Certain groups of older people on Personal Independence Payment with lower rate mobility awards may be entitled to extra cash following a tribunal ruling
Linda Howard Money and Consumer Writer and Rory Poulter
12:13, 05 Mar 2026Updated 12:16, 05 Mar 2026
DWP guidance clarifies it only applies to certain PIP claims(Image: SDI Productions via Getty Images)
Some older people claiming a DWP benefit could get more money. Certain groups of elderly individuals on Personal Independence Payment (PIP) with an award for the lower rate of mobility element may be able to request the DWP to reassess their claim. It follows a recent change in legislation. Those over State Pension age may also be eligible for an increased award for the mobility part of PIP even if they have ceased receiving the benefit.
However, the change in law only relates to claimants over State Pension age and their entitlement to the enhanced mobility award. Department for Work and Pensions guidance clarifies it only applies to PIP claims that were reviewed between April 8, 2013 and November 20, 2020.
This legal amendment follows a tribunal ruling on May 22, 2020 which highlighted an unintentional gap in regulation 27 of the Social Security (Personal Independence Payment) Regulations 2013.
People over State Pension age may also be entitled to an increased award for the mobility part of PIP.(Image: Getty )
The guidance states: “DWP did not have the legal powers to restrict the mobility award for claimants who were in receipt of the standard rate of the mobility award and over State Pension age, on the grounds of new medical evidence. New medical evidence is a report from a health professional requested by DWP which recommended the enhanced rate of the mobility award.
“DWP were only able to restrict the mobility award for claimants if a relevant change in circumstances was identified after they reached State Pension age.”
Amendments to PIP regulations came into effect from November 30, 2020 to rectify this unintentional gap. The DWP is urging anyone who believes they may have been affected to request a review of their claim, reports the Daily Record.
Who might qualify for the PIP enhanced mobility rate?
The DWP previously relied on a health professional report when assessing your claim, and if you hadn’t reported a change in your mobility requirements, you may be entitled to an uplift in your mobility award.
This is because the DWP should not have informed you it couldn’t be increased due to reaching State Pension age – meaning you could have received additional money.
The enhanced mobility rate is currently valued at £77.05 per week during this financial year, totalling £308.20 every four-week payment period. An enhanced mobility rate award could also allow someone to access the Motability Scheme, assisting them with transportation.
PIP and Adult Disability Payment rates 2026/27
The new payment rates will start on April 6.
Daily Living component
Enhanced: £114.60 (from £110.40)Standard: £76.70 (from £73.90)
Mobility component
Enhanced: £80.00 (from £77.05)Standard: £30.30 (from £29.20)Eligibility
You may be entitled to an increased award for the mobility component of your PIP, even if you’ve stopped receiving PIP, if all of the following conditions apply:
you had your PIP claim reviewed between April 8, 2013 and November 20, 2020you were over State Pension ageyou received the standard rate of the mobility awardyou did not report a change in your circumstances that affected your mobility needsyou had a health professional assessmentyou continued to receive the standard rate of the mobility awardyour decision letter told you we could not increase your mobility award because you were over State Pension age
The DWP has also stated previously that if you’re currently receiving PIP, they won’t reduce your award due to this change. However, it added it cannot re-examine any decisions made by a tribunal.
How to apply
Contact the PIP enquiry line on 0800 121 6579 and say you are enquiring about the ‘Regulation 27 administrative exercise review’.
You will need your National Insurance number. You can also contact them by post, full details are on the GOV.UK website here.