What is Personal Independence Payment (PIP)?
Personal Independence Payment (PIP) is a UK benefit designed to support people aged 16 or over who are living with a long-term health condition or disability. Its main purpose is to help with some of the extra costs you might face if your condition makes daily living or getting around more difficult. PIP is not means-tested, so your income and savings do not affect your eligibility, and it is available whether you are in or out of work.
You may be able to apply for PIP if you have a physical or mental health condition that has lasted, or is expected to last, at least 12 months. The benefit is made up of two parts: a daily living component and a mobility component. You can receive one or both parts, depending on how your condition affects you.
PIP forms part of the wider system of disability benefits available in the UK, which are designed to provide financial support for people with disabilities or long-term health needs. For a detailed overview of how PIP works and its legal basis under the Welfare Reform Act 2012, you can visit the Personal Independence Payment (PIP) resource from The House of Commons Library.
Who Can Apply for PIP?
To qualify for Personal Independence Payment (PIP), you must meet certain eligibility criteria set by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). Generally, you need to be aged 16 or over and under State Pension age, and you must have lived in England, Wales, or Scotland for a set period. Your health condition or disability must have a significant impact on your daily living or mobility for at least three months, and be expected to last for at least nine months.
PIP is available for a wide range of physical and mental health conditions, as well as disabilities and long-term illnesses. The type of condition you have is less important than how it affects your ability to carry out everyday activities. The assessment focuses on the severity and impact of your condition, not just the diagnosis.
For a detailed breakdown of the rules and how to check if you qualify, see our PIP eligibility page.
If you want to understand how different medical conditions may affect your claim, our PIP health condition guides explain what the DWP looks for in common cases. For example, you can find specific advice if you want to claim PIP for a learning disability, claim PIP for anxiety, or claim PIP for diabetes.
For more information on recent updates to the rules, you can read about Eligibility criteria for PIP in the Commons Library briefing.
How to Apply for PIP
Applying for Personal Independence Payment (PIP) involves several important steps. To start your claim, you’ll need to provide personal details, information about your health condition or disability, and supporting documents such as medical evidence or care plans. It’s crucial to fill out all forms accurately, as mistakes or missing details can delay your application.
Once you’ve submitted your claim, most people are asked to attend an assessment to discuss how their condition affects their daily life. This assessment is a key part of deciding if you qualify for PIP.
For a detailed, step-by-step guide – including what documents you’ll need, how to complete the forms, and what happens after you apply – visit our PIP application process page. This guide covers each stage in line with the rules set out by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), so you know what to expect at every step. If you need further practical advice, you can also find helpful information about the PIP application process from Citizens Advice.
Understanding the PIP Assessment and Points System
When you apply for Personal Independence Payment (PIP), you’ll usually have an assessment to help the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) understand how your health condition or disability affects your daily life and mobility. This assessment might be face-to-face, by phone, or sometimes on paper, and is carried out by a health professional.
During the assessment, you’ll be asked about how you manage everyday activities, such as preparing food, washing, dressing, moving around, and communicating. The DWP uses specific criteria, known as “descriptors,” to score your ability to carry out these activities. Each activity is given a set number of points depending on how much help you need.
Your total points for daily living and mobility are added up separately. The number of points you score will determine whether you qualify for PIP, and at what rate. For a detailed breakdown of how points are awarded and how they affect your eligibility, visit our PIP points system page.
To find out more about how the assessment works in practice, including the types of questions you might be asked and what the assessors are looking for, you can read this guide to the PIP assessment process from Disability Rights UK. For further details on how the DWP makes decisions based on your assessment and the points you receive, see the Citizens Advice guide on the PIP points system.
PIP Payment Rates and Financial Support
Personal Independence Payment (PIP) is made up of two parts: the daily living component and the mobility component. Each is designed to help with different extra costs you may face if you have a long-term health condition or disability. Depending on how your condition affects you, you could receive either or both components.
Each component is paid at either a standard rate or an enhanced rate. The amount you receive depends on how you score during your PIP assessment, which looks at how your condition impacts your ability to carry out everyday tasks and get around. The higher your assessment score, the more likely you are to receive the enhanced rate.
PIP payments are usually made every four weeks directly into your bank or building society account. This regular financial support can help cover extra costs such as care needs, mobility aids, or transport.
To find out the most up-to-date and detailed information on current PIP pay rates, including how much you could receive for each component and rate, please visit our dedicated page. You can also refer to PIP payment rates for an overview of the latest figures and further guidance.
PIP Changes, Reviews, and Renewals
Personal Independence Payment (PIP) is not a one-off benefit – your award can be reviewed or reassessed at various points. Reviews are usually scheduled before your current PIP award ends, but they can also happen if your circumstances change or if the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) needs to check your ongoing eligibility. The DWP follows specific guidelines under the Social Security (Personal Independence Payment) Regulations 2013 for these reviews.
During a PIP review, you may be asked to complete a form about your current situation and, in some cases, attend another assessment. It’s important to provide up-to-date information about your health and how it affects your daily life. Any changes – such as a worsening or improvement in your condition – can impact your entitlement and payment amount.
If your health changes or your personal circumstances are different, you must report this to the DWP, as it could affect your PIP. You can also request a review if you think your current award does not reflect your needs. If a review leads to a reduction or removal of your payments, you have the right to challenge the decision through the appeals process.
For a step-by-step guide on when and how PIP reviews happen, how to report changes, what to expect during reassessments, and your options if you disagree with a decision, see our detailed page on PIP changes and reviews.
You can also learn more about how PIP reviews and reassessments might affect you, including recent changes in DWP policies and what they mean for claimants.
Challenging a PIP Decision
If you disagree with a decision about your Personal Independence Payment (PIP), you have the right to challenge it. Common reasons for challenging a decision include believing the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) did not fully consider your health condition, or that the award does not reflect how your daily life is affected.
The first step is usually to ask for a mandatory reconsideration, which means the DWP will review your claim again. You must request this within one month of the decision. For more details on this process, see Mandatory reconsideration.
If you are still unhappy after the reconsideration, you can appeal to an independent tribunal. Gathering supporting evidence, such as medical reports or statements from people who know you, can strengthen your case. It’s important to keep to the deadlines and understand your legal rights throughout.
For a step-by-step guide on your options, deadlines, and how to prepare, visit our detailed page on challenging a PIP decision.
How PIP Works with Other Benefits
Personal Independence Payment (PIP) is designed to support people with long-term health conditions or disabilities, and it can be claimed alongside many other benefits. PIP is not means-tested, so it usually does not reduce the amount you receive from income-based benefits such as Universal Credit, Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), or Housing Benefit. However, receiving PIP may increase your entitlement to other support, including premiums or additional elements in these benefits.
Some benefits, like Attendance Allowance or Disability Living Allowance (for adults), cannot be paid at the same time as PIP. There are also special rules and exceptions depending on your circumstances.
PIP can also open the door to extra help, such as the Blue Badge scheme for parking and the Motability Scheme for leasing a vehicle. If you qualify for the mobility component of PIP, you may also be eligible for further help with transport costs.
To get a clearer understanding of how PIP may affect your other benefits and what additional support you could claim, visit our detailed guide on the interplay with other benefits. This guide explains the key rules, helps you manage multiple benefits, and ensures you make the most of the support available.
Additional Resources and Related Benefits
If you’re considering Personal Independence Payment (PIP), it’s helpful to know about other disability benefits and support schemes that may also be available.
One closely related benefit is Disability Living Allowance (DLA). DLA was the main benefit for people with disabilities before PIP was introduced. Today, most adults must apply for PIP instead of DLA, as DLA is now generally only available to children under 16. For a detailed comparison of the two benefits and the transition from DLA to PIP, you can read the Disability Living Allowance (DLA) briefing from the House of Commons Library.
In addition to financial support, you may be eligible for help with mobility and transport. The Blue Badge scheme allows people with disabilities to park closer to their destination. Eligibility for a Blue Badge often takes into account whether you receive PIP, especially if you score highly on the mobility component. You can find out more about Blue Badge eligibility and how PIP affects your chances of qualifying.
Exploring all available support options is important, as you may be entitled to more than one type of help. If you have a long-term health condition or disability, make sure to check your eligibility for different benefits and schemes to get the support you need.
