Millions of Brits live with these conditions
People living with a range of mental health conditions could be entitled to financial support from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) without realising. Individuals experiencing stress, anxiety or depression may qualify for Personal Independence Payments (PIP) under the current guidelines.
Research commissioned by the DWP revealed that in January 2025, 3.7 million people were receiving PIP across England and Wales. However, there could be many more people living with stress, anxiety or depression who are missing out on the benefit.
DWP data has demonstrated that mental health conditions and behavioural disorders have been the primary driver behind the surge in working-age people claiming PIP. The monthly average of new PIP awards where anxiety and depression was the main medical condition climbed from 2,500 per month in 2019 to 8,800 per month in 2024.
By the end of April 2025, more than 3.7 million people were in receipt of PIP. This total included 1,444,016 individuals receiving financial support for ” psychiatric disorders “, currently the main disabling category used by the DWP. This category covers anxiety and mood disorders, stress reactions and depressive disorders, along with other conditions that may affect someone’s mental wellbeing.
PIP provides additional financial support ranging from £30.30 to £194.60 per week for adults living with a disability, long-term illness, or physical or mental health condition who require help with everyday tasks or getting around, reports the Express.
If you need extra assistance covering the costs of daily living or mobility due to a mental health condition, it may well be worth looking into making a fresh claim for PIP.
Who is eligible
To be considered for PIP, you must have a health condition or disability where you:
- Have had difficulties with daily living or getting around (or both) for three months
- Expect these difficulties to continue for at least nine months
- You typically need to have lived in the UK for at least two of the last three years and be in the country when you apply.
The DWP will evaluate how difficult you find daily living and mobility tasks. These tasks include:
- 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
For each of the above activities, the DWP will assess the following:
- 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 is PIP paid?
PIP and ADP are ordinarily paid every four weeks, unless you are terminally ill, in which case payments are made weekly. Funds will be transferred directly into your bank, building society or credit union account.
You can start a new claim by getting in touch with the DWP. All the information required to apply can be found on the GOV.UK website here.
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