The actual amounts Personal Independence Payment pays depend on your age and which component you receive

Personal Independence Payment (PIP) is a UK benefit for people aged 16 to 64 who have a long-term health condition or disability affecting their daily life. The amount you receive each month is not a flat rate—it varies based on two separate components: mobility and daily living. Each component has two possible payment levels, and you may receive one, both, or neither depending on what the assessment finds.

As of April 2024, the standard rates are: the daily living component pays either £61.85 or £92.40 per week, and the mobility component pays either £24.45 or £64.50 per week. These figures change annually in April. The difference between the lower and higher rate depends on how much help you need—not on your income or savings, which do not affect PIP at all.

Key Takeaways

  • PIP has two separate components (daily living and mobility), each with a lower and higher rate, so your total payment depends on which rates you receive for each.
  • The rates change every April, so the amounts you see quoted online may be outdated if they were published earlier in the year.
  • Your income and savings do not affect whether you get PIP or how much you receive—only the assessment of your care and mobility needs matters.
  • You can receive the daily living component, the mobility component, both, or neither, depending entirely on what the assessment concludes about your needs.

How the two components work and what each one covers

The daily living component is for people who need help with personal care, preparing food, eating, taking medication, managing toilet needs, or washing and dressing. The lower rate (£61.85 per week) is for people who need some help but can manage many tasks. The higher rate (£92.40 per week) is for people who need help most of the time or cannot do these things safely without support.

The mobility component is for people who have difficulty planning or following a journey, or who cannot walk or have severe problems walking. The lower rate (£24.45 per week) is for people who can walk but need help planning journeys or have difficulty with unfamiliar routes. The higher rate (£64.50 per week) is for people who cannot walk, or whose walking is so limited that they cannot leave home without help, or who need someone with them at all times when outside.

You are assessed separately for each component. You might receive the higher daily living rate and the lower mobility rate, or only one component at all. The assessment is based on what you can actually do on a normal day, not your diagnosis.

What the assessment process determines about your payment

To receive PIP, you must go through a health assessment. A healthcare professional will ask you detailed questions about what you can and cannot do, how often you need help, and whether you need someone with you. They may also ask your GP for medical records. Based on this assessment, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) decides which rate, if any, you receive for each component.

The assessment does not look at your diagnosis alone. Someone with the same condition as another person might receive a different rate because their symptoms affect them differently. The focus is on function—what you can actually manage on a typical day, not what you might manage on a good day or with significant effort.

If you disagree with the decision, you can ask for a mandatory reconsideration within one month, and then appeal to an independent tribunal if you still disagree. Many people's appeals succeed, so if the initial decision does not match your experience, it is worth challenging it.

When rates change and how to find the current amounts

PIP rates increase every April. The increase is usually linked to inflation, though the exact percentage varies year to year. If you are already receiving PIP, your payment updates automatically—you do not need to do anything. If you are new to PIP, you will receive whichever rates are current when your claim is approved.

Because rates change annually, any article or guide you find online may quote outdated figures if it was written before April. The official DWP website always has the current rates, and your award letter will show exactly what you are being paid. If you want to check the rates for a specific month, the DWP's rates page is the only reliable source.

How PIP differs from other disability payments

PIP replaced Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for most people aged 16 to 64. If you are under 16, you would receive DLA instead, which has different rates. If you are 65 or older, you cannot make a new claim for PIP—you would need to look at other support such as Attendance Allowance, which has its own rates and rules.

Unlike some other benefits, PIP is not means-tested. Your income, savings, employment status, or whether you have a partner do not affect the amount you receive. It is based entirely on your assessed care and mobility needs. You can work and receive PIP at the same time, and working does not reduce your payment.

What happens to your payment if your needs change

PIP is awarded for a set period—usually two to ten years depending on how likely your condition is to change. Before your award ends, the DWP will ask you to complete a renewal form describing your current needs. If your circumstances have changed significantly, you can report this to the DWP at any time, and they will reassess you.

If your needs have improved, your payment might decrease or stop. If your needs have worsened, you might move from the lower rate to the higher rate for one or both components. The reassessment follows the same process as the original assessment—a healthcare professional will review your situation and the DWP will make a new decision.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does having a job affect how much PIP you receive?

No. PIP is not means-tested and does not change based on income or employment. You can work full-time, part-time, or not at all, and your PIP payment stays the same. Some people worry that working will affect their claim, but it will not reduce the amount you receive.

Can you receive both the higher daily living rate and the higher mobility rate at the same time?

Yes. There is no limit to which combination of rates you can receive. Some people get both higher rates, some get one higher and one lower, and some get only one component. It depends entirely on what the assessment finds about your specific needs.

What if you disagree with the amount you were awarded?

You can ask for a mandatory reconsideration within one month of the decision letter. If you still disagree after that, you can appeal to an independent tribunal. Many appeals succeed, especially if your circumstances have changed or if you have new evidence about your needs.

Do the rates change if you move to a different part of the UK?

No. PIP rates are the same across England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Your payment does not change if you move between these countries. However, if you move outside the UK, your PIP will usually stop after three months.

How long does it take to receive your first PIP payment after approval?

Once approved, your first payment usually arrives within two weeks. The DWP will tell you the payment date in your award letter. Payments are made every four weeks into your bank account, building society account, or Post Office card account.