Personal independence payment
It's worth £1,000s if you've a long-term health condition
Personal independence payment (known as PIP) provides non-means-tested help if you're aged 16 to 66 and have a health condition that makes everyday tasks difficult. It can be worth up to £9,500 a year as well as being a gateway to other forms of help – yet PIP often goes unclaimed with 100,000s thought to be missing out. Here's what you need to know.
This is the first iteration of this guide. If you've feedback, let us know in the PIP forum thread.
Are you over state pension age? If you're aged 66+ and not already receiving personal independence payment, you can't submit a new claim. But other help may be available – check if you can get Attendance allowance instead.
PIP provides financial help if you've a long-term physical or mental health condition
Personal independence payment (commonly known as PIP) is a four-weekly payment to help you manage if you’ve a long-term illness, disability or mental health condition.
PIP is worth over £9,500 per year, tax-free, and you can get it whatever your income. How much you get is based on how your condition impacts your life. The benefit is made up of two components – you can get one or both:
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The ‘daily living component’ – this is for the extra daily help you need for things such as preparing food, washing, getting dressed or communicating with other people.
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The ‘mobility component’ – this is for the extra help you need getting around. This can include moving, planning a journey or following a route.
For each component there are two rates: 'higher' and 'lower', depending on how severe your condition is.
PIP COMPONENT | WEEKLY AMOUNT |
|---|---|
Daily living component (lower rate) | £73.90 |
Daily living component (higher rate) | £110.40 |
Mobility component (lower rate) | £29.20 |
Mobility component (higher rate) | £77.05 |
Personal independence payment eligibility criteria
You can get Personal Independence PIP if all of the following apply to you:
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Over 16, and under state pension age (currently 66).
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You have a health condition that affects your ability to do everyday tasks or move about independently
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Your health condition has to have been going on for at least three months
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You expect your health condition to continue for at least nine more months unless you're terminally ill.
Financial support charity Turn2Us have developed a free online tool that can be used to see if you're likely to be eligible (and if so, how much you might get).
Your income, savings, and whether you’re working or not don't affect your eligibility.
There isn’t a definitive set of medical conditions that make you eligible for PIP. Instead, it depends on how your condition or disability actually affects your daily life and mobility. This includes things like washing, dressing, shopping, making important decisions and getting from one place to another. You'll be assessed on a points system: the more difficulty you have the more 'points' you'll get.
The DWP has released the main categories of qualifying disabilities and how many people claimed PIP for that disability. These 21 categories encompass 547 different conditions – and these can be found here.
The most common conditions are:
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Psychiatric conditions, such as anxiety, stress, and mood disorders
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Musculoskeletal diseases, such as arthritis
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Neurological diseases, such as epilepsy, and MS
If you are terminally ill
If you are terminally ill, and not expected to live for more than 12 months, there are special rules to help you access PIP more quickly and you'll automatically get the higher rate of the daily living component.
To make your claim, call the PIP claim line and organise for your doctor or consultant to send the DWP a medical form called a SR1. See I'm terminally ill, what do I do? for more details.
Someone else can claim on behalf of a person who is terminally ill. For example, because the person doesn’t know that they have a terminal illness.
Live in Scotland? You'll need to apply for Adult Disability Payment
If you live in Scotland, 'Adult Disability Payment' has replaced PIP. Adult Disability Payment (ADP) has most of the same features as PIP, but it's managed by Social Security Scotland rather than DWP.
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The rates are the same as PIP
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ADP is paid every four weeks (unless you’re terminally ill, when it’s paid weekly and in advance)
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If you’re terminally ill, you’ll automatically get the enhanced daily living award
You can apply for ADP online, or by phone and paper – call 0800 182 2222 to start your application (you’ll do part one on the phone, then get sent part two to fill in and send back)
ADP can open up access to a range of additional benefits, including:
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Disability premiums on top of certain benefits. You may get an extra amount (called a premium) on top of certain benefits if you get PIP. These include Income Support, Income-based JSA, and Housing Benefit. The extra amount you get varies depending on which components of ADP you get.
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Disabled Persons Railcard
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Disabled Person's Bus Card (if you get a daily living component)
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Council Tax discounts
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Exemption from benefit cap
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Exemption from Local Housing Allowance shared room rate for under 35s
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Vehicle Tax discount (if you get mobility component)
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Blue Badge (if you get mobility component)
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Access to the Motability Scheme (if you get higher level mobility component). This scheme allows you to lease an adapted car, scooter, or wheelchair
If you have a relative or friends who looks after you, they could be eligible for carer's benefits.
DWP and Social Security Scotland are in the process of moving all Scottish PIP claims over to ADP.
If you currently get PIP you don't need to apply for ADP, DWP and Social Security Scotland will make the move for you.
Your claim won't be reassessed or reviewed during the move, so you'll be paid the same amount and in the same way, and there shouldn't be any gap between your PIP claim ending and your ADP claim starting.
Everyone should be moved over by 2025.
What extra help can I get with ADP
I currently claim PIP, do I need to apply for ADP?
What extra help can I get with PIP?
PIP can open up a world of helpful extras. You may be entitled to extra money on top of your existing benefits, a reduction in your council tax or road tax bills and discounts on travel.
You’ll need your PIP award letter before you can apply for this extra help. This award letter is sometimes called a PIP award notice.
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Benefit top ups – You may get an extra amount (called a premium) on top of certain benefits if you get PIP. These include, Housing Benefit, Jobseeker's Allowance, Income Support, Working Tax Credit. If you get the daily living component you could get a top-up on: Employment and Support Allowance and Pension Credit. To get these premiums added, contact the office in charge your benefits (usually DWP or HMRC) and tell them you're getting PIP.
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Council tax discounts – Let your local council know which component(s) of PIP you get, and it will let you know what level of discount you're eligible for.
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Travel support – When you get your PIP award letter, you can get:
- Disabled Person's Railcard
- Blue Badge in England and Wales
- Vehicle tax discount of 50% – if you get the lower mobility rate
- Vehicle tax discount of 100% – if you get the higher mobility rate
- Access to the Motability scheme – if you get the higher mobility rate
Depending on which council you live in, you may also qualify for free local bus travel in England and Wales.
Three key need to knows before you apply...
Here's what you need to know...
Most new PIP claims can only be made if you're under state pension age. However, if you're already getting PIP, it will continue when you reach state pension age. If a PIP award (made when you’re under pension age) ends after you reach pension age, you can re-claim PIP within 12 months of that claim ending, so long as the new claim relates to substantially the same physical or mental condition.
If you leave it longer than a year or your claim relates to a different condition, you’ll have to claim Attendance Allowance instead.
Most people can't make a new claim for PIP after they reach state pension age. However you may be able to make a new claim if:
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You had a PIP award that stopped in the last year.
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You're getting disability living allowance (DLA) or it stopped in the last year.
You can can get PIP at the same time as all other benefits except Armed Forces Independence Payment. And in some cases if you claim PIP you can get extra "premium" payments on top.
Disability premium payments can be added to existing legacy benefits
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Income Support
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Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
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Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
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Housing benefit
If you’re already claiming Disability Living Allowance
PIP is gradually replacing DLA. If you’re already claiming Disability Living Allowance (DLA), you’ll get a letter from the DWP inviting you to make a claim for PIP. In Northern Ireland, the Social Security Agency will contact you. This will happen even if you have an indefinite or lifetime award of DLA.
The only exception is if you were born on or before 8 April 1948. In this case, you’ll continue to get Disability Living Allowance as long as you qualify for it.
Can I get Universal Credit and PIP at the same time?
Yes. You can get both PIP and Universal Credit at the same time. If you're getting PIP or the DLA, it will continue to be paid along with your UC payment. Your PIP payments will not affect the amount of Universal Credit the DWP pays you. They are separate benefits which are applied independently of each other and have differing qualifying criteria.
If your child has a condition that means they need help you might be able to claim the benefit for your child when they turn 16, regardless of your income or how much you have in savings.
If your child is already getting Disability Living Allowance, you’ll be invited to make a new claim for Personal Independence Payment when they reach age 16.
You can't apply if you're over state pension age
You can get PIP at the same time as most means-tested benefits
You can claim for a child aged 16+
How to claim PIP: step-by-step help
To make a claim, follow these steps...
Step 1: Call the PIP claims line
Call the ‘PIP new claims’ phone line. You’ll then be sent a form that asks about your condition.
PIP new claims phone line:
Telephone: 0800 917 2222
Textphone: 0800 917 7777
Relay UK (if you cannot hear or speak on the phone): 18001 then 0800 917 2222
British Sign Language (BSL) video relay service if you’re on a computer - find out how to use the service on mobile or tablet
Calling from abroad: +44 191 218 7766
Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm
Find out about call charges
In some areas you can now choose to apply for PIP online. Check whether your area is covered on Gov.uk.
Step 2: Gather your vital information
Get ready to fill your form with your key information:
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your contact details, for example telephone number
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your date of birth
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your National Insurance number, if you have one
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your bank or building society account number and sort code
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your doctor or health worker’s name, address and telephone number
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dates and addresses for any time you’ve spent in a care home or hospital
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dates for any time you spent abroad for more than 4 weeks at a time, and the countries you visited
Step 3: Fill in your form with details about your condition
Fill in the form using the guidance that comes with it, and return it within one month to the address on the form. Include supporting documents if you have them – for example, prescription lists, care plans, or information from your doctor or others involved in your care.
You can read Citizens Advice’s help on filling in the form.
Step 4: Attend your assessment
As part of your PIP application, you will have a health assessment. This usually lasts one hour. This is an opportunity for you to talk about how your condition affects you – it's not a diagnosis of your condition or a medical examination. This may be in the telephone or face to face. A health professional will carry out your assessment and then send their report to the DWP for review.
Before the assessment think about: what types of activities you have difficulty with, how your condition affects you from day to day, and what a bad day is like for you.
For each task, the assessor will be considering:
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Whether you can do it safely
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How long it takes you
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How often your condition affects this activity
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Whether you need help to do it
You might be asked to do some simple movements to show how you manage some activities.
The assessment can be in person, over the phone or by video call. If you're asked to do the assessment in person, the DWP has to ensure that the appointment location is within a 90-minute public transport journey (as an absolute maximum) of your home. In most cases you can reclaim your travel costs.
Your ability to carry out each activity is measured against a list of standard statements describing what you can or can’t do. These statements carry a points score ranging from 0 to up to 12. The more difficulty you have, the higher the score you'll be given.
For example, for the activity 'Washing and bathing', if you're able to wash unaided you'd get 0 points. However if you need help to be able to wash your hair you'd be given 2 points. If you cannot wash at all without another person to help, you'd be allocated 8 points.
The tasks fall into two groups – 'daily living' or 'mobility' – which align with the two components of PIP. You need a score of eight in a group to qualify for the lower rate of a component. If you score 12 or more, you will qualify for the higher rate.
When you go to your assessment appointment, take a copy of the form you submitted and any additional medical documents you've received since, such as a report from your doctor, or your prescription list.
You’ll also need to take a form of photo ID, such as a passport, driving license, birth certificate, or credit card.
If you want to, you can also take someone to the assessment with you for support or to take notes. They have to be over 16, but can be a friend, relative, or carer.
If you travel by public transport, you can ask for the cost of the journey from your home to the assessment centre (and back again) to be reimbursed. If you take someone with you to the assessment, their travel costs can also be reimbursed but only if they travel with you.
If you travel by car, you can claim back the cost of parking plus 25p per mile can be claimed towards the cost of fuel.
You'll have to pay the cost of the journey first and then ask for the money back. At your assessment ask for a travel expenses claim form and a pre-paid envelope. You can't get your expenses paid before the assessment.
If you want to travel by taxi, you must get the centre to pre-approve your journey before the assessment. If you do not, they may not pay you back the cost of your taxi fare.
You can ask for adjustments before you go. Some of the things you might want to consider:
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Is the assessment on the ground floor, or is there a lift?
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Do you worry about enclosed spaces?
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Do you need an interpreter?
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Is the gender of assessor important?
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Would you like the assessment to be recorded?
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If your GP normally visits you at home, you can ask for the assessment to take place at your home or over the phone.
How will I be assessed?
What do I need to bring to my assessment?
Can I get help with travel costs?
Can I ask for adjustments?
Benefits and Work has a free online version of the PIP health assessment, which allows you to score yourself for the daily living and mobility components of PIP. See what you might get.
Step 5: Get a decision
You’ll get an 'award letter' that tells you whether you’ll get PIP and when to expect your first payment.
Official guidance does not give a time frame for how long you will wait. However, the DWP has said in 2023 the average wait for new PIP claims was 13 weeks – about three months – including time for claimants to complete and return their questionnaire.
Your claim will be rejected if you miss your assessment.
If you have a good reason, you may be able to ask for the appointment to be rescheduled – but phone up beforehand, don’t just miss it.
How to challenge a decision
If you're rejected for PIP, or believe you're due a higher entitled you can challenge it, by asking for a mandatory reconsideration. This means that the decision has to be looked at by another decision maker.
You must request this within one month of getting your decision.
Important: If you challenge the amount of your award, the DWP might look at your whole PIP claim again. This means they might decide you shouldn’t get PIP at all.
Fill in and send your mandatory reconsideration form
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To apply for a reconsideration you'll need to fill in the CRMR1 mandatory reconsideration request form.
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You can also write a letter to the DWP explaining why you disagree with the decision. You need to do this within one month of getting your decision letter.
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You need to give specific reasons why you disagree with the decision.
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Use your decision letter, statement of reasons and medical assessment report to make a note of what you disagree with and why. Give facts, examples and medical evidence (if available) to support your position.
It is important to note that it is unlikely you will be successful at this stage in the process. Government data reveals that in 2022 almost 9 in 10 mandatory reconsiderations were rejected.
If you're not happy with the outcome of your mandatory reconsideration, you have one month to appeal to an independent panel. An appeal is your chance to put your case before an independent panel. The appeal will look at whether the decision was right at the time it was made – they won’t consider whether your condition has got worse since then.
Nearly 7 in 10 appeals win. So don't back down. The latest figures from the tribunal service show that, between January and March 2023, 68% of PIP appeals found in favour of the claimant.
You can get help with your appeal from your local Citizens Advice or a local disability support agency, but don’t worry if you don’t have a representative. The tribunal board is most interested in hearing how your condition affects you in your own words. Support from a friend or family member can really help, and you can do it without a professional.
You have one month from the date on your mandatory reconsideration notice to appeal to HM Courts and Tribunals Service (HMCTS).You can start your appeal by either:
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on Gov.uk then printing it and posting it to HMCTS
Make sure you complete the whole appeal form otherwise your appeal could be rejected.
For help and advice Citizens Advice has guidance on the entire appeals process.
My mandatory reconsideration was rejected, what now?
FAQs
If you don't have a bank account, you can get your PIP through the payment exception service. This allows you to collect your payment from a Post Office or a PayPoint outlet.
If you have a terminal illness, you'll usually get PIP automatically. The DWP will fast-track your application meaning:
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you won’t have to fill out as many forms
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you won’t have to go to a face to face assessment
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you should get your first payment sooner
To make your claim, call the PIP claim line and organise for your doctor or consultant to send the DWP a medical form called a SR1.
If your doctor or a medical professional has told you that you might have 12 months or less to live, you might also:
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get benefits at a higher rate or get extra money
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start getting your payments quicker than usual
These are sometimes called ‘special rules for end of life’.
Unfortunately PIP cannot be backdated. So it's important to claim as soon as you feel your condition is impacting your daily life.
You must contact the Personal Independence Payment (PIP) enquiry line if:
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your personal details change, for example your name, address or doctor
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the help you need or your condition changes
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your condition has worsened and you’re not expected to live more than 12 months
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you go into hospital or a care home
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you go abroad
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you’re imprisoned or held in detention
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your immigration status has changed, if you’re not a British citizen
PIP enquiry line
Telephone: 0800 121 4433
Textphone: 0800 121 4493
Relay UK (if you cannot hear or speak on the phone): 18001 then 0800 121 4433
British Sign Language (BSL) video relay service if you’re on a computer - find out how to use the service on mobile or tablet
Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm
Find out about call charges
I don't have a bank account, can my PIP be paid in a different way?
What if I'm terminally ill?
Can PIP be backdated?
What should I do if my circumstances change?
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