Question

Thanks to the very helpful MEA information leaflet on how to apply for a personal independence payment (PIP), my claim was successful. But I keep hearing about people with severe ME/CFS who have not been successful in claiming either a PIP care or mobility component. Is there any DWP information on success rates?

Answer

According to the latest DWP figures the success rate for PIP claims for ME/CFS is 54%, compared to an overall average of 53%. So people with ME/CFS have a slightly better-than-average chance of getting an award for ME/CFS.

Key figures are as follows:

35% of PIP claimants with ME/CFS get the enhanced rate of both the daily living and the mobility component.

Daily living awards
Enhanced daily living 41%
Standard daily living 55%
No daily living 4%

Mobility awards
Enhanced mobility 54%
Standard mobility 29%
No mobility 17%

96% of claimants with ME/CFS who get an award get the daily living component, compared to 83% who get the mobility component.

Consequently, as we keep saying, if you have significant problems with mobility and/or care needs it’s well worth applying for PIP. If you are refused, and feel you have a strong case, ask for a reconsideration or go to appeal – as there is a high rate of success on appeal.

Basic information on PIP

Rates of PIP from April 2024 are:

Daily Living component
Standard rate: £72.65
Enhanced rate: £108.55

Mobility component
Standard rate: £28.70
Enhanced rate: £75.75

This means an award of the enhanced rate of PIP for both components equals £184.30 a week.

PIP is paid on top of almost every other DWP benefit and may lead to an increase in some benefits or entitlement to additional benefits. The enhanced rate of the mobility component also gives access to the Motability scheme.

PIP eligibility criteria apply to England, Wales and Northern Ireland – Scotland has a separate system. You need to be aged at least 18 before you can receive PIP and you need to start your claim before you reach state pension age.

The best way to decide whether you might be eligible for PIP is to go through this list of PIP activities and think about the ways that your condition affects your ability to carry them out. You are awarded points according to the level of difficulty you have with each of these activities, with sufficient points leading to an award of PIP.

10 daily living activities:

• Preparing food
• Taking nutrition
• Managing therapy or monitoring a health condition
• Washing and bathing
• Managing toilet needs or incontinence
• Dressing and undressing
• Communicating verbally
• Reading and understanding signs, symbols and words
• Engaging with other people face-to-face
• Making budgeting decisions

Two Mobility activities:

• Planning and following journeys
• Moving around

You need to be able to complete the activities

• to a reasonable standard,
• safely,
• repeatedly
• taking no more than twice as long as it would take a person without a health condition.

More Information

The MEA has an information leaflet covering PIP applications and a further booklet explaining terminology.

• Personal Independence Payment (PIP) – A Guide to Applications
• Personal Independence Payment (PIP) Terminology Guide