PIP is a monthly cash payment from the UK government for people whose physical or mental health condition affects their daily life

Personal Independence Payment (PIP) is a benefit paid directly to your bank account by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). It is not means-tested, which means your income or savings do not affect whether you receive it. The payment goes to people aged 16 to 64 whose health condition or disability makes everyday tasks harder — things like washing, dressing, preparing food, or getting around.

PIP replaced Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for working-age adults in 2013. Unlike some other benefits, PIP is not tied to your employment status. You can be working, unemployed, or unable to work and still receive it. The amount you get depends on how your condition affects you, not on what caused it.

The payment comes in two separate parts: a daily living component and a mobility component. Each part has two rates — standard and enhanced — and you may receive one, both, or neither depending on your circumstances. Payments are made every four weeks into your bank account.

Key Takeaways

  • PIP is a non-means-tested monthly payment for people aged 16 to 64 whose health condition affects daily living or mobility.
  • The payment has two parts — daily living and mobility — each with a standard rate and an enhanced rate, paid every four weeks.
  • 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 assesses your claim using a detailed form, medical evidence, and sometimes a face-to-face consultation with a healthcare professional.

The two components and what they cover

The daily living component covers support with things like washing, dressing, eating, taking medication, and managing your health. The standard rate is £68.60 per week and the enhanced rate is £102.15 per week (these figures are current as of April 2024 but change annually). You receive the enhanced rate if you need significantly more help or supervision with these tasks.

The mobility component covers support with getting around — whether that means using transport, walking, or planning a journey. The standard rate is £28.70 per week and the enhanced rate is £80.15 per week. You do not need to be unable to walk to receive the mobility component; you might receive it if you can walk but need someone with you, or if your condition makes walking unpredictable or unsafe.

You can receive both components, one component, or neither. For example, you might receive the enhanced daily living component but the standard mobility component, or daily living only. The assessment looks at how your condition affects you in practice, not at a diagnosis alone.

How the DWP assesses your claim

When you send in your claim, the DWP asks you to complete a detailed form called the PIP2 form. This form asks about how your condition affects you on a typical day — how long tasks take, whether you need help, whether you need supervision, and how often your condition changes. You are asked to describe what you can and cannot do, not just what your diagnosis is.

You will also need to provide medical evidence. This can come from your GP, hospital letters, prescriptions, or reports from specialists. The DWP uses this evidence alongside your form to build a picture of your condition. If the evidence is unclear or contradicts what you have written, the DWP may ask for more information from your healthcare providers.

For many claims, the DWP arranges a consultation with a healthcare professional — usually a nurse or physiotherapist employed by a private company contracted to the DWP. This is not a medical examination in the traditional sense; the professional is assessing how your condition affects your daily functioning. They may ask you to demonstrate certain movements or tasks, or they may straightforward talk through your form with you. The consultation typically lasts 20 to 40 minutes.

After the consultation (or after reviewing your form and medical evidence if no consultation is needed), the DWP makes a decision. This usually takes 8 to 12 weeks from the date you submit your claim, though it can take longer if more evidence is needed.

Who can claim PIP

You must be aged 16 to 64 to claim PIP. You must also have had your condition for at least three months already, and you must expect it to last for at least nine more months. This means you cannot claim for temporary conditions — for example, if you break your leg and expect to recover fully within six months, you would not meet the time requirement.

Your immigration status matters. If you are a British citizen, EU citizen with settled status, or have indefinite leave to remain, you can claim. If you are on a visa with a time limit, you may still be able to claim depending on the type of visa and how long you have been in the UK. Asylum seekers and people with no recourse to public funds cannot claim PIP.

You do not need to be working or unemployed to claim. You can be in full-time work, part-time work, self-employed, or not working at all. Your income and savings do not affect whether you receive PIP or how much you receive.

How much you receive and when payments arrive

The amount depends on which components you receive and at what rate. If you receive the enhanced daily living component and the enhanced mobility component, you would receive £182.30 per week (£68.60 plus £80.15 plus £33.55 for the mobility component's additional support). If you receive only the standard daily living component, you would receive £68.60 per week. Payments are made every four weeks, so a weekly amount is multiplied by 4.33 to give your monthly payment.

Payments are made directly into your bank account. You choose which account when you claim. The DWP sends you a payment schedule showing when each payment will arrive, usually a few days before the money reaches your account.

PIP is not taxable income, so you do not pay income tax on it. It also does not affect most other benefits, though it can affect some means-tested benefits if you receive them.

What happens after you are awarded PIP

Once you are awarded PIP, you receive it for a set period. This might be one year, two years, five years, or indefinitely, depending on how the DWP assesses your condition. The decision letter tells you how long your award lasts and when the DWP will review it.

You must tell the DWP if your circumstances change significantly — for example, if your condition improves, you move house, or your contact details change. You do not need to report small day-to-day changes; the DWP expects your condition to fluctuate. But if something major changes, you should report it within one month.

When your award is due to end, the DWP will contact you to ask whether you want to claim again. If you do, you will need to submit a new claim form. The process is the same as the first time, though the DWP will have your previous medical evidence on file.

PIP and other support

PIP is separate from other disability-related support. You might also be able to claim Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) if you cannot work due to your condition, or Universal Credit if you are on a low income. These are different payments with different rules, and you can receive PIP alongside them.

If you are of working age and your condition affects your ability to work, you may also be referred to Access to Work, a grant that helps pay for support like a support worker, specialist equipment, or transport to work. This is separate from PIP and is not automatic — you would need to ask your local Jobcentre Plus office about it.

Some local councils also offer Disabled Facilities Grants to help pay for home adaptations like ramps, grab rails, or bathroom modifications. This is not related to PIP but is another source of support for people with disabilities.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I claim PIP if I am working?

Yes. PIP is not affected by whether you work or how much you earn. You can be in full-time employment, part-time work, or self-employed and still receive PIP. The only thing that matters is how your condition affects your daily living and mobility.

What if the DWP turns down my claim?

You can ask the DWP to reconsider their decision within one month of the decision letter. You can provide new evidence or explain why you think their decision was wrong. If they still refuse, you can appeal to the independent First-tier Tribunal (Social Entitlement Chamber). You do not need a lawyer, though some people find it helpful to have support from an information organisation.

How long does it take to get paid after I am awarded PIP?

The DWP usually pays your first payment within two weeks of the decision letter. After that, you are paid every four weeks on the same day. The exact date depends on when your claim was decided and which day of the week the DWP processes payments.

Does PIP affect my other benefits?

PIP does not affect most benefits. It does not reduce Universal Credit, ESA, or Housing Benefit. However, if you receive certain means-tested benefits, receiving PIP might affect how much you get of those benefits. The DWP will tell you if this applies to you.

What if my condition gets worse or better?

If your condition gets significantly worse, you can ask the DWP to review your award early. If it gets better, you should tell the DWP, though this does not automatically end your payment — they will review your case. Small day-to-day changes do not need to be reported; the DWP expects conditions to fluctuate.