PIP provides up to £737 each month to nearly 140,000 people with these respiratory conditions
The latest figures from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) show that at the end of July, some 138,376 people were receiving Personal Independence Payments (PIP) to help with a respiratory condition. That figure also includes 5,101 people living in Scotland whose existing PIP claim has still to be transferred to Adult Disability Payment (ADP).
People with severe asthma, disease of the upper respiratory tract, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), Asbestosis and other health issues which affect their breathing could be eligible for PIP or ADP. A successful claim for PIP or ADP 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.
READ MORE: People on Universal Credit with health issues could be due up to £1,130 each month
READ MORE: New claims for Adult Disability Payment most-likely to get an ongoing award
It’s important to be aware that new claims for PIP have been replaced by ADP for people living in Scotland. However, the devolved disability benefit for people over 16 and under State Pension age follows similar eligibility criteria to PIP - find out more here.
The latest figures from Asthma and Living UK show that there are now 5.4 million people across the UK receiving treatment for asthma, including 68,000 people living in Scotland, the equivalent of one in 14.
The statistics from the charity also show that approximately 160,000 people across the country are diagnosed with asthma every year and that roughly 250,000 adults and children are living with severe asthma.
Number of people claiming PIP for respiratory conditions - July 2024
Scotland: 5,101 (does not include ADP claimants)
England and Wales: 133,134
Living Abroad: 66
Great Britain total: 138,376
Respiratory conditions
Diseases of the upper respiratory tract
Sleep apnoea - obstructive
Upper respiratory tract - Other diseases of / type not known
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
Chronic bronchitis
Emphysema
Bronchiectasis
Cystic Fibrosis
Asthma
Pulmonary fibrosis
Extrinsic allergic alveolitis
Fibrosing alveolitis
Pulmonary fibrosis - Other / type not known
Pneumoconiosis
Asbestosis
Pneumoconiosis - coal workers
Pneumoconiosis - Other / type not known
Silicosis
Granulomatous lung disease and pulmonary infiltration
Granulomatous lung disease and pulmonary infiltration - Other / type not known
Sarcoidosis
Disease of the pleura
Empyema
Pleura - Other diseases of / type not known
Pleural effusion
Pneumothorax
Lung transplantation
Heart and lung transplantation
Pulmonary embolus
Pneumonia
Lower respiratory tract - Other diseases of / type not known
The most important thing to understand about the PIP claims process is that awards are based on how your condition, long-term illness or disability affects you, not the actual condition itself. The DWP makes this distinction clear in the 2024 edition of the online PIP Handbook.
The guidance on GOV.UK explains: “As the assessment principles consider the impact of a claimant’s condition on their ability to live independently and not the condition itself, claimants with the same condition may get different outcomes. The outcome is based on an independent assessment and all available evidence.”
When you are assessed for PIP, a health professional will look at your ability to carry out a range of daily living activities and mobility activities. The health professional will consider whether your health condition or disability limits your ability to carry out the activities and how much help you need with them.
The health professional will then write a report for the PIP decision maker who will use all the evidence and decide whether you are entitled to the benefit, at what rate and for how long. PIP is made up of two parts, the daily living component and the mobility component. Each component can be paid at either the standard rate or the enhanced rate.
Below is an overview of PIP and ADP. Even though new claims for PIP have been replaced in Scotland by ADP, it shares most of the same eligibility criteria. Full guidance on ADP can be found on the MYGOV.SCOT website here.
Who might be 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 are PIP and ADP paid?
PIP and ADP are usually paid every four weeks unless you are terminally ill, in which case it is paid weekly. It will be paid directly into your bank, building society or credit union account. ADP is paid at the same rates as PIP.
What are the PIP and ADP payment rates?
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.
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
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 the health professional and DWP determine which type of assessment is best suited for each claimant. 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 do you make a 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
How to apply for ADP
People can apply for 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.
