Personal Independence Payment (PIP)

Personal Independence Payment (PIP) helps with the extra costs of living with a long-term physical or mental health condition or disability. You do not have to spend it on anything in particular.

Who can get PIP?

You may be able to get PIP if all of these apply:

• you are 16 or over and under State Pension age
• you have a health condition or disability that makes it hard to do everyday tasks or get around
• you have had these difficulties for at least 3 months and expect them to last at least 9 more months
• you live in England or Wales and have lived in Great Britain for at least 2 of the last 3 years (there are some exceptions)

You do not need to have paid National Insurance, and it does not matter whether you work.

If you are terminally ill and may have 12 months or less to live, there are special rules that make it faster and easier to claim.

The two parts of PIP

PIP has two parts. You can get one, or both.

• Daily living part: for help with things like preparing food, washing, dressing, managing medicines, talking to people and managing money.
• Mobility part: for help with planning a journey and moving around.

Each part is paid at a standard or an enhanced rate. The rates are shown above.

How PIP is decided: points

PIP uses a points system. The DWP looks at 12 activities: 10 for daily living and 2 for mobility. For each activity, it picks the statement that best describes you, and each statement is worth between 0 and 12 points.

Read the 12 PIP activities explained, or try our free self-check to see which statements may apply to you.

Two rules that make a big difference

Most days. A statement applies if it is true on more than half of days. If your condition changes a lot, think about the whole year, not just good days.

Reliably. You only count as able to do something if you can do it safely, to a good enough standard, as often as you need to, and in a reasonable time. If a task causes a lot of pain, takes you much longer, or wipes you out afterwards, that counts.

How to claim

1. Start your claim by phone on 0800 917 2222, or online at GOV.UK.
2. Fill in the "How your disability affects you" form, which the DWP will send you.
3. Have an assessment with a health professional, usually by phone, video or face to face.
4. Get a decision letter from the DWP.

See our step by step guide on how to claim PIP, or download our free guide to filling in the PIP form (PDF).

What PIP can lead to

Getting PIP can open the door to other help, such as:

• a Blue Badge for parking
• the Motability Scheme, if you get the enhanced mobility rate
• Carer's Allowance for someone who cares for you
• extra money in some means-tested benefits, such as Pension Credit or Housing Benefit
• a Disabled Persons Railcard, and possibly a free bus pass from your council
• not being affected by the benefit cap

If you disagree with a decision

Many decisions are changed when people challenge them. You have one month from the date on your decision letter to ask the DWP to look again. Read how to challenge a PIP decision.