Thousands of people across the UK live with skin conditions and related disorders that can affect their ability to manage everyday activities. For some, the impact goes beyond discomfort or visible symptoms, making tasks such as washing, dressing, preparing meals and moving around more difficult. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) administers Personal Independence Payment (PIP), a disability benefit designed to help eligible people meet some of the additional costs associated with these challenges.
DWP figures cited in the supplied report identify 24 skin-related conditions associated with 28,110 PIP claims as of April 2026. The figures include conditions such as psoriasis, eczema, cellulitis, lymphoedema and Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. However, having one of these conditions does not automatically qualify someone for PIP. The decision depends on how their health affects their ability to carry out daily living activities and, where relevant, mobility tasks.
The enhanced daily living component is reported at £114.80 a week. Some eligible claimants can receive additional mobility support, potentially increasing their overall payment. Knowing the assessment process, payment rates and official eligibility requirements is important for anyone considering a claim.
Payments
Personal Independence Payment is a UK disability benefit intended to help eligible people with the additional costs of living with a long-term health condition or disability. It is generally available to eligible people aged 16 and over who have not reached State Pension age when making a new claim, subject to the applicable rules.
PIP has two separate components: daily living and mobility. A claimant may qualify for one component or both, depending on how their condition affects their everyday activities.
The daily living component is intended for people who need assistance or experience difficulties with tasks such as preparing food, washing, dressing, managing medication and communicating. The mobility component considers difficulties with planning and following journeys or physically moving around.
According to the supplied figures, the weekly rates are as follows.
| PIP component | Standard rate | Enhanced rate |
|---|---|---|
| Daily living | £76.55 | £114.80 |
| Mobility | £30.20 | £80.10 |
These figures should be checked against the official government payment rates for the relevant benefit year before a claim or household budget is based on them.
A claimant who receives the enhanced daily living rate and enhanced mobility rate could receive £194.90 a week using the figures in the table. That is different from receiving only the enhanced daily living payment of £114.80.
PIP is normally paid every four weeks. Using a simple four-week calculation, £114.80 a week equals £459.20, while £194.90 a week equals £779.60. These are illustrative calculations, not a guarantee of an individual’s entitlement or actual payment dates.
Official information about the benefit is available through the GOV.UK Personal Independence Payment guidance.
Eligibility
Having a diagnosed skin condition is not enough on its own to qualify for PIP. The DWP assesses how a person’s health affects specific daily living and mobility activities, rather than awarding the benefit solely on the basis of a medical diagnosis.
For example, someone with severe eczema may experience pain, cracked skin or inflammation that makes washing and dressing difficult. Another person with the same diagnosis may manage these activities without significant limitations. Their eligibility and award could therefore be different.
The assessment considers whether a person can carry out relevant activities safely, to an acceptable standard, repeatedly and within a reasonable time. The nature, frequency and severity of the difficulties are important when determining whether the claimant meets the applicable criteria.
PIP is not means-tested. Earnings, savings and National Insurance contributions do not determine entitlement in the same way they do for some other benefits. A person may be working and still qualify if they meet the relevant disability-related criteria.
However, claimants must satisfy the applicable rules concerning age, residence, the duration of their difficulties and the effect of their condition. The assessment also considers whether the difficulties are expected to continue for the required period.
Anyone applying should describe the practical effects of their condition rather than relying on the diagnosis alone. Medical records, treatment information and examples of difficulties experienced during ordinary activities may help explain the impact of the condition.
Conditions
The DWP figures cited in the supplied report list 24 skin-related diagnostic categories associated with PIP claims. The list includes inflammatory skin disorders, infections, ulcers, vascular conditions and other disorders affecting skin or connective tissue.
The reported figures are counts of claims associated with each category, not the number of people who automatically qualify for the enhanced daily living rate. A person recorded under one category may receive a different PIP award depending on their individual assessment.
The following table reproduces the categories and claim counts supplied in the report.
| Skin condition or category | Reported claims |
|---|---|
| Cellulitis | 925 |
| Infections – other or type not known | 337 |
| Acne vulgaris | 25 |
| Eczema – varicose | 172 |
| Eczema (dermatitis) | 1,604 |
| Papulosquamous and inflammatory rashes – other or type not known | 993 |
| Psoriasis | 2,362 |
| Rosacea | 29 |
| Urticaria | 286 |
| Bullous disease – other or type not known | 146 |
| Dermatitis herpetiformis | 51 |
| Epidermolysis bullosa | 327 |
| Pemphigoid | 39 |
| Pemphigus vulgaris | 39 |
| Blood vessels/lymphatics – other diseases or type not known | 1,224 |
| Leg ulcers (arterial) | 653 |
| Leg ulcers (venous) | 1,141 |
| Lymphoedema | 6,554 |
| Pressure sores | 18 |
| Chronic venous insufficiency | 161 |
| Collagen and elastic tissue – other diseases or type not known | 169 |
| Ehlers-Danlos syndrome | 7,613 |
| Burns | 778 |
| Skin disease – other or type not known | 2,472 |
| Total reported | 28,110 |
These categories should be understood as diagnostic groupings used in the reported statistics. They are not a government list of conditions that automatically qualify for a particular payment rate.
Impact
Skin conditions can affect everyday life in different ways, depending on their severity, location and treatment requirements.
Eczema and psoriasis, for example, can cause persistent itching, inflammation, discomfort and cracked skin. In more severe cases, these symptoms may interfere with sleep, dressing, washing or preparing food. Some people may also need regular assistance with applying treatments or managing symptoms.
Cellulitis is a bacterial skin infection that can cause pain, redness and swelling. Severe episodes may temporarily restrict movement or make ordinary activities difficult. Recurrent infections or lasting complications can create additional challenges for some individuals.
Lymphoedema involves swelling caused by a build-up of fluid in body tissues. It can affect mobility, clothing choices, personal care and the management of affected limbs. Some people require ongoing compression treatment, skin care or help with daily routines.
Leg ulcers and chronic venous insufficiency may also cause pain, swelling and difficulties with standing or walking. Depending on their condition, people may need help changing dressings, managing wounds or maintaining personal hygiene.
Ehlers-Danlos syndrome is a group of connective tissue disorders that can affect joints, skin and other body systems. Although it is not simply a skin disease, it appears in the supplied list of diagnostic categories. Its effects can include joint instability, pain and other symptoms that may make daily activities more difficult.
These examples illustrate why the DWP’s assessment focuses on functional limitations rather than diagnosis alone. Two people with the same condition may experience very different levels of difficulty and may receive different outcomes.
Assessment
PIP assessments consider the claimant’s ability to complete specified daily living and mobility activities. Each activity has criteria used to determine whether the person needs assistance, supervision, prompting or an alternative way of completing the task.
For daily living, relevant activities include preparing food, eating and drinking, managing treatments, washing, bathing, dressing, communicating and making decisions about money. Mobility assessments consider planning and following journeys as well as moving around.
The assessment is not limited to whether someone can complete an activity once. It also considers whether the activity can be performed reliably, safely, repeatedly and within a reasonable time.
For example, a claimant might be physically able to put on clothing but experience severe pain when handling fabric against inflamed skin. If the difficulty substantially affects their ability to dress reliably, the relevant assessment criteria may be important.
Similarly, someone with a leg ulcer might manage a short walk on one occasion but struggle to repeat the activity because of pain or swelling. The assessment considers the actual functional effects and the applicable rules rather than making a decision based on a single isolated example.
Claimants should provide clear, accurate descriptions of what happens on difficult days and how often those difficulties occur. Information about treatment, recovery time, assistance from another person and the consequences of attempting an activity can help explain the situation.
Applications
People who believe they may qualify can begin by reviewing the official PIP eligibility guidance and following the current application process. The requirements differ according to personal circumstances, and claimants should ensure they meet the relevant age, residence and duration conditions.
When completing an application, it is useful to explain how the condition affects each relevant activity. A statement such as “I have psoriasis” gives limited information about day-to-day limitations. A more detailed explanation might describe how painful skin cracks affect washing, dressing or handling kitchen equipment, if those difficulties genuinely apply.
Supporting evidence may include relevant medical records, treatment plans, prescription information and statements from healthcare professionals or people who provide regular assistance. Evidence should relate to the claimant’s actual functional difficulties and should be accurate.
The DWP considers the information provided alongside the applicable assessment criteria. An application may be refused if the evidence does not establish sufficient limitations, even where the claimant has a recognised medical condition.
People who disagree with a decision may have the right to challenge it through the relevant reconsideration and appeal procedures. The decision letter should explain the available options and applicable deadlines.
Statistics
The supplied report states that 28,110 PIP claims were associated with the 24 listed skin-related categories in April 2026. It also reports that the overall number of PIP claimants rose from 3,926,015 in January 2026 to 4,010,098 in April 2026.
Those figures indicate an increase in the reported total caseload. However, the number of claims recorded against particular conditions should not be confused with the number of people receiving a specific payment rate.
The figures also require careful interpretation because PIP statistics are organised according to administrative and medical categories. Some conditions may be grouped under broader headings, and a claimant’s main recorded condition does not necessarily capture every health issue affecting their daily life.
For the most reliable interpretation, readers should consult the relevant DWP official statistics publications. These publications provide information about the reporting period, definitions and limitations of the data.
Support
The reported list highlights the range of conditions that can be associated with additional daily living or mobility needs. However, the central consideration for PIP remains the effect of a person’s condition on their ability to carry out the activities covered by the assessment.
People with eczema, psoriasis, lymphoedema, ulcers or other listed conditions may wish to review the eligibility rules if their symptoms regularly interfere with everyday tasks. Those already receiving PIP should also report relevant changes in circumstances when required and follow the instructions provided by the DWP.
The enhanced daily living rate of £114.80 a week can provide meaningful assistance to eligible claimants, but it is not a standard payment awarded to everyone with one of the 24 listed conditions. The final decision depends on the individual’s circumstances, supporting evidence and assessment results. Checking official guidance and describing practical difficulties clearly are the most reliable ways to understand whether a claim may succeed.
FAQs
Which skin conditions may be linked to PIP claims?
The reported list includes eczema, psoriasis, cellulitis, lymphoedema and other conditions.
Can skin conditions qualify someone for £114.80 a week?
Potentially, if the claimant meets the enhanced daily living assessment criteria.
Does a skin diagnosis guarantee PIP?
No. The DWP assesses how the condition affects daily living and mobility activities.
Is PIP means-tested?
No. Savings and earnings do not determine PIP eligibility, but other conditions apply.
