Personal Independence Payment (PIP)

Find out more about PIP and what you might be able to get from it.

What is PIP?

  • It is for people who have a long-term illness, disability, or mental health condition.
  • It is assessed based on your capacity to carry out everyday tasks and get around.
  • You can use the money however you want.

Who can apply?

You can apply if you are:

  • 16 years old or older.
  • Below State Pension age.
  • Have an illness, disability, or mental health condition.

How do I apply

  • Call the PIP new claims line at 0800 917 2222 to ask for a form.
  • Once you get the form you will need to fill it in and send it back.
  • The form has questions which ask you how difficult it is for you to do certain tasks.
  • These tasks are based on your ability to:
    • Do everyday activities.
    • Get around.
  • They will score each activity from 0 to 12.
    • 12 is the most difficult.
    • This is in terms of how difficult it is for you to complete each task.
    • It also in terms of how much help you need.
  • It takes into account both your physical and mental ability.
    • This would include physical disabilities as well as things like anxiety and ADHD.

How am I assessed for PIP?

  • After you have sent your form PIP will arrange an assessment with you.
  • You will be assessed by a health professional.
  • This can take place in person, on the phone or by video call.
    • You will usually have a choice, but they may ask to see you in person.
    • If you have a reason why you can't do it in person they may allow this.
  • They will ask you more questions:
    • This could be about the answers you put down.
    • Or about your health condition.
  • They will decide a final score based on the form and their assessment.
  • They will make a separate score for:
    • Daily living activities.
    • Mobility activities.
  • A score of 8-11 points will get you the standard rate.
  • A score of 12 points will get you the enhanced rate.

Daily living activities

This includes tasks like: 

Preparing and cooking food

  • Can you prepare and cook a simple meal?
  • Do you need help, supervision, or aids like:
    • Perching stools or adapted utensils?

Eating and drinking

  • Can you eat and drink without help?
  • Do you need someone to help you, remind you, or supervise you?

Washing and bathing

  • Can you wash and bathe yourself, including getting in and out of the bath or shower?
  • Do you need help, supervision, or aids?

Other daily living activities

  • Remembering and taking prescribed medication.
  • Using the toilet by yourself.
  • Communicating with and understanding others.
  • Dressing and undressing without help.
  • Managing money like paying bills.
  • Reading and understanding information.

Examples of scores

  • Needing aids or appliances might score 2 points.
  • Needing physical help might score 4-8 points.
  • Not being able to do the activity at all might score 12 points.

Mobility activities

This means your capacity to get around which includes:

  • Planning and following a journey.
    • Like a trip to the shop or the doctor's.
    • Using a vehicle or public transport safely.
    • Follow a route safely without help.
  • Moving around.
    • Being able to walk or use walking aids.
    • Walk safely without severe discomfort, pain, or exhaustion.
    • Cope with changes or unexpected events during the journey.

Examples of scores

For planning and following a journey:

  • 4 points: You need prompting to take any journey.
    • E.g., you need reassurance to leave the house due to anxiety.
  • 8 points: You cannot plan the route of a journey.
    • E.g., because of a cognitive impairment or learning disability.
  • 10 points: You cannot follow the route of an unfamiliar journey without assistance.
    • E.g., You need someone to guide you because of a visual impairment.
  • 12 points: You cannot take any journey.
    • E.g., Severe anxiety or PTSD makes leaving the house impossible, even with support.

For moving around:

  • 4 points: You can stand and then move more than 50 meters but no more than 200 meters.
    • E.g., you can walk around a supermarket but need to rest partway.
  • 8 points: You can stand and then move more than 20 meters but no more than 50 meters.
    • E.g., you can walk short distances but need frequent breaks or assistance.
  • 10 points: You can stand and then move more than 1 meter but no more than 20 meters.
    • E.g., You can walk to the bathroom but need a walking aid and experience severe pain.
  • 12 points: You cannot stand or move more than 1 meter.
    • E.g., : You are unable to walk at all and rely on a wheelchair for all movement.

How much do I get?

The amount of money you get depends on what rate you get.

For standard rate you must get at least 8 points

  • This is  £73.90 per week for daily living activities.
  • This is £29.20 per week for mobility activities.

For enhanced rate  you must  get at least 12 points.

  • This is £110.40 per week for daily living activities
  • This is£77.05 per week for mobility activities.

For how long for?

  • This will depend on what award you are given.
  • It will also depend on the result of your reviews.
  • If you get an 'indefinite award' you will usually get PIP for 10 years until review.
  • The award is for 3 years if you are terminally ill.
  • If you get a fixed award for more than 2 years your PIP will be reviewed before it ends.

What is a review?

  • A review is when the DWP checks if you still need your PIP.
  • This is to check if you're getting the right amount of benefit.
  • You'll receive a review form to fill in.
  • Tell them if your health has changed or not.
  • Send any new medical evidence if you have it.
  • You may be asked to have an assessment either on the phone or in person.
  • The DWP will then send a decision letter to renew, increase or stop your PIP.
  • You can challenge them if your decision is negative.
    • See section below on legal rights to appeal.

Things to remember

  • Give as much as medical evidence as you can when you send back form.
    • This can be a GP patient summary.
    • Diagnosis letter.
    • Evidence of medication.
  • Try to describe your worst days.
    • This means those days that your health makes everyday activities most difficult.
    • If you describe a 'good day' you might not be given what you're owed.

More information

See our Benefits page for more information about other benefits that may be available to you.

If you are unhappy with your PIP decision

  • You may want to appeal the decision made by PIP.
  • This could be because you think you are owed more money or because they refused it entirely.
  • Your rights to appeal a decision are protected under the Welfare Reform Act 2012.
  • The appeal process can include up to two stages explained below.

Mandatory reconsideration

  • This is the first stage of appeal.
  • It means that someone else at the DWP will look at your claim again.
  • You will have one month from the date on your decision letter to request this.
  • If you are late requesting then you will need to explain the reason for this delay.
    • You may be asked to provide evidence.
    • It could be because you were looking for help with your appeal.
  • You can ask by:
    • Phone – Call the number on your decision letter
    • Letter – Write to the address on the letter
    • Form – Use form CRMR1 (you can find it online or get it from DWP)
    • Citizens Advice can help you fill in a CRMR1.
  • You will need to tell them why you think their decision is wrong.
    • There could be more information about your health you need to tell them.
    • Send them any new medical evidence, like a doctor's letter or hospital report.
  • The DWP will the send a Mandatory Reconsideration Notice with their decision.
    • This can take anywhere from a few weeks to several months.
    • Call them after a couple of weeks to check they have received it.

Tribunal

  • If you still don't agree with PIP's decision you can apply for a tribunal.
  • It is not run by the DWP but by HM Courts and Tribunals Service.
  • You will first to need to fill in an appeal form
    • You can do this online here
    • Or fill in a paper SSC1 form
    • You'll need your Mandatory Reconsideration decision letter to apply.
  • You will need to explain why you disagree with the decision in detail.
  • Tell them if you would prefer a hearing in person, phone or video.
  • Later you will receive a letter with a date for the hearing and information about your appeal.
  • Read through all of the DWP information carefully.
  • Think through everything that you disagree with and why.
  • Write this down or ask a friend or representative to help you.
  • Ask for evidence from GP or support workers if you can.
  • You can ask for someone to come and support or represent you.
    • It can be a friend, family member or representative but not usually a GP.
  • The tribunal is made up of a
    • A judge
    • A doctor
    • A disability expert.
  • They will ask you questions about how your condition affects your daily life and moving around.
    • You can explain things in your own words
    • Or someone else can speak on your behalf
    • It’s not a test – just tell the truth and be honest about your struggle.
  • They may reach a decision on the day or within a few days
    • If the decision is successful your PIP award will be changed.
    • The DWP may send you any backpayment you could be owed.
    • If the decision is negative you will be sent a statement of reason.
    • There usually isn't further chance for appeal, unless there are legal errors.
  • While it can take a long time, the success rate is high at tribunal stage.

If you are having difficulties, please contact the Friends, Families and Travellers helpline on 01273 234 777. We are open:

  • Monday to Friday
  • From 10.00am to 4.30pm
  • Closed on Bank Holidays

Correct as of September 2025.

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