The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has announced that plans to reform the Personal Independence Payment (PIP) have been postponed until a review into the current assessment process is completed, expected by next Autumn. However, the DWP also confirmed that the disability benefit will continue to rise each year in line with the September inflation rate. This is set to be published in mid-October with the benefit increase confirmed at the Autumn Budget.
The latest figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) show that the Consumer Prices Index (CPI) inflation rate for July was 3.8 per cent. If the CPI inflation rate remained at 3.8 per cent, those receiving the highest awards of the daily living and mobility components of PIP would see payments increase from £749.80 every four-week payment period to £778.20, a boost of £28.40. PIP or ADP is currently valued between £29.20 and £187.45 each week, equating to £116.80 or £749.80 every four-week pay period.
An increase of 3.8 per cent would result in payments being worth between £30.30 and £194.55 every week, or £121.20 and £778.20 every four-week payment period, reports the Daily Record. It’s key to note that there are still two more CPI inflation rates (August and September) to be announced by the ONS before it is certain how much PIP, Attendance Allowance and Disability Living Allowance will increase from April 2026.
Understanding the impact of CPI inflation rates now can help make it easier to understand the annual uprating process ahead of the Autumn Budget.
Predicted PIP payment rates for 2026/27
The next ONS CPI inflation rate is due to be published on September 17. However if the payment was to get a 3.4 per cent CPI uprating, PIP would be paid at the following weekly amounts:
Daily living
- Standard rate: £73.90 (£76.70)
- Enhanced rate: £110.40 (£114.60)
Mobility
- Standard rate: £29.20 (£30.30)
- Enhanced rate: £77.05 (£79.95)
Latest data from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) reveals that over 3.7 million people across Great Britain are currently receiving additional financial support through PIP. Meanwhile, Social Security Scotland has published similar data showing that over 476,200 people are now receiving Adult Disability Payment (ADP), the devolved benefit which has replaced PIP in Scotland.
Many may not realise that both PIP and ADP can provide support for over 500 health conditions, aiding individuals with daily living tasks or mobility, or both. However, it’s not beneficial to list all 536 conditions recorded by DWP during the PIP application process.
This is because an award for the disability benefit is determined by how a person’s health condition affects their ability to perform daily living tasks. These include cooking, washing, eating, dressing and interacting with others in a safe and timely manner.
There are also awards available to assist those who have difficulty moving around. This makes every claim for PIP or ADP unique to each applicant.
