Understanding PIP and Health Conditions
Personal Independence Payment (PIP) is a benefit designed to help people in the UK who live with long-term health conditions or disabilities. Its main purpose is to provide extra support for daily living and mobility needs, regardless of whether you are working or have savings. If you want to understand the broader scheme and who can apply, you can read more about Personal Independence Payment (PIP) or visit Benefits if you’re under State Pension age – NHS for an overview.
PIP is available to people with a wide range of physical, mental, and sensory conditions. The benefit is not based on a specific diagnosis but on how your condition affects your ability to carry out certain daily activities and move around. This means that two people with the same health condition might receive different PIP awards, depending on how their individual needs impact their everyday life.
Your eligibility for PIP depends on meeting certain criteria related to your health condition or disability. You can learn more about these requirements on our PIP eligibility page.
When you apply for PIP, your claim is assessed using a points system. Points are awarded based on how much help you need with specific activities, such as preparing food, washing, dressing, or moving around. The total points you score determine whether you qualify for the standard or enhanced rates of PIP. For a detailed explanation, see our guide to the PIP points system or refer to the official PIP assessment guide part 1: the assessment process – GOV.UK.
As part of the application process, most people will be asked to attend a PIP medical assessment. This is where a health professional reviews your case and may ask questions about how your condition affects you day-to-day.
Understanding how your specific health condition affects your daily life is key to a successful PIP claim. It’s important to clearly explain the ways your condition impacts your ability to manage everyday tasks, as this will form the basis of your assessment. For detailed guidance on how PIP is assessed for different conditions, explore our condition-specific guides throughout this page.
How Different Health Conditions Affect PIP Claims
How Different Health Conditions Affect PIP Claims
When you apply for Personal Independence Payment (PIP), the assessment isn’t just based on your diagnosis – it’s focused on how your health condition or disability affects your ability to carry out everyday tasks and move around. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) uses criteria set out in the Social Security (Personal Independence Payment) Regulations 2013, looking at how your symptoms impact your daily living and mobility.
It’s important to describe clearly how your condition affects you. This includes giving details about the difficulties you face with things like preparing food, washing, dressing, managing medication, or getting around. The more specific you are about your symptoms and the help you need, the better your application can reflect your situation.
PIP covers a wide range of physical and mental health conditions, including arthritis, mental health problems, neurological disorders, sensory impairments, and many others. Each condition can affect people differently, so understanding how yours is assessed can make a real difference.
We recommend reviewing advice tailored to your specific health condition. This can help you understand what the DWP is looking for and improve your chances of a successful claim.
Mental Health Conditions
Mental Health Conditions
Mental health conditions, such as depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia, can make daily living and mobility tasks more challenging. Personal Independence Payment (PIP) is designed to support people whose mental health affects their ability to carry out everyday activities or move around independently.
When assessing PIP claims, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) looks at how your mental health condition impacts your ability to manage things like preparing food, making decisions about money, communicating, and engaging with others. The assessment focuses on your needs, not just your diagnosis, and is based on the criteria set out in the Welfare Reform Act 2012 and related PIP regulations.
Claimants with mental health conditions often face unique challenges during the PIP process. It can be difficult to explain how symptoms like low mood, anxiety, or difficulty concentrating affect daily life. Many people also find it hard to gather supporting evidence or feel anxious about attending assessments.
If you’re unsure whether your mental health condition qualifies for PIP, you can find detailed information about the criteria and how your condition might be assessed by visiting the PIP eligibility page from Citizens Advice. This guide explains what the DWP looks for and what evidence can help support your claim.
Claim PIP for ADHD
If you have Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), you may be eligible to claim Personal Independence Payment (PIP) if your symptoms affect your daily living or mobility. PIP assessments focus on how your condition impacts everyday activities, such as managing money, communicating, or planning and following journeys. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) will consider the ways ADHD symptoms like inattention, impulsivity, or hyperactivity make daily tasks more challenging.
To find out more about how to apply, what evidence you’ll need, and how ADHD is assessed under PIP rules, see our detailed guide: Claim PIP for ADHD.
Claim PIP for Anxiety
Living with anxiety can significantly impact your daily life, and it is recognised as a condition that may qualify for Personal Independence Payment (PIP) in the UK. When assessing PIP claims, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) considers how your anxiety affects your ability to carry out everyday activities, such as managing money, communicating, or going out. It’s important to clearly document how your symptoms affect you, including examples of situations where anxiety makes tasks difficult or impossible.
For step-by-step advice on what evidence to provide and how to describe your symptoms effectively, see our detailed guide: Claim PIP for Anxiety.
Claim PIP for Bipolar Disorder
Living with bipolar disorder can have a significant impact on your daily life, and this is recognised in the Personal Independence Payment (PIP) assessment process. When applying for PIP, the focus is on how your mental health condition affects your ability to carry out everyday activities, such as managing money, planning journeys, or interacting with others, rather than the diagnosis itself.
To support your claim, it’s important to provide detailed medical evidence, such as reports from your GP, psychiatrist, or care team, that explains how bipolar disorder affects you. Guidance on the assessment process and tips for gathering the right evidence can make a real difference.
For a step-by-step guide on how to Claim PIP for Bipolar Disorder, including what the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) will consider and how to present your case, visit our dedicated page.
Claim PIP for Depression
Depression can have a significant impact on your ability to carry out daily living activities, which is a key factor in Personal Independence Payment (PIP) assessments. If your depression affects tasks such as preparing meals, managing medication, communicating, or making decisions about money, you may be eligible for support. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) will consider how your symptoms affect your everyday life, not just your medical diagnosis, in line with PIP regulations.
For step-by-step guidance on how to apply, what evidence to provide, and how the assessment works, visit our detailed guide: Claim PIP for Depression.
Claim PIP for OCD
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) can have a significant impact on daily life, affecting both mental and physical tasks. When applying for Personal Independence Payment (PIP), it’s important to show how OCD makes everyday activities – such as managing personal care, preparing meals, or getting around – more difficult. The PIP assessment is based on how your condition affects your ability to carry out specific tasks, not just the diagnosis itself.
If you’re considering a PIP claim for OCD, it’s helpful to keep a detailed record of the challenges you face, including how symptoms like intrusive thoughts or compulsive behaviours disrupt your routine. For more tailored advice on what to include in your application and how OCD is assessed under PIP rules, see our dedicated guide: Claim PIP for OCD.
Physical Health Conditions and PIP Claims
Physical health conditions can have a significant impact on your eligibility for Personal Independence Payment (PIP). The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) assesses how your condition affects your ability to carry out everyday activities, rather than focusing solely on your diagnosis. This means the key factor is how your symptoms – such as pain, fatigue, limited mobility, or difficulty using your hands – affect your ability to complete tasks like preparing food, washing, dressing, or moving around.
When you apply for PIP, you’ll be asked to describe the challenges you face in your daily life. It’s important to be specific about the help you need, how often you need it, and how your condition varies from day to day. The DWP uses a points-based system set out in the PIP regulations to decide if you qualify for the daily living and mobility components of the benefit.
Providing strong medical evidence is crucial. This can include letters from your GP or specialists, care plans, or reports from physiotherapists. Detailed evidence helps explain how your condition affects you and supports your claim. For more information on what counts as good medical evidence, you can refer to official guidance used by clinicians when supporting PIP claims.
If you want to learn more about how specific physical conditions are assessed for PIP, see our guides on individual health conditions for tailored advice.
Claim PIP for Arthritis
Arthritis can have a significant impact on both mobility and daily living, which are the two main areas assessed when applying for Personal Independence Payment (PIP). During the assessment, you will be asked about how your arthritis affects your ability to move around and carry out everyday tasks, such as dressing, washing, or preparing food. Providing clear medical evidence – such as reports from your GP, specialist letters, or details of prescribed treatments – can help support your claim.
To understand exactly how PIP assessments consider arthritis and what you need to include in your application, you can find detailed guidance on how to Claim PIP for Arthritis. For further information on how health professionals carry out PIP assessments, you may also wish to refer to the official PIP assessment guide – GOV.UK.
Claim PIP for Osteoarthritis
If you have osteoarthritis and are considering applying for Personal Independence Payment (PIP), it’s important to understand how your condition is assessed. PIP focuses on how your symptoms – such as joint pain, stiffness, or reduced mobility – affect your ability to carry out daily activities and move around, rather than the diagnosis alone. The assessment will look at how osteoarthritis impacts tasks like preparing food, dressing, or getting around, in line with the criteria set out in the PIP regulations.
For detailed guidance on what to expect and how to present your case, see our dedicated guide: Claim PIP for Osteoarthritis.
Claim PIP for COPD
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) can make everyday activities such as walking, climbing stairs, or even simple household tasks much harder due to breathlessness and fatigue. When applying for Personal Independence Payment (PIP), it’s important to show how your breathing difficulties affect your mobility and your ability to carry out daily living tasks safely and repeatedly, as set out in the PIP assessment criteria under the Social Security (Personal Independence Payment) Regulations 2013.
To support your claim, keep a diary of your symptoms and note any help you need with activities like washing, dressing, or managing medication. Detailed records of how often you feel breathless, any flare-ups, and how your condition limits you can strengthen your application.
For step-by-step guidance on the process, what evidence to include, and how COPD is assessed for PIP, see our dedicated page: Claim PIP for COPD. You can also find further information on how PIP relates to Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) in the PIP health condition guides.
Claim PIP for Crohn’s Disease
Living with Crohn’s disease can bring a range of symptoms that affect daily life, such as pain, fatigue, and unpredictable flare-ups. When applying for Personal Independence Payment (PIP), it’s important to explain how these symptoms impact your ability to carry out everyday activities, especially during periods when your condition worsens. The PIP assessment looks at how your health affects tasks like preparing food, moving around, and managing personal care – rather than focusing on the diagnosis alone.
If you’re considering making a claim, make sure to describe both your good and bad days, including how flare-ups disrupt your routine and independence. For step-by-step advice on how to present your case and what evidence to include, see our dedicated guide: Claim PIP for Crohn’s Disease.
Claim PIP for Diabetes
Living with diabetes can affect your ability to manage daily tasks and get around, both of which are considered in Personal Independence Payment (PIP) assessments. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) will look at how your condition, including any complications like hypoglycaemia, neuropathy, or vision problems, impacts your day-to-day living and mobility. It’s important to clearly explain not just your diagnosis, but also how your treatment – such as insulin management or regular monitoring – affects your independence and safety.
For a detailed step-by-step guide on how to prepare your application and what evidence to include, visit our dedicated page: Claim PIP for Diabetes.
Claim PIP for Epilepsy
Epilepsy is assessed for Personal Independence Payment (PIP) based on how your seizures affect your daily living and mobility, rather than just your diagnosis. When making a claim, it’s important to clearly document the frequency, type, and impact of your seizures – such as whether they affect your ability to prepare meals, manage medication, or get around safely. The PIP assessment follows specific criteria set out in the Social Security (Personal Independence Payment) Regulations 2013, focusing on the practical challenges you face.
For step-by-step guidance on how to record your seizures, what evidence to provide, and how the PIP process works for people with epilepsy, see our dedicated guide: Claim PIP for Epilepsy.
Claim PIP for Fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia is a long-term health condition that causes widespread pain, fatigue, and other symptoms, which can make daily activities challenging. When applying for Personal Independence Payment (PIP), it’s important to explain clearly how your symptoms affect your ability to manage everyday tasks and mobility. The PIP assessment focuses on how your condition impacts your daily living and moving around, rather than the diagnosis itself.
Describing the severity and frequency of pain and fatigue – especially on your worst days – can help ensure your claim is assessed fairly. For more detailed guidance on eligibility, what evidence to provide, and tips for completing your application, see our dedicated guide: Claim PIP for Fibromyalgia.
Claim PIP for Heart Disease
Living with heart disease can affect your ability to carry out daily activities and move around, both of which are key areas assessed when applying for Personal Independence Payment (PIP). The PIP assessment looks at how your condition impacts tasks like preparing food, managing medication, and getting around safely. Providing clear medical evidence – such as reports from your GP, specialist letters, or details about your symptoms – can strengthen your application.
For step-by-step guidance on eligibility, the assessment process, and tips on gathering supporting evidence, visit our dedicated guide: Claim PIP for Heart Disease.
Claim PIP for Stroke
If you have experienced a stroke, you may be eligible for Personal Independence Payment (PIP) if your condition affects your ability to carry out daily living tasks or move around. PIP assessments consider both physical and cognitive impairments, such as difficulties with mobility, communication, memory, or concentration. It’s important to clearly document how your stroke impacts your daily life, including any ongoing symptoms or support needs.
For detailed step-by-step guidance on what evidence to provide and how to approach your application, visit our dedicated page: Claim PIP for Stroke.
