More than 1.5 million Personal Independence Payment (PIP) claims are now linked to mental health conditions, according to Department for Work and Pensions figures, alongside confirmation of 46 recognised conditions that may qualify for support worth up to £114.80 a week under the enhanced daily living rate.
Rising Number Of Mental Health Claims
Latest DWP statistics show 1,559,482 PIP claims are linked to mental health conditions, out of a total of 4,010,098 people receiving the benefit in April 2026. This marks an increase from 3,926,015 claimants at the start of the year, reflecting continued growth in applications across both physical and mental health categories.
PIP is designed to support people with additional costs linked to long-term health conditions or disabilities, regardless of employment status or savings.
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How PIP Payments Are Structured
PIP is divided into two components based on how a condition affects daily life and mobility. The daily living element pays £76.55 a week at the standard rate and £114.80 at the enhanced rate.
The mobility component ranges from £30.20 to £80.10 per week depending on level of difficulty with movement. Some claimants receiving both enhanced rates can receive up to £187 per week in total support.
Assessment Rules For PIP Eligibility
Eligibility is not based on National Insurance contributions or income level. Instead, the DWP assesses how a condition affects a person’s ability to complete daily tasks and move around safely.
Claimants must show difficulties occur on more than half of days across a 12-month period to qualify.
List Of 46 Mental Health Conditions
The DWP recognises a range of mental health and neurodevelopmental conditions within PIP assessments.
| Condition | Claims |
|---|---|
| Anxiety and depressive disorders (mixed) | 435,330 |
| Autism | 227,526 |
| Learning disability (other/type not known) | 149,464 |
| ADHD/ADD | 100,207 |
| Depressive disorder | 93,364 |
| Schizophrenia | 83,048 |
| Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) | 66,816 |
| Personality disorder | 58,338 |
| Bipolar affective disorder | 57,088 |
| Anxiety disorders (other/type not known) | 39,033 |
| Psychotic disorders (other/type not known) | 34,846 |
| Asperger syndrome | 30,551 |
| Specific learning disorder (other/type not known) | 24,978 |
| Down’s syndrome | 21,661 |
| Generalised anxiety disorder | 15,692 |
| Dementia | 14,755 |
| Schizoaffective disorder | 14,017 |
| Alcohol misuse | 13,313 |
| Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) | 12,343 |
| Cognitive disorders (other/type not known) | 7,813 |
| Agoraphobia | 7,167 |
| Mood disorders (other/type not known) | 5,704 |
| Anorexia nervosa | 5,231 |
| Drug misuse | 4,825 |
| Cognitive disorder due to stroke | 4,522 |
| Dyslexia | 4,490 |
| Speech or language disorder | 4,188 |
| Dyspraxia | 4,052 |
| Panic disorder | 3,738 |
| Phobia (social) | 3,453 |
| Fragile X syndrome | 2,333 |
| Eating disorders not otherwise specified | 2,314 |
| Conduct disorder | 1,273 |
| Stress reaction disorders | 1,168 |
| Dissociative disorders | 1,009 |
| Psychiatric disorders of childhood | 960 |
| Bulimia nervosa | 828 |
| Body dysmorphic disorder | 597 |
| Rett’s disorder | 464 |
| Phobia (specific) | 370 |
| Conversion disorder | 305 |
| Somatoform disorders | 137 |
| Faecal soiling (encopresis) | 68 |
| Bedwetting (enuresis) | 46 |
| Factitious disorders | 35 |
| Munchausen syndrome | 10 |
How The Benefit System Works
PIP is not automatically awarded and requires an assessment process. The DWP evaluates how a condition affects daily living tasks such as cooking, washing, communication and managing medication, alongside mobility challenges.
Payments are intended to support people in maintaining independence at home and in daily life.
Wider Trend In Claims
Mental health conditions now represent a large share of overall PIP claims, with anxiety and depressive disorders accounting for the highest proportion. Autism, learning disabilities and ADHD also form a significant part of the caseload, reflecting increased diagnosis and reporting across younger and working-age groups.
DWP figures continue to show steady growth in total PIP recipients across the UK system.
