Personal Independence Payment (PIP)

Personal independence payment (PIP) provides help with extra living costs if you have both:

a disability or long-term physical or mental health condition
trouble getting about or doing certain everyday tasks because of your disability or condition

How does PIP work?

There are two parts to PIP:

money to help with everyday tasks – this is known as the daily living part
money to help you get around – this is known as the mobility part

What does the daily living part cover?

You might get the daily living part if you need help:

making meals
eating and drinking
washing and using the toilet
dressing and undressing
managing medicines or treatments
communicating
reading
socialising
managing your money

What does the mobility part cover?

You might get the mobility part if you need help:

leaving your home
getting about
finding your way around

Mobility issues may be caused by a physical disability or a mental health condition, like anxiety, that means you struggle getting out and about.

Do I qualify for PIP?

There are certain criteria you must meet to qualify for PIP.

Check out our guide on the eligibility criteria for PIP to find out more.

How much PIP will I get?

There are two PIP rates: the lower weekly rate and the higher weekly rate.

Which one you get will depend on how much you struggle to:

carry out everyday tasks
get about

The current rates are:

	Lower weekly rate	Higher weekly rate
Daily living part	£72.65	£108.55
Mobility part	£28.70	£75.75

PIP is tax free.

illustration of woman holding laptop surrounded by coins

How do I claim PIP?

You can start a PIP claim by phone or post. In some areas, you can also apply online.

Find all the details you need to start your PIP claim.

What does a PIP assessment involve?

A PIP assessment is an opportunity for you to explain how your condition affects you. It isn’t a medical examination or a diagnosis of your condition.

Find out more in our guide on How to claim PIP.

FAQs

Disability living allowance (DLA) for adults is being replaced by PIP (in England and Wales) and adult disability payment (in Scotland).

Parents and guardians in England or Wales can still apply for DLA for children.

If you already get DLA and were born on or before 8 April 1948, you’ll continue to get DLA as long as you’re eligible for it.

If you were born afterwards, your DLA will end. You’ll get a letter telling you what you need to do when this happens.

During your PIP assessment, you’ll be scored on your ability to complete certain daily living tasks and certain mobility tasks. Your scores will determine if you qualify for the daily living payment and/or the mobility part and at what rate.

The daily living tasks you’ll be assessed on are:

• preparing food
• eating/drinking
• managing your condition and treatment
• washing
• going to the toilet
• dressing and undressing
• spoken communication
• reading
• face-to-face communication
• budgeting

The daily mobility tasks you’ll be assessed on are:

• planning and completing journeys
• moving around

To get an award for one or both components, you’ll need to score:

• 8 points for the standard rate
• 12 points for the enhanced rated

Take the PIP test to see how you might score.

If your doctor thinks you may be reasonably expected to live for less than a year, you can apply for PIP using a fast-track process called special rules.

You should get your first payment within two weeks of applying.

To make your claim, call the PIP claim line and organise for your doctor to send the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) a medical form called an SR1.

You must contact the PIP enquiry line if:

• your personal details change e.g. name, address or doctor
• there's a change in your condition or the help you need
• your condition gets worse and you’re not expected to live more than a year
• you go into hospital or a care home
• you're going abroad for more than four weeks
• you go to prison
• your immigration status changes (if you’re not a British citizen)