People living with certain blood disorders may be eligible for Personal Independence Payment (PIP), depending on how their condition affects their daily life and mobility. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has published data covering 18 blood-related condition categories recorded among PIP claims.
The latest figures show 10,014 PIP claims across these 18 categories. The list includes several types of anaemia, inherited blood disorders, clotting conditions and platelet disorders. However, having a listed diagnosis does not automatically qualify someone for PIP.
PIP is based primarily on the practical impact of a health condition rather than the diagnosis alone. The assessment looks at whether a person has difficulty carrying out specific daily activities or moving around.
Conditions
The 18 blood-condition categories included in the latest data are:
- Aplastic anaemia
- B12 (pernicious) or folate-deficiency anaemia
- Iron-deficiency anaemia
- Other anaemia or anaemia type not known
- Sickle cell anaemia
- Other haemolytic disorders or type not known
- Hereditary spherocytosis
- Thalassaemia
- Glucose 6 phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency
- Other metabolic red cell disorders or type not known
- Polycythaemia
- Other clotting disorders or type not known
- Haemophilia A
- Haemophilia B, also known as Christmas disease
- Von Willebrand’s disease
- Autoimmune (idiopathic) thrombocytopaenic purpura (ITP)
- Other platelet disorders or type not known
- Blood disorders where the type is not known
The DWP makes clear that this is not an exhaustive list. A person with another blood condition may also qualify for PIP if the condition causes sufficient difficulties with eligible daily living or mobility activities.
Eligibility
A diagnosis alone does not guarantee a PIP award.
Instead, the assessment considers how a person’s condition affects their ability to perform specific activities. These can include preparing or cooking food, washing and bathing, dressing, managing medication or treatment, communicating and making decisions, and moving around.
For example, two people with the same blood condition could have very different PIP outcomes if their symptoms affect their everyday activities in different ways.
The key question is therefore not simply whether someone has a particular condition. It is how that condition affects their ability to carry out relevant activities and whether they need help, supervision or assistance.
The official GOV.UK PIP guidance explains the eligibility rules and assessment process.
Time
PIP also has duration requirements.
Generally, difficulties must have been present for at least three months and be expected to continue for at least another nine months. This means the assessment considers the longer-term impact of a condition rather than a short-term illness or temporary difficulty.
The rules can be particularly relevant for people whose symptoms fluctuate. What matters is how the difficulties affect the person under the applicable PIP assessment rules, rather than simply whether symptoms are present every day.
People applying for PIP should therefore provide information about the practical difficulties they experience, including how frequently they occur and what assistance or support is required.
Payments
PIP has two components: a daily living component and a mobility component. Each component has a standard and enhanced rate.
Based on the rates cited in the latest information, the weekly amounts are:
| PIP component | Standard rate | Enhanced rate |
|---|---|---|
| Daily living | £76.55 | £114.80 |
| Mobility | £30.20 | £80.10 |
A person who qualifies for both enhanced components could receive £195. – Wait, the figures provided total £194.90 per week, not £187.
Using the stated rates, £114.80 for enhanced daily living plus £80.10 for enhanced mobility equals £194.90 a week. Over four weeks, that is £779.60.
This is important because PIP is normally paid every four weeks, and the commonly quoted “monthly” figure can differ depending on how it is calculated. The actual award depends on the components and rates for which an individual qualifies.
For the most current rates and payment information, claimants should check the official GOV.UK PIP rates guidance.
Assessment
The PIP assessment focuses on how a health condition affects a person’s ability to complete specific activities. It is not simply a list of qualifying diagnoses.
For someone with a blood disorder, relevant difficulties could potentially include problems with physical movement, managing treatment, preparing food or carrying out personal care. The specific effect will depend on the person’s circumstances and the nature and severity of their condition.
PIP is also not means-tested. A person’s income, savings or employment status does not by itself determine whether they can qualify.
However, satisfying the financial conditions is not enough. The claimant must also meet the relevant disability and activity criteria.
Evidence
People making a PIP claim should explain the practical effects of their condition rather than relying only on the name of their diagnosis.
Medical information can help demonstrate the underlying condition, while details about daily difficulties can help explain how those health problems affect the activities considered under the PIP rules.
For example, it can be useful to describe what happens when carrying out a particular activity, how often a difficulty occurs, how long it takes and whether another person is needed to provide assistance or supervision.
The DWP’s PIP assessment guide provides further information about how assessments are conducted.
Support
The presence of one of the 18 blood conditions in DWP data should not be interpreted as an automatic entitlement to PIP.
The figures show claims recorded under particular condition categories, while eligibility is determined by the functional impact of a person’s disability or health condition and the relevant PIP rules.
The list is also not exhaustive. Someone with a blood condition that does not appear in the categories above may still be eligible if they meet the required criteria.
For people considering a claim, the most important distinction is between having a diagnosis and demonstrating qualifying difficulties with daily living or mobility. The amount awarded will depend on the individual assessment and the components for which the claimant qualifies.
