DWP makes major change to PIP benefit claims across 164 postcodes - see full list of areas

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has made a major change to how Brits can apply for the disability benefit Personal Independence Payment (PIP).

The benefits department has been trialling an online application process for the benefit in certain areas of the UK and it has now rolled it out to over 160 postcodes across England. The goal is to expand it to all areas in England, Wales and Northern Ireland by 2024.

In a recent written response, the minister for disabled people, health and work, Tom Pursglove explained that the initial postcodes were "carefully selected" to ensure they are "representative of the wider population". The minister noted that the DWP would "robustly evaluate the impact of the service” as it was “vital that we develop an online claim service that works for all claimants”.

He said: "Limiting the number of claimants during the testing phase means we can test the functionality and stability of the new service, learning and making improvements before we gradually and carefully increase the number of people who can use it."

In a new update, the department has published the postcodes where the online service is currently running - these will be listed at the bottom of this article.

You can check if you are able to apply for PIP online through the How to Claim GOV.UK page here. The DWP says there is a postcode checker that will be "constantly updated". To start your claim online you will need your National Insurance number, email address and mobile phone. Currently, more than 3,000 people have applied for PIP online.

PIP is a benefit paid by the DWP to people who have long-term mental or physical health conditions or disabilities. PIP is only awarded in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Those living in Scotland are paid Adult Disability Payment (ADP) instead. According to the latest data, around three million people in the UK claim the money.

At the moment, to make a claim for PIP you will need to call the claim line on 0800 917 2222 between Monday to Friday from 8am to 5pm and request an application form. This will then be sent to you to fill out.

Full list of postcodes which can apply for PIP online

• B16
• B18
  
• B21
  
• B42
  
• B66
  
• B67
  
• B68
  
• B69
  
• B70
  
• B71
  
• BD11
  
• BD12
  
• BD4
  
• BH1
  
• BH10
  
• BH11
  
• BH12
  
• BH13
  
• BH14
  
• BH15
  
• BH16
  
• BH17
  
• BH18
  
• BH2
  
• BH22
• BH3
• BH4
  
• BH5
  
• BH6
  
• BH7
  
• BH8
  
• BH9
  
• BN20
  
• BN22
  
• BN23
  
• CB11
  
• CM24
  
• CW12
  
• DE21
  
• DE7
  
• DE72
  
• DE75
  
• DY11
  
• DY13
  
• E11
  
• E12
  
• E18
  
• E7
  
• GL1
  
• GL10
  
• GL5
  
• HD1
  
• HD4
  
• HP23
  
• HR7
  
• HR8
  
• IG1
  
• IG2
  
• IG3
  
• IG4
  
• IG5
  
• IG6
  
• IG7
  
• IG8
  
• IG9
  
• IP10
  
• IP11
  
• IP12
  
• IP13
  
• IP15
  
• IP16
  
• IP17
  
• IP18
  
• IP19
  
• IP20
  
• IP3
  
• IP4
  
• IP5
  
• IP6
  
• KT10
  
• KT12
  
• KT6
  
• KT7
  
• KT8
  
• KT9
  
• L10
  
• L21
  
• L22
  
• L23
  
• L29
  
• L30
  
• L38
  
• L9
  
• LE13
  
• LN10
  
• LN11
  
• LN12
  
• LN13
  
• LN9
  
• LU1
  
• LU2
  
• LU3
• LU4
• LU7
  
• M15
  
• M16
  
• M23
  
• M31
  
• M32
  
• M33
  
• M41
  
• NE1
  
• NE2
  
• NE4
  
• NE5
  
• NE98
  
• NG10
  
• NG15
  
• NG17
  
• NR31
  
• NR32
  
• NR33
  
• NR34
  
• NR35
  
• PE21
  
• PE23
  
• PE24
  
• PE25
  
• PE34
  
• RG14
  
• RG20
  
• RG21
  
• RG22
  
• RG23
  
• RG24
  
• RH7
  
• RH8
  
• RM10
  
• SG7
  
• SK11
  
• SO24
  
• ST13
  
• TN8
  
• TW16
  
• TW17
  
• WA14
  
• WA15
  
• WF13
• WF15
• WF16
  
• WF17
  
• WR13
  
• WR14
  
• WR2
  
• WR5
  
• WR6
  
• WS6
  
• YO11
  
• YO12
  
• YO13
  
• YO14
  
• YO22
  
• YO25
  
• CM17