Claim PIP for generalised osteoarthritis
In 2024, there were 192,509 PIP claimants with generalised osteoarthritis listed as their main disabling condition. This makes it the third most common condition to get an award of PIP for out of over 500 conditions listed by the DWP. It is worth noting that the DWP have separate statistics for arthritis of the hip, knee and other single joint meaning that the total number of awards for all types of osteoarthritis is 265,430.
So, if you have generalised osteoarthritis and it affects your daily living activities, such as cooking, washing, dressing or mixing with other people or your ability to get around, you should definitely consider making a claim.
Success rates
The success rate for PIP claims for generalised osteoarthritis is 72%, compared to an overall average of 53%. So your chances of an award if you have this condition are very high.
Award rates
23% of PIP claimants with generalised osteoarthritis get the enhanced rate of both the daily living and the mobility component.
Daily living awards
Enhanced daily living 31%
Standard daily living 67%
No daily living 2%
Mobility awards
Enhanced mobility 43%
Standard mobility 34%
No mobility 23%
98% of claimants with generalised osteoarthritis who get an award get the daily living component, compared to 77% who get the mobility component.
Age range
The ages of those currently in receipt of PIP for generalised osteoarthritis are:
16-29 years 0%
30-49 years 7%
50-64 years 47%
65 and over 46%
PIP rates
The rates of PIP from April 2024 are:
Daily Living component
Standard rate: £72.65
Enhanced rate: £108.55
Mobility component
Standard rate: £28.70
Enhanced rate: £75.75
So, an award of the enhanced rate of PIP for both components means an extra £184.30 a week.
PIP is paid on top of almost every other benefit and may lead to an increase in some benefits or entitlement to additional benefits.
The enhanced rate of the mobility component also gives access to the Motability scheme.
Learn more or take the test
You can read more about claiming PIP for generalised osteoarthritis or take our simple online test now to find out if you might be able to make a claim.
How you qualify for PIP
This information applies to England, Wales and Northern Ireland – Scotland has a separate system. You need to be aged at least 16 before you can receive PIP and you need to start your claim before you reach state pension age.
The best way to decide whether you might be eligible for PIP is to look through this list of PIP activities and think about the ways that your condition affects your ability to carry them out. You are awarded points according to the level of difficulty you have with each of these activities, with sufficient points leading to an award of PIP.
Daily living activities
Preparing food
Taking nutrition
Managing therapy or monitoring a health condition
Washing and bathing
Managing toilet needs or incontinence
Dressing and undressing
Communicating verbally
Reading and understanding signs, symbols and words
Engaging with other people face-to-face
Making budgeting decisions
Mobility activities
Planning and following journeys
Moving around
Remember that you need to be able to complete the activities
to a reasonable standard,
safely,
repeatedly
taking no more than twice as long as it would take a person without a health condition.
Points for generalised osteoarthritis
Below are some examples of the issues that you might have because of generalised osteoarthritis. Do remember, that if you have other conditions, you can take those into account too.
Due to pain, tenderness or stiffness in your hips or knees, you may be unable to stand for very long in the kitchen. You might need an aid, such as a perching stool, to help you.
If you are prone to stumbles or falls because of your knees giving way, you may need another person to supervise you in the kitchen to keep you safe when cooking.
If you have pain, swelling or limited movement in your hands, you may be unable to cut up food, even with an aid. You may need another person to cut up your food for you.
Due to pain, stiffness or restricted movement in your hands, you may be unable to get medication out of the packet or bottle, even if you try to use an aid. You may need another person to get your medication out for you.
Due to pain, stiffness or tenderness in your hips or knees, you may be unable to stand for very long in the shower. You may need a shower seat to sit on or a handrail for support.
Pain and stiffness may make it difficult for you to wipe yourself without either taking more than twice as long as other people or needing assistance.
You may require adapted clothing to enable you to dress yourself without assistance because of the issues with your joints. For example, you might wear a front fastening bra, easy-snap trousers or a wrap around skirt.
You may require a walking aid to help you when walking outdoors but are unable to use one because of pain in your hands or difficulties with gripping.
Benefits and Work members can also download a ‘PIP for Generalised )steoarthritis Supplementary Guide’ with even more examples and case studies, to complement our main guide to claiming PIP.
Take the next step
Claiming PIP isn't easy. And getting the correct award is even harder.
But there are things you can do to greatly increase your chances of getting the right result.
One of them is to use our highly detailed, step-by-step Guide to PIP claims and reviews, which will support you through every stage of the system.
Because filling in the 37 page PIP2 ‘How your disability affects you’ form in as much detail as possible is vital.
It not only means you are giving accurate and consistent evidence from the outset, it also improves your chances of overturning an unfair decision if you have to go to appeal.
Our guide takes you through the PIP2 form, box-by-box, explaining the kind of information you need to put in each one.
Being fully prepared for an assessment is vital too. Knowing what questions you are likely to be asked and what unspoken assumptions may be made based on your answers, unless you deal with them, can make all the difference. Our guide will ensure you are as ready as you possibly can be.
And because we’ve been supporting claimants for 20 years and have a community of thousands of members who keep us updated with their experiences, we can make sure you are prepared for any unfair tactics the DWP might employ.
And we have guides to every other part of your PIP claim too, from mandatory reconsideration, to appeal to review. Plus a forum where you can ask questions, regular news items and more.
So, whether you’ve tried claiming PIP before and been unsuccessful, or you’ve never had any experience of the benefits system, join the Benefits and Work community to give yourself the best possible chance of getting the right award.
Even if you are not ready to subscribe to the site yet, you can download our guide to ‘The First Steps To PIP Success’ for free and also join the 120,000 people who subscribe to our free fortnightly newsletter.
