Personal Independence Payment (PIP) helps with extra living costs if you have a long-term physical or mental health condition and find certain everyday tasks or getting around difficult. This guide explains PIP eligibility, its two parts, how the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) assesses your claim, and where to confirm current rates and payment dates.
One point stands out: you can get PIP even if you’re working, have savings, or already receive most other benefits. According to GOV.UK, PIP is not means-tested, so your income and savings do not affect whether you qualify.
Who is eligible for PIP?
To claim PIP you must have both of the following:
- A long-term condition or disability – a physical or mental health condition that affects you over time.
- Difficulty with everyday tasks or moving around – because of that condition.
You must also experience these difficulties most of the time. GOV.UK defines this as expecting to have difficulty on more than half of the days over a 12-month period.
What are the two parts of PIP?
PIP has two separate parts, and you may qualify for one or both depending on your needs.
The daily living part may apply if you need help with tasks such as:
- Preparing food and eating or drinking
- Managing medicines or treatments
- Washing, bathing and using the toilet
- Dressing and undressing
- Reading and managing your money
- Socialising and being around other people
- Talking, listening and understanding
The mobility part may apply if you need help with:
- Working out a route and following it
- Physically moving around
- Leaving your home
You do not need a physical disability to get the mobility part. A cognitive or mental health condition, such as anxiety, can also qualify you if it makes getting around hard.
How does the DWP assess your PIP claim?
The DWP looks at how difficult you find each daily living and mobility task. For every task, the assessment considers:
- Safety – whether you can do it safely.
- Time – how long the task takes you.
- Support needed – whether you need help from another person or from extra equipment.
Whether you receive one part or both, and how much you get, depends on how these difficulties add up across your assessment.
How much PIP will you get and when is it paid?
The amount you receive depends on how your condition affects your everyday tasks and mobility. Each part is paid at either a standard or an enhanced rate.
The GOV.UK PIP page does not list the exact current pound amounts on its main section. For the latest weekly rates and details of how payments are made, check the official “how much you’ll get” page at gov.uk/pip/how-much-youll-get. Always rely on that page for up-to-date figures rather than older numbers you may see elsewhere.
How do you apply for PIP?
You start a claim through the PIP new claims phone line. If you need extra support, several free options are available:
- Citizens Advice – help with understanding and completing your claim.
- British Sign Language video guides – available on GOV.UK’s YouTube playlist.
- Easy read guides – which explain what PIP is and how to claim.
- Home visit – a DWP officer may be able to visit you. Ask the adviser about this when you call the new claims line.
Start your claim and find contact details on the main PIP page at gov.uk/pip.
What if you are nearing the end of life?
If you have a life-limiting illness, you automatically receive the daily living part of PIP. Whether you also get the mobility part depends on your needs. GOV.UK sets out a separate, faster process for claiming in these circumstances, so follow the end-of-life claim route rather than the standard one.
Can your carer get help too?
Yes. If someone provides substantial care for you, they may be able to claim Carer’s Allowance. This is a separate benefit with its own rules, explained on the GOV.UK Carer’s Allowance page.
What if you live in Scotland?
PIP does not apply in Scotland. Instead, you apply for Adult Disability Payment (ADP) through mygov.scot.
If you move between areas, act quickly to protect your payments:
- Moving to England or Wales from Scotland – tell Social Security Scotland, then make a new PIP claim. Apply as soon as you move, or your payments could be affected.
- Moving to Scotland from England or Wales – tell the DWP and make a new ADP claim. Your PIP will stop 13 weeks after you move, so apply for ADP as soon as possible.
You must also tell the DWP and apply for ADP if you are waiting for a PIP decision or have challenged one before moving to Scotland.
What happens if you get Disability Living Allowance?
PIP is replacing Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for most adults. You keep getting DLA only if you are under 16, or you were born on or before 8 April 1948.
If you were born after 8 April 1948, the DWP will write to invite you to apply for PIP. You do not need to do anything until you receive that letter, unless your circumstances change first.
