The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has confirmed the list of eight infectious disease categories currently associated with Personal Independence Payment (PIP) claims in England and Wales. The benefit is intended to help people who face extra costs because of long-term health conditions or disabilities.
PIP is a tax-free payment that can be claimed by people who meet the eligibility criteria, regardless of whether they work, study or have savings. According to the DWP information, claimants must be aged 16 or over, have a long-term physical or mental health condition or disability, and have difficulties with daily activities or mobility that are expected to last for at least 12 months.
The Infectious Disease Categories Included in PIP Claims
The confirmed list includes several infectious disease categories, with figures showing the number of current claims recorded under each group. According to reports, HIV/AIDS accounts for 5,627 claims, while coronavirus COVID-19 accounts for 6,163 claims. Other categories include viral diseases excluding hepatitis and poliomyelitis, listed as other or type not known, with 975 claims. Bacterial diseases classified as other or type not known account for 824 claims.
Tuberculosis is also included, with 640 claims recorded. The remaining categories are malaria, with nine claims, protozoal diseases listed as other or type not known, with six claims, and infectious diseases listed as other or type not known, with 596 claims.
The figures represent conditions that have been included in claims for PIP rather than an automatic entitlement to payments. People with these conditions still need to complete an assessment process to determine whether they qualify and which parts of the benefit they may receive.
How PIP Payments Are Assessed and Paid
PIP is made up of two parts: a daily living component and a mobility component. Applicants may qualify for one component, both components, or neither, depending on how their condition affects their everyday life.
According to the DWP, payment rates for 2026 were updated following a 3.8% inflation-linked increase. The daily living component is paid at a standard rate of £76.70 per week or an enhanced rate of £114.60 per week. The mobility component is paid at a standard rate of £30.30 per week or an enhanced rate of £80.00 per week. The amount received depends on the outcome of the individual assessment.
The DWP said that more than 3.7 million people across England and Wales were receiving PIP as of April 2026. The payment is designed to support people with additional costs related to disabilities, physical health conditions or mental health challenges. The inclusion of infectious disease categories does not mean every person diagnosed with one of these conditions will receive PIP. impact depends on the impact of the condition on a person’s ability to complete daily tasks or move around, rather than the diagnosis alone.
