Personal Independence Payment is a monthly payment from the UK government for people with long-term health conditions or disabilities that affect their daily life

Personal Independence Payment, or PIP, is money paid directly to you by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) if you have a physical or mental health condition that makes everyday tasks harder. It is not means-tested, which means your income or savings do not affect whether you receive it. The payment comes in two parts: a standard rate and an enhanced rate, depending on how much support you need.

PIP replaced an older payment called Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for most working-age adults. If you are already receiving DLA, you will eventually be invited to claim PIP instead, though the DWP is doing this gradually. Children under 16 still receive DLA rather than PIP.

The payment is designed to help with costs that come from your condition — things like mobility aids, transport, personal care, or support from another person. You do not have to spend the money on any particular thing; it is yours to use as you need.

Key Takeaways

  • PIP is a monthly payment from the UK government for people whose health condition or disability affects their ability to carry out daily activities or move around.
  • The amount you receive depends on how much help you need, not on how much money you have, so your income and savings do not affect your claim.
  • You must have had your condition for at least three months and expect it to last at least nine more months to be considered.
  • The DWP will ask you to describe how your condition affects specific daily tasks, and you may be invited for a face-to-face assessment with a healthcare professional.
  • PIP is separate from other benefits like Universal Credit or Employment and Support Allowance, and you can receive more than one at the same time.

The two rates of PIP and what they cover

PIP has two separate components: one for daily living and one for mobility. You can receive either, both, or neither, depending on how your condition affects you.

The daily living component helps with costs related to personal care and preparing food — things like washing, dressing, taking medication, or eating. The mobility component helps with costs related to moving around, such as transport, walking aids, or paying someone to accompany you when you go out.

Each component has a standard rate and an enhanced rate. The enhanced rate is higher and is for people who need more support. The exact amounts change each year in April, so you should check the DWP website for current figures rather than relying on any number in a guide like this one.

Who can receive PIP

To receive PIP, you must be between 16 and State Pension age. You must also have a health condition or disability that has lasted at least three months already and is expected to last at least nine more months. This does not mean your condition has to be permanent — it just has to be long-term enough to meet this test.

You must also be in Great Britain (England, Scotland, or Wales) when you claim. If you live in Northern Ireland, you receive Personal Independence Payment through a different system run by the Department for Communities.

Your condition does not have to be visible or obvious. Mental health conditions, chronic pain, learning disabilities, and conditions that come and go can all may have access to if they affect your daily life in the ways PIP measures.

How to start a PIP claim

To claim PIP, you contact the DWP directly. You can call them, write to them, or start a claim online through the GOV.UK website. When you first contact them, they will send you a form called a PIP2 form. This is a detailed questionnaire that asks how your condition affects you in specific areas: preparing food, eating and drinking, washing and bathing, dressing and undressing, managing medication, managing toilet needs, and moving around.

You will also be asked about your ability to communicate, understand information, and engage with other people. The form is long — often 20 to 30 pages — and it asks for specific examples rather than general statements. For instance, instead of writing "I have trouble walking", you would write something like "I can walk about 50 metres before I need to sit down, and I need to hold onto something to stay steady."

After you send the form back, the DWP will review it. Many people are then invited for a face-to-face assessment with a healthcare professional who works for a company contracted by the DWP. This assessment is not a medical examination — the assessor is checking how your condition affects your daily life, not diagnosing you or treating you.

What happens during the assessment

The assessment usually takes 20 to 60 minutes. The assessor will ask you questions about the activities mentioned in the PIP form and may watch you do certain tasks — for example, standing up from a chair or picking up a small object. They are looking for evidence of how your condition affects you in practice, not just what you say about it.

You can bring someone with you to the assessment if you want — a friend, family member, or support worker. You can also ask for adjustments, such as a longer appointment, a break during the assessment, or an assessor of a particular gender. Tell the DWP about any adjustments you need when you receive your appointment letter.

After the assessment, the assessor writes a report and sends it to the DWP. The DWP then makes a decision based on the form, the assessment report, and any other evidence you have provided. They will write to you with their decision and explain how they reached it.

How long PIP lasts and what happens next

PIP is awarded for a set period — usually two years, five years, or ten years, depending on how stable your condition is. Before your award ends, the DWP will contact you to ask whether your circumstances have changed. If your condition has improved, stayed the same, or got worse, you tell them, and they decide whether to renew your award, change the amount, or stop it.

If your condition changes while you are receiving PIP — either it gets better or worse — you can report this to the DWP at any time. If it gets worse, you can ask for a supersession, which means the DWP will look at your claim again and may increase your payment. If it gets better, the DWP may contact you to check whether you still meet the criteria.

If you disagree with a decision the DWP makes about your claim, you can ask them to reconsider it. This is called a mandatory reconsideration. If you still disagree after that, you can appeal to an independent tribunal.

PIP and other benefits

PIP is separate from other benefits you might receive. You can claim PIP at the same time as Universal Credit, Employment and Support Allowance, or other benefits. PIP does not affect how much of these other benefits you receive, because it is not means-tested.

If you are working, you can still receive PIP. Your earnings do not affect your claim. Some people receive PIP while working full-time, part-time, or while self-employed.

If you are already receiving Disability Living Allowance, you will eventually be invited to claim PIP instead. The DWP is converting DLA claims to PIP gradually, so you may have several years before you are asked to switch. When you are invited, you will go through the same process as a new claim.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between PIP and Universal Credit?

Universal Credit is a payment for people with low income, and it depends on how much money you have. PIP is a payment for people with health conditions or disabilities, and it does not depend on your income. You can receive both at the same time.

Can I get PIP if my condition comes and goes?

Yes. PIP is based on how your condition affects you on an average day, not on your best days or worst days. If you have a condition that fluctuates — such as chronic pain, mental health conditions, or autoimmune disorders — you can still claim. Tell the DWP about the pattern and how it affects your daily life.

What if I disagree with the assessment result?

You can ask the DWP to reconsider their decision within one month of the letter. This is free and does not require a lawyer. If you still disagree, you can appeal to an independent tribunal, which will look at your case again and make a new decision.

Do I have to tell the DWP if my condition improves?

You should tell the DWP if your circumstances change significantly. If your condition improves, the DWP may reduce your payment or stop it. If your condition gets worse, you can ask them to look at your claim again and may receive a higher payment.

Can I work while receiving PIP?

Yes. PIP is not affected by whether you work or how much you earn. You can receive PIP while working full-time, part-time, or self-employed. Some people use PIP to help them stay in work by covering costs related to their condition.