Having the conditions does not automatically make a person eligible for PIP (Image: Getty)
People living with debilitating chronic pain conditions could be entitled to hundreds of pounds in support from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). Personal Independence Payment, commonly known as PIP, is designed to help people with the extra costs that can come with a long-term physical or mental health condition or disability.
The benefit is not means-tested, meaning the amount someone receives is not affected by their income or savings, and it can also be claimed by people who are working. DWP medical guidance groups a number of conditions under the heading “chronic pain syndromes”. These include: Fibromyalgia, Chronic pain syndrome, Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), Reflex sympathetic dystrophy (RSD). However, having one of the conditions does not automatically mean someone will receive PIP.
DWP data shows that 196,332 people claim PIP for chronic pain conditions (Image: Getty)
The benefit is instead awarded according to how a person’s condition affects their ability to carry out everyday activities or move around.
To qualify, claimants must generally have a long-term physical or mental health condition or disability, experience difficulties with certain everyday tasks or mobility and expect those difficulties to last for at least 12 months.
The assessment looks at activities including preparing food, washing and bathing, dressing, communicating, managing medicines and mixing with other people.
Public data for 30 April 2026 shows that 196,332 people claimed PIP for chronic pain conditions, with the majority doing so due to fibromyalgia.
Fibromyalgia is a long-term condition associated with widespread pain, while CRPS can cause severe and persistent pain, often affecting a limb.
It comes after the annual uplift in benefit rates saw PIP values rise by 3.8% in April this year.
For 2026/27, the daily living element is worth £76.70 a week at the standard rate or £114.60 at the enhanced rate.
The mobility component pays £30.30 a week at the standard rate or £80 at the enhanced rate.
Someone receiving the enhanced rate of both components can therefore get £194.60 a week — equivalent to £778.40 every four weeks.
Those in receipt of PIP could get up to £778.40 every four weeks. (Image: Getty)
The payment is tax-free and is not reduced because of someone’s earnings or savings.
Chronic pain can have a particularly significant impact on mobility and everyday life, and Government research recognises chronic pain as one of the impairments that can affect a person’s ability to get around.
But the DWP stresses that PIP assessments focus on the impact of a condition rather than the diagnosis itself.
Assessors consider what a claimant can and cannot do reliably in their daily life, meaning two people with the same condition could receive different awards depending on how severely they are affected.
Full list of chronic pain conditions
Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS)
Reflex sympathetic dystrophy (RSD)
This story originally appeared on Express.co.uk
