People living with respiratory conditions in the UK may be able to claim Personal Independence Payment (PIP), a disability benefit designed to help cover the additional costs associated with long-term health conditions. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has published figures covering 24 respiratory conditions linked to PIP claims, including asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), cystic fibrosis and pulmonary fibrosis.
According to the latest figures cited in the report, 144,732 PIP claims were associated with respiratory conditions as of April 2026. The data also shows that the number of people receiving PIP has increased, with more than four million recipients recorded across the UK.
However, having a respiratory diagnosis does not automatically qualify someone for PIP. The benefit is assessed according to how a person’s condition affects their ability to manage everyday activities and mobility.
Payments
PIP is a disability benefit administered by the DWP. It helps people meet additional costs associated with long-term illness, disability, or certain progressive conditions.
The benefit is divided into two components: daily living and mobility. Each component has a standard and an enhanced rate.
According to the payment figures provided in the report, the weekly rates are as follows:
| PIP Component | Standard Rate | Enhanced Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Daily living | £76.55 | £114.80 |
| Mobility | £30.20 | £80.10 |
The daily living component supports people who experience difficulties with activities such as preparing food, washing, dressing, communicating, and managing medication.
The mobility component helps people who have difficulties planning or following journeys, or moving around.
A claimant may qualify for one component or both, depending on the assessment. Someone receiving the enhanced daily living rate and the enhanced mobility rate could receive £194.90 per week using the rates listed above.
The official GOV.UK PIP guidance explains the benefit, its components, and the application process.
Eligibility
PIP eligibility is based on the effect of a health condition on a person’s daily life, rather than the diagnosis alone.
This means that two people with the same respiratory condition may receive different decisions. One person may experience relatively limited difficulties, while another may need substantial support with everyday activities.
The DWP assesses how a claimant manages specific daily living and mobility activities. The difficulties must generally have been present for at least three months and be expected to continue for at least another nine months.
The assessment also considers whether difficulties occur on the majority of days.
PIP is not means-tested. A person’s employment status, savings, or National Insurance contribution history do not automatically prevent them from qualifying.
However, PIP is generally available to people who are below State Pension age when they make a new claim. Existing recipients may continue receiving the benefit after reaching State Pension age, subject to the applicable rules.
The official PIP eligibility guidance provides further details about the conditions and circumstances that may affect a claim.
Conditions
The DWP figures cited in the report identify 24 respiratory conditions associated with PIP claims as of April 2026.
The following list includes the reported number of claims associated with each condition.
| No. | Respiratory Condition | Claims |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Obstructive sleep apnoea | 4,160 |
| 2 | Other or unspecified upper respiratory tract diseases | 1,599 |
| 3 | COPD, chronic bronchitis and emphysema | 92,337 |
| 4 | Bronchiectasis | 2,873 |
| 5 | Cystic fibrosis | 3,148 |
| 6 | Asthma | 26,581 |
| 7 | Extrinsic allergic alveolitis | 40 |
| 8 | Fibrosing alveolitis | 45 |
| 9 | Other or unspecified pulmonary fibrosis | 1,718 |
| 10 | Asbestosis | 120 |
| 11 | Coalworkers’ pneumoconiosis | 10 |
| 12 | Other or unspecified pneumoconiosis | 52 |
| 13 | Silicosis | 13 |
| 14 | Other granulomatous lung disease and pulmonary infiltration | 1,899 |
| 15 | Sarcoidosis | 2,795 |
| 16 | Empyema | 144 |
| 17 | Other or unspecified pleural diseases | 152 |
| 18 | Pleural effusion | 85 |
| 19 | Pneumothorax | 254 |
| 20 | Lung transplantation | 151 |
| 21 | Heart and lung transplantation | 42 |
| 22 | Pulmonary embolus | 1,689 |
| 23 | Pneumonia | 710 |
| 24 | Other or unspecified lower respiratory tract diseases | 4,118 |
The figures show that COPD, chronic bronchitis and emphysema account for the largest number of respiratory-related claims, followed by asthma.
These figures represent claims associated with the conditions, not necessarily the number of people who have been newly approved for PIP. The data also does not mean that everyone with one of the listed conditions is automatically entitled to payments.
Assessment
The PIP assessment focuses on how a person’s health condition affects their ability to carry out specific activities.
For respiratory conditions, difficulties may include becoming breathless while preparing meals, needing assistance with washing and dressing, or being unable to walk certain distances without stopping to rest.
Medical evidence can help explain these limitations. Applicants may provide information from their GP, respiratory specialist, hospital consultant, or other healthcare professionals.
The DWP may also consider how frequently difficulties occur and whether the claimant can complete activities safely, repeatedly, within a reasonable time, and to an acceptable standard.
The DWP’s official PIP statistics provide information about claims, awards, and the number of people receiving the benefit.
Outlook
The latest figures highlight the number of people receiving disability-related support for respiratory conditions across the UK.
For people living with long-term breathing difficulties, PIP may provide financial assistance with the additional costs associated with managing their condition.
However, the benefit is not awarded simply because a person has a particular diagnosis. The DWP considers the practical impact of the condition on daily living and mobility.
Anyone considering a claim should review the official eligibility guidance and provide evidence explaining how their respiratory condition affects their everyday activities.
The assessment process is intended to reflect individual circumstances, meaning that the level of support can vary significantly between people with the same diagnosis.
