You may be eligible for £156 per week if you have any of these 87 health conditions

You could be eligible for up to £156 a week in Personal Independence Payment (PIP) if you struggle with certain musculoskeletal conditions. The UK’s Department of Works and Pensions (DWP) has listed some 87 of these conditions which you could claim PIP if it affects your ability to work.

Musculoskeletal condition

According to the NHS, musculoskeletal conditions can include back pain, neck or arm strains and diseases of the joints. They could be injuries and disorders that affect your muscles, ligaments, nerves and tendons.

Many of these conditions fall under the general term, arthritis. Some common musculoskeletal conditions include osteoarthritis, back pain, rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, osteoporosis, gout, polymyalgia rheumatica, lupus and ankylosing spondylitis, the Daily Record reports.

Those whose ability to work is limited by their symptoms may also be eligible for 'new style' Employment and Support Allowance (ESA). This benefit helps people with daily living costs and supports them in getting back into work if they are able to.

Covid-19 and MSK

Data from the DWP shows that at the end of October last year, over 3 million Brits were claiming PIP. The support can be worth between £24.45 and £156.90. NHS Employers’ statistics indicate that

470,000 workers suffer from MSK symptoms and 85,000 of these stated symptoms were caused or made worse by the Covid-19 pandemic.

MSK symptoms are often caused by work-related injuries such as incorrect handling, or not having equipment in the workplace personally adjusted. With a recent increase in staff working from home, unsuitable home office set-up has also been a large contributor to the issue.

In this article on the Daily Record, there is a list of all the 87 musculoskeletal conditions.

Sources used:

NHS Employers: Musculoskeletal health in the workplace

Daily Record: Claim PIP for 87 muscle or joint conditions and you could get up to £156 each week tax-free

Stoke on Trent Live: DWP may pay you £156 a week in PIP if you have one of 87 muscle or joint conditions