Personal Independence Payment (PIP) is a tax-free, non-means-tested benefit provided by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to help people aged 16 to State Pension age who have a long-term physical or mental health condition or disability that affects their daily life or ability to get around. This guide explains everything you need to know about how to claim PIP, what to expect during the process, how much you could receive, and what to do if your claim is refused.
As of January 2026, there are approximately 3.9 million people claiming PIP in England and Wales. If you think you may be eligible, it is important to claim as soon as possible as PIP is generally not backdated to before your claim start date.
What is Personal Independence Payment?
Personal Independence Payment replaced Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for working-age adults in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. It is designed to help with the extra costs that come with having a long-term health condition or disability. PIP is not based on your diagnosis — it is assessed on how your condition affects your ability to carry out everyday activities and get around safely.
PIP is made up of two components. The Daily Living component helps with the costs of everyday tasks such as preparing food, washing, dressing, managing medication and communicating. The Mobility component helps with the costs of getting around, whether due to a physical condition or a cognitive or mental health condition that makes planning and following journeys difficult. You may be eligible for one or both components depending on how your condition affects you.
PIP is completely tax-free and is not affected by your income, savings, or whether you are in work. You can receive PIP alongside other benefits including Universal Credit, Employment and Support Allowance and Jobseeker's Allowance.
Who Can Claim PIP?
To be eligible to claim Personal Independence Payment you must meet all of the following conditions. You must be aged 16 or over and not yet have reached State Pension age. You must have a long-term physical or mental health condition or disability that has made daily living or getting around difficult for at least three months, and you must expect these difficulties to continue for at least another nine months. You must usually have been living in Great Britain for at least two of the last three years and be habitually resident in the UK.
There is no list of qualifying conditions for PIP. The assessment looks at how your condition affects you rather than what your condition is. People with a wide range of physical conditions, mental health conditions, learning difficulties, sensory impairments and fluctuating conditions can all qualify for PIP provided the impact on daily living or mobility meets the required threshold.
If you have a terminal illness and are not expected to live more than 12 months, you can claim under the Special Rules for End of Life, which provides a faster decision and access to the enhanced rate of the Daily Living component without needing a face-to-face assessment.
Note for Scotland: If you live in Scotland, PIP has been replaced by Adult Disability Payment (ADP), which is administered by Social Security Scotland. New claimants in Scotland should apply for Adult Disability Payment rather than PIP.
PIP Rates 2026/27
PIP rates increased by 3.8% from 6 April 2026 in line with the Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation rate from September 2025. The current 2026/27 weekly rates are as follows:
Daily Living Component
- Standard Rate: £76.70 per week
- Enhanced Rate: £114.60 per week
Mobility Component
- Standard Rate: £30.30 per week
- Enhanced Rate: £80.00 per week
PIP is paid every four weeks directly into your bank, building society or credit union account. The maximum possible award is £194.60 per week (£778.40 every four weeks) for those who receive the enhanced rate of both components. PIP rates are reviewed every year by the DWP and are typically increased each April in line with inflation.
How to Start Your PIP Claim
There are three stages to making a PIP claim. The first is contacting the DWP to start your claim, the second is completing the PIP2 form describing how your condition affects you, and the third is attending a PIP assessment if required.
Step 1 — Contact the DWP to Start Your Claim
To begin your PIP claim, you need to contact the DWP PIP new claims line. Call 0800 917 2222 (Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm). If you use a textphone, call 0800 917 7777. You can also use the British Sign Language (BSL) video relay service if you are on a computer.
If you cannot use the phone, you can write to request a paper claim form at the following address:
Personal Independence Payment New Claims
Post Handling Site B
Wolverhampton
WV99 1AH
During this initial call you will be asked to provide basic information including your name, address, date of birth, National Insurance number, bank or building society account details, your GP or doctor's name and address, and contact details for any other health professionals involved in your care. This initial call is used to complete the PIP1 form and confirm your basic eligibility. It does not decide the outcome of your claim.
In some areas you can also start a PIP claim online via GOV.UK. You will need to enter your postcode to check whether the online option is available to you.
Step 2 — Complete the PIP2 How Your Disability Affects You Form
Once the DWP has confirmed your basic eligibility, they will send you the PIP2 form, which asks you to describe in detail how your condition affects your ability to carry out everyday activities. You will usually receive this form within two weeks of your initial call. The form must be returned within one month of the date it was sent to you.
The PIP2 form covers ten daily living activities and two mobility activities. The daily living activities are preparing food, eating and drinking, managing treatments, washing and bathing, managing toilet needs, dressing and undressing, communicating verbally, reading and understanding signs, engaging with other people face to face, and making budgeting decisions. The mobility activities are planning and following journeys, and moving around.
When completing the PIP2 form it is essential to describe how your condition affects you on your worst days, not just your average or best days. Explain what happens when you try to carry out each activity, whether you need help from another person or use aids or appliances, how long it takes you, whether you can do it safely, and whether you can do it repeatedly throughout the day. Be as detailed and specific as possible. Vague answers are one of the most common reasons PIP claims are assessed at a lower rate than the claimant deserves.
You can also include supporting evidence with your PIP2 form. Useful evidence includes letters or reports from your GP, hospital consultants or other health professionals, care plans, prescription lists, letters from social workers or support workers, and letters from people who know you and can describe how your condition affects you in daily life. You are not required to provide evidence but doing so can significantly strengthen your claim and may mean you do not need a face-to-face assessment.
Disability Rights UK recommend keeping a diary of how your condition affects you over two weeks and submitting this alongside your PIP2 form. This can provide a clear and detailed picture of the day-to-day impact of your condition.
Step 3 — Attend Your PIP Assessment
Unless you are making a claim under the Special Rules for End of Life, you will usually need to have a PIP assessment to complete your claim. A PIP assessment is not a medical examination and your condition will not be diagnosed or tested. It is an opportunity for you to explain in more detail how your condition affects your daily life and mobility.
Most PIP assessments are carried out by an independent healthcare professional working for an assessment provider commissioned by the DWP. Assessments can take place by phone, by video call, or face to face at an assessment centre or in your own home if you are unable to travel. The assessor will review the information you provided in your PIP2 form, ask you questions about your daily routine and the activities covered in the form, and may ask to see any aids or equipment you use.
You can bring someone with you to your assessment for support. This can be a friend, family member or carer. They can take notes and help you explain things but cannot answer questions on your behalf unless you need them to.
Following the assessment, the healthcare professional will write a report and send it to the DWP. The DWP will then make a decision on your claim. You should receive a decision letter within a few weeks of your assessment, though waiting times can vary.
How PIP is Assessed — The Points System
PIP uses a points-based assessment system. Points are awarded for each daily living and mobility activity based on descriptors that describe different levels of difficulty or assistance required. The points for each activity are added together to produce a total score for each component.
For the Daily Living component, you need at least 8 points to qualify for the standard rate and at least 12 points for the enhanced rate. For the Mobility component, you need at least 8 points for the standard rate and at least 12 points for the enhanced rate.
Points are only awarded if you cannot complete an activity safely, to an acceptable standard, repeatedly, and within a reasonable time period. If you can carry out an activity but it takes much longer than it would for someone without your condition, or if doing so causes pain, fatigue or distress, you may still score points. If you need aids, appliances or the help of another person to carry out an activity, this will also affect the number of points you score.
PIP and Other Benefits
Receiving PIP can act as a passport to other financial support. If you receive the Daily Living component of PIP you may also be entitled to a higher rate of Universal Credit, an additional amount in Employment and Support Allowance, a premium added to Housing Benefit, and a reduction in Council Tax through your local authority's Council Tax Support scheme.
If you receive the enhanced rate of the Mobility component, you may be eligible for the Motability scheme, which allows you to use your PIP mobility payment to lease a car, powered wheelchair or scooter. You may also be entitled to a Blue Badge, free or reduced-cost public transport in your area, and a Vehicle Excise Duty (road tax) exemption or reduction.
PIP does not count as income and does not affect the amount of Universal Credit or other means-tested benefits you receive. It also does not affect your entitlement to Carer's Allowance for a person who cares for you.
What Happens After Your PIP Decision
Once the DWP has made a decision on your PIP claim, you will receive a decision letter explaining what rate you have been awarded, when payments will start, and how long your award will last. PIP awards can be for a fixed period of between one and ten years, or in some cases on an ongoing basis, depending on the nature of your condition.
Your PIP will be reviewed by the DWP before the end of your award period. You will be sent a review form asking for updated information about how your condition affects you. It is important to respond to review letters promptly to avoid disruption to your payments.
You should always contact the DWP if your condition worsens or your circumstances change, as this may affect the rate you are entitled to. You can contact the PIP enquiry line on 0800 121 4433 to report a change in circumstances.
What to Do If Your PIP Claim is Refused or You Are Awarded a Lower Rate
If you disagree with the decision on your PIP claim, you have the right to challenge it. There are two stages to challenging a PIP decision.
The first stage is to request a mandatory reconsideration. You must do this within one month of the date on your decision letter. Contact the DWP and explain why you think the decision is wrong. You can provide additional evidence at this stage. The DWP will look at your claim again and send you a mandatory reconsideration notice explaining the outcome.
If you are still not satisfied after mandatory reconsideration, the second stage is to appeal to an independent tribunal through His Majesty's Courts and Tribunals Service (HMCTS). You must do this within one month of the date on your mandatory reconsideration notice. The appeal will be heard by an independent panel and you can choose to attend in person, by phone or by video. Statistics consistently show that a significant proportion of PIP appeals are successful, particularly when the claimant attends the hearing in person.
It is strongly recommended that you seek advice before requesting a mandatory reconsideration or submitting an appeal. Organisations including Citizens Advice, Disability Rights UK and local welfare rights services can provide free guidance and representation.
Getting Help with Your PIP Claim
Making a PIP claim can be a complex and sometimes stressful process. Free support is available from a range of organisations. Citizens Advice can help you understand your eligibility, complete the PIP2 form and challenge a decision if needed. Disability Rights UK publishes a detailed guide to claiming PIP which is updated regularly. Local welfare rights services and disability charities can provide one-to-one support with the claims process.
You can also ask someone you trust — such as a family member, carer or support worker — to help you complete your forms and attend assessments with you.
Frequently Asked Questions About PIP
How long does a PIP claim take?
The time from starting your PIP claim to receiving a decision can vary. After your initial call, you should receive the PIP2 form within two weeks. Once returned, you may wait several weeks or months before your assessment. The DWP then has a further period to make a decision after the assessment. Overall, the process can take several months, though claims under the Special Rules for End of Life are processed much more quickly.
Can I claim PIP if I am working?
Yes. PIP is not affected by whether you are in paid employment. It is based entirely on how your condition affects your daily living and mobility, not your income or work status.
Can I claim PIP if I am already receiving Universal Credit?
Yes. PIP and Universal Credit are separate benefits. Receiving PIP may entitle you to an additional disability premium within your Universal Credit award.
Does PIP affect my other benefits?
PIP itself does not reduce other benefits. It can in fact act as a passport to additional support such as higher Universal Credit payments, Blue Badge eligibility and Motability scheme access.
What is the difference between PIP standard rate and enhanced rate?
The standard rate is awarded when your score for a component is between 8 and 11 points. The enhanced rate is awarded when your score is 12 points or more. The enhanced rate pays a higher weekly amount and may open access to additional benefits such as the Motability scheme for the mobility component.
Will existing PIP claimants be affected by welfare reforms?
In June 2025 the government confirmed that people currently receiving PIP will remain under the existing eligibility criteria. Proposed changes to eligibility rules will only affect new claimants. If you are already receiving PIP your award will not be reassessed under any new criteria.
What is the PIP new claims telephone number?
The PIP new claims telephone number is 0800 917 2222, available Monday to Friday between 8am and 6pm. The textphone number is 0800 917 7777. The PIP enquiry line for existing claimants is 0800 121 4433.
