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The department has published a breakdown of neurological conditions recorded among PIP claimants

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has published a breakdown of 70 neurological conditions recorded among people receiving Personal Independence Payment (PIP).

PIP can be worth up to £778.40 every four weeks for claimants who receive both the daily living and mobility components at the enhanced rate.

Neurological disease is one of the five largest disabling‑condition categories within the DWP’s PIP system.

The latest figures show four million people across England and Wales were receiving PIP at the end of April 2026, with 37 per cent receiving the highest award level.

The neurological category covers conditions affecting the brain, spinal cord, peripheral nerves and muscles.

It forms part of a wider database of 536 disabling conditions, organised into 178 sub‑groups across 21 overarching categories.

Eligibility is based on how a condition affects daily living and mobility, rather than the diagnosis itself. Claimants are assessed against set criteria for the daily living and mobility components, with the number of points awarded determining entitlement and payment level.

For 2026/27, the weekly rate for daily living is £76.70 at the standard rate and £114.60 at the enhanced rate.

Mobility is worth £30.30 at the standard rate and £80 at the enhanced rate.

A claimant receiving both components at the enhanced rate receives £194.60 a week, or £778.40 every four weeks, with a maximum annual award of £10,119.20.

Over the five years to April 2026, neurological disease accounted for nine per cent of all PIP assessments.

Among new applications listing a neurological condition as the primary disabling condition, 56 per cent resulted in an award. For claimants reassessed after receiving Disability Living Allowance, the equivalent figure was eight per cent.

The DWP records one primary disabling condition per assessment, although additional health problems can be considered when determining entitlement.

Neurological conditions

Cognitive, sensorimotor and neuromuscular conditions

Multiple forms of muscular dystrophy — including Duchenne, Becker, limb‑girdle and facioscapulohumeral — are also listed, along with Creutzfeldt‑Jakob disease, other nervous‑system infections, poliomyelitis, post‑polio syndrome and prion diseases.

Being listed within the neurological category does not guarantee entitlement.

Awards depend on how a condition affects daily living and mobility, and the length of an award varies according to individual circumstances.

Neurological conditions have been associated with longer‑lasting awards.

Of new claimants whose primary disabling condition fell within the category over the five years to April 2026, 13 per cent received ongoing awards with no fixed end date.

Among claimants moving from Disability Living Allowance, 34 per cent received ongoing awards.

The neurological category covers a broad range of conditions, from stroke and epilepsy to multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, cerebral palsy and muscular dystrophy.

The DWP’s data shows entitlement is determined by functional impact rather than whether a diagnosis appears on the list.