MILLIONS of people claiming Personal Independence Payment (PIP) are missing out on extra discounts, savings and financial help worth thousands of pounds.
If you live with a long-term illness, disability, or mental health condition, you may qualify for this benefit and once you’re awarded, it unlocks a whole host of additional perks.
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PIP is designed to help with daily living or mobility needs.
It has two components, daily living and mobility, and each comes in two payment levels: standard and enhanced.
Current PIP weekly rates (2025/26):
- Daily living: £73.90 (standard) or £110.40 (enhanced)
- Mobility: £29.20 (standard) or £77.05 (enhanced)
You can claim one or both parts, depending on your circumstances.
The maximum weekly payment is £187.45, if you qualify for both components at the enhanced rate.
But that’s just the start. Once you’re on PIP, you could be eligible for a wide range of extra financial support, from council tax discounts to transport savings.
Here’s a full list of what you can claim in September 2025, who is eligible, and how to apply.
1. Council Tax discount – save up to £2,280 a year
If you receive PIP (daily living or mobility component), you could be entitled to a discount or exemption on your council tax.
The average Band D council tax in England for 2025/26 is £2,280, according to government figures.
Some councils offer partial reductions, while others grant a full exemption.
How to apply: Contact your local council (find yours at gov.uk/find-local-council) and provide your PIP award letter.
2. Vehicle tax exemption or discount – save up to £165 a year
- Enhanced rate mobility: full exemption from vehicle tax (worth around £165 a year).
- Standard rate mobility: 50% off vehicle tax (savings of roughly £80).
How to apply: Send your PIP award letter, vehicle log book (V5C) and a V10 form to DVLA, Swansea, SA99 1BF, or apply via your local Post Office.
3. Blue Badge parking – save around £100 a year
A Blue Badge lets you park closer to entrances, use disabled bays, and park on single or double yellow lines (with some restrictions).
Disability charity Scope estimates holders save about £100 a year in parking costs.
How to apply: Apply through your local council. Badges cost up to £10 in England and Northern Ireland, or £20 in Scotland.
Be sure to provide your PIP award letter when applying.
4. Disability benefit top-ups – worth up to £82.90 a week per person
If you get PIP, you may qualify for extra disability premiums on other benefits such as Income Support, Jobseeker’s Allowance, or Pension Credit.
- Disability premium: £43.20 (single) or £61.65 (couple).
- Severe disability premium: up to £82.90 per week per person.
How to apply: Contact the office managing your main benefit and ask to add the disability premium. Show your PIP award letter.
5. Working Tax Credit backpayments – worth hundreds
If you claimed PIP before 5 April 2025 and were waiting for a decision, you may qualify for a backdated lump sum of Working Tax Credit.
HMRC allows successful claimants to receive the payments they missed while waiting.
How to apply: Call HMRC on 0345 300 3900 (Relay UK: 18001 0345 300 3900). Lines open Mon–Fri, 8am–6pm.
What is PIP?
HOUSEHOLDS suffering from a long-term illness, disability or mental health condition can get extra help through personal independence payments (PIP).
The maximum you can receive from the Government benefit is £172.75 a week.
PIP is for those over 16 and under the state pension age, currently 66.
Crucially, you must also have a health condition or disability where you either have had difficulties with daily living or getting around – or both- for three months, and you expect these difficulties to continue for at least nine months (unless you’re terminally ill with less than 12 months to live).
You can also claim PIP if you’re in or out of work and if you’re already getting limited capability for work and work-related activity (LCWRA) payments if you claim Universal Credit.
PIP is made up of two parts and whether you get one or both of these depends on how severely your condition affects you.
You may get the mobility part of PIP if you need help going out or moving around. The weekly rate for this is either £26.90 or £71.
While on the daily living part of PIP, the weekly rate is either £68.10 or £101.75 – and you could get both elements, so up to £172.75 in total.
You can claim PIP at the same time as other benefits, except the armed forces independence payment.
Make a claim by calling the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) on 0800 917 2222.
6. Motability Scheme – save £1,200+ a year
If you receive enhanced rate mobility and have at least 12 months left on your PIP award, you can lease a car, scooter or powered wheelchair through Motability.
The scheme covers vehicle tax, insurance, servicing, and breakdown cover, worth around £1,230 a year.
How to apply: Visit motability.co.uk or call 0300 456 4566 for an information pack.
7. Disabled Person’s Railcard – save £126 a year
The railcard gives you one-third off train fares across Britain. Regular users save around £126 a year.
It costs £20 for adults, or £14.50 for children aged 5–15.
How to apply: Apply online at disabledpersons-railcard.co.uk or at major train stations.
8. Free or discounted bus travel – save £150–£200 a year
Many councils offer free or discounted bus passes for PIP claimants, particularly those receiving the mobility component.
Savings vary depending on local fares, but councils estimate average savings of £150–£200 annually.
How to apply: Apply through your local council. In Scotland, apply for a National Entitlement Card.
9. Water bill support (WaterSure scheme) – save around £150 a year
If you use more water because of a medical condition and receive PIP, you could qualify for WaterSure, which caps your bill.
This can save about £150 a year.
It is available in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland (not Scotland).
How to apply: Contact your water supplier and ask about WaterSure. You’ll need proof of your PIP award and your medical condition.
10. Disabled Facilities Grant – worth up to £36,000
Grants can help pay for home adaptations such as ramps, stairlifts or accessible bathrooms.
- England: up to £30,000
- Wales: up to £36,000
- Northern Ireland: up to £25,000
(Scotland runs a separate scheme through health and social care services.)
How to apply: Contact your council’s housing or social services team. An occupational therapist usually carries out an assessment.
11. Free NHS prescriptions – save up to £114.50 a year
PIP itself doesn’t entitle you to free prescriptions, but if your condition qualifies, you can get a medical exemption certificate.
This saves up to £114.50 a year compared to paying for a pre-payment certificate.
How to apply: Ask your GP for an FP92A form.
