The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has revealed the top 20 medical conditions that people are claiming Personal Independence Payments (PIP) for. According to Birmingham Live, the demand for this disability benefit has reached unprecedented levels, with approximately 220,000 new applications in the quarter ending July 2023. That translates to around 70,000 people initiating claims every month. Since its introduction in 2013, millions of PIP claims have been registered.
Out of the total applications, more than half, 51%, were awarded the benefit. Below, we outline the main disabling conditions reported in PIP claims. It is important to note that PIP eligibility is not based solely on having a specific medical condition, but rather on how it affects an individual’s daily life. Assessments are conducted to determine the points awarded for the ability to perform various activities, such as cooking, bathing, and traveling.
The following figures are the latest available, reflecting data from October 2023:
1. Haematological Disease: 8,134 claimants
Including: anaemia, sickle cell anaemia, thalassaemia, haemophilia
2. Infectious disease: 12,841 claimants
Including: Coronavirus/COVID-19, hepatitis, tuberculosis, malaria, HIV/AIDS
3. Malignant disease: 107,226 claimants
Including: all cancers, Hodgkin’s lymphoma, leukaemia, melanoma
4. Metabolic disease: 95,023 claimants
Including: hyperlipidaemia, amyloidosis, porphyria, obesity
5. Psychiatric disorders: 1,288,379 claimants
Including: anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, agoraphobia, learning disorders (such as dyslexia and dyspraxia), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), bipolar affective disorder, schizophrenia, dementia, anorexia, bulimia, learning disabilities (including Down’s syndrome), autistic spectrum disorders (such as autism, Asperger syndrome, Retts disorder), ADHD/ADD
6. Neurological disease: 430,576 claimants
Including: stroke, epilepsy, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, motor neurone disease, cerebral palsy, spina bifida, muscular dystrophy
7. Visual disease: 58,901 claimants
Including: scleritis, glaucoma, cataracts, macular degeneration, retinal detachment, tunnel vision
8. Hearing disorders: 36,456 claimants
Including: deafness, otosclerosis, labyrinthitis, mastoiditis, Meniere’s disease
9. Cardiovascular disease: 90,218 claimants
Including: aneurysm, tachycardia, cardiomyopathy, heart transplant, angina, pericarditis, deep vein thrombosis, Raynaud’s disease
10. Gastrointestinal disease: 31,837 claimants
Including: hiatus hernia, gastritis, coeliac disease, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
11. Diseases of the liver, gallbladder, biliary tract: 12,915 claimants
Including: hepatitis, cirrhosis, peritonitis, pancreatitis, haemochromatosis
12. Skin disease: 22,621 claimants
Including: cellulitis, impetigo, eczema, psoriasis, urticaria, acne, lymphoedema
13. Musculoskeletal disease (general): 682,438 claimants
Including: arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, ankylosing spondylitis, gout, osteoporosis, rickets
14. Musculoskeletal disease (regional): 404,251 claimants
Including: scoliosis, tenosynovitis, golfer’s elbow (medial epicondylitis), tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis), carpal tunnel syndrome, back pain, bursitis, amputation
15. Autoimmune disease (connective tissue disorders): 18,876 claimants
Including: systemic lupus erythematosus, systemic sclerosis (scleroderma), vasculitis, Sjogren’s syndrome
16. Genitourinary disease: 26,658 claimants
Including: renal failure, endometriosis, fibroids, nephritis, incontinence, ovarian cyst, pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)
17. Endocrine disease: 46,903 claimants
Including: diabetes, goitre, hyperthyroidism, Addison’s disease
18. Respiratory disease: 140,088 claimants
Including: cystic fibrosis, asthma, pneumonia, asbestosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), chronic bronchitis/emphysema
19. Multisystem and extremes of age: 1,439 claimants
Including: chromosomal syndrome, complications of prematurity, old age
20. Diseases of the immune system: 1,181 claimants
Including: allergy, food intolerance, angioedema, hypersensitivity disease
Additionally, there are 10,094 claimants whose conditions are listed as ‘unknown or missing’ in the statistics. Overall, the number of people claiming PIP in October 2023 stands at 3,437,047. This represents an increase of over 230,000 individuals compared to approximately the same period in the previous year, when the number of PIP recipients was 3,202,265.
These figures seek to provide insight into the diverse range of medical conditions for which individuals are claiming PIP. The DWP’s breakdown highlights the significance of assessing the impact on an individual’s daily life rather than focusing solely on the specific condition.
Eyebrows are raised over the sheer number of PIP claims, sparking discussions about the reasons for such a high demand. The DWP aims to ensure that those who genuinely require support receive it, while maintaining the integrity of the PIP system.
The department continues to adapt and improve its processes to meet the needs of claimants effectively. However, the increasing number of applications places a considerable strain on the resources available. The data also indicates the prevalence of different medical conditions within society, raising awareness of the challenges faced by individuals with disabilities or health conditions.
As the number of PIP claimants continues to rise, ongoing evaluation and scrutiny of the system will be crucial to ensure fair and efficient support for those who need it most.
