP employee shares tips on how to protect PIP and other disability benefit payments

Many people over 56 and nearing State Pension age may not be aware of a change to PIP guidance in 2019 that states “claimants whose review would have taken place when they were of State Pension age means that they are now generally awarded ongoing awards”.

Award types and review periods are set on an individual basis, based on the claimant’s needs and the likelihood of those needs changing. It takes into account such matters as planned treatment/therapy or learning/adapting to manage a condition.

PIP awards

Guidance from DWP states:

  • For fixed length awards, the review period usually ranges from a minimum of nine months to a maximum 10 years

  • Review periods of less than nine months are set only in exceptional circumstances

  • An award of two years or less is considered short-term

Combined incomes

The full, New State Pension is currently worth £221.20 each week (£884.80 every 4-week pay period) and the Basic State Pension up to £169.50 (£678 every 4-week pay period) - how much you are paid depends on the amount of National Insurance contributions made.

Although payments for State Pension, PIP and ADP are made separately, they could provide a combined monthly income of up to £1,622 - based on someone in receipt of the full, New State Pension and highest PIP or ADP awards for the daily living and mobility component.

PIP and ADP payment rates 2024/25

You will need an assessment to work out the level of financial help you will receive and your rate will be regularly reviewed to make sure you are getting the right support. Payments are made every four weeks.

PIP is made up of two components:

  • Daily living

  • Mobility

Whether you get one or both of these and how much depends on how severely your condition affects you.

You will be paid the following amounts per week depending on your circumstances:

Daily living

  • Standard rate: £72.65

  • Enhanced rate: £108.55

Mobility

  • Standard rate: £28.70

  • Enhanced rate: £75.75

PIP, ADP and State Pension age

When someone reaches State Pension age, they can no longer make a new claim for PIP, Disability Living Allowance (DLA) or ADP.

However, if someone is already receiving PIP, DLA, or ADP when they reach State Pension age, they will continue to receive the benefit until the award period ends where it will be reviewed following the normal process.

People who reach State Pension age who are no longer claiming any of the working age disability benefits may also be able to reclaim it - as long as they are claiming for the same health conditions that they initially received the award for and the last claim ended less than 12 months before reaching State Pension age.

For people over State Pension age with a health condition, long-term illness or disability they may be eligible for Attendance Allowance - this is worth either £72.65 or £108.55 every week from DWP. Find out more about claiming Attendance Allowance here.

People of State Pension age claiming PIP

Number of people of State Pension age (over 65) claiming PIP or ADP:

  • Scotland: 33,957

  • England and Wales: 532,708

  • Living Abroad: 993

  • Unknown: 23

  • Total: 567,680

If you have not yet reached State Pension age but are living with a health condition, disability or long-term illness, you may qualify for PIP or ADP. Below is an overview of both benefits.

Who is eligible for PIP or ADP?

To be eligible for PIP or ADP, you must have a health condition or disability where you:

  • have had difficulties with daily living or getting around (or both) for 3 months

  • expect these difficulties to continue for at least 9 months

You usually need to have lived in the UK for at least two of the last three years and be in the country when you apply.

In addition to what we have outlined above if you get or need help with any of the following because of your condition, you should consider applying for PIP or ADP.

  • preparing, cooking or eating food

  • managing your medication

  • washing, bathing or using the toilet

  • dressing and undressing

  • engaging and communicating with other people

  • reading and understanding written information

  • making decisions about money

  • planning a journey or following a route

  • moving around

There are different rules if you are terminally ill, you will find these on the GOV.UK website here.

DWP or Social Security Scotland will assess how difficult you find daily living and mobility tasks. For each task they will look at:

  • whether you can do it safely

  • how long it takes you

  • how often your condition affects this activity

  • whether you need help to do it, from a person or using extra equipment

How you are assessed

You will be assessed by an independent healthcare professional to help the DWP determine the level of financial support, if any, you need, for PIP.

Face-to-face consultations for health-related benefits are offered alongside video calls, telephone and paper-based assessments - it's important to be aware that there is no choice here, it's up to the health professional and DWP. You can find out more about DWP PIP assessments here.

Adult Disability Payment assessments will not involve face-to-face assessments, unless this is preferred by the claimant - find out more about the changes here.

How to make a new claim for PIP

You can make a new claim by contacting the DWP, you will find all the information you need to apply on the GOV.UK website here.

Before you call, you will need:

  • your contact details

  • your date of birth

  • your National Insurance number - this is on letters about tax, pensions and benefits

  • your bank or building society account number and sort code

  • your doctor or health worker’s name, address and telephone number

  • dates and addresses for any time you’ve spent abroad, in a care home or hospital

Even if you don't qualify for financial support, you could be eligible for a National Entitlement Travel Card, which offers free or reduced travel across Scotland on most public transport links. For more information about PIP, visit GOV.UK here.

How to apply for Adult Disability Payment

People can apply ADP, over the phone, by post or in-person. To find out more or apply, visit the dedicated pages on mygov.scot here or call Social Security Scotland on 0800 182 2222.

Latest stories