What is PIP and who may be eligible?
Personal Independence Payment (PIP) is a tax-free benefit for people aged 16 to State Pension age whose health condition or disability affects their daily living or mobility. It is not means-tested, so your income, savings, and employment status have no bearing on eligibility. You can work full-time or part-time and still receive PIP. PIP has two components: daily living and mobility. Each component is paid at either a standard or enhanced rate. The daily living component is worth up to £72.65 per week (standard) or up to £108.55 per week (enhanced). The mobility component is worth up to £28.70 per week (standard) or up to £75.75 per week (enhanced). The maximum combined award is up to £184.30 per week — approximately £9,580 per year. To be eligible, your health condition or disability must have affected you for at least 3 months and be expected to continue for at least 9 more months. Both physical and mental health conditions qualify — including depression, anxiety, PTSD, chronic pain, arthritis, diabetes, MS, and many others. You can claim for multiple conditions, and the DWP considers their combined effect on your daily life.
Step 1: Start your claim by phone
To begin your PIP claim, call the PIP claim line on 0800 917 2222 (textphone: 0800 917 7777). The line is open Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm. A DWP adviser will ask basic questions about your personal details, health conditions, and GP or health professional contact information. This initial call usually takes around 15 to 20 minutes. It is important to make this call as soon as you decide to claim, because your claim date is typically set as the date of this call. If your claim is successful, payments may be backdated to this date. The adviser will confirm your claim has been registered and explain what happens next. After the call, the DWP will post you the "How your disability affects you" form — known as the PIP2 form. You have one month from the date on the form to complete and return it, though you can request an extension if you need more time. Always request an extension rather than rushing the form — a thorough, well-completed form is far more valuable than a quickly submitted one.
Step 2: Complete the PIP2 form
The PIP2 form is the most important part of your claim. It asks detailed questions about how your condition affects 12 specific activities — 10 daily living activities (preparing food, eating and drinking, managing treatments, washing, toileting, dressing, communicating verbally, reading and understanding signs, engaging with others, and making financial decisions) and 2 mobility activities (planning and following journeys, and moving around). For each activity, describe how your condition affects you on your worst days. This is standard DWP guidance — everyone has good days and bad days, and the DWP needs to understand the full picture. Be specific: include how often you need help (for example, "approximately 3 to 4 times per day"), how long tasks take (for example, "around 30 minutes with help, compared to 5 minutes for someone without my condition"), and what would happen without help (for example, "I would be at risk of falling" or "I would burn myself"). Each activity is scored using "descriptors" — statements that describe different levels of difficulty. You score points based on which descriptor best matches your situation. To qualify for the standard rate of daily living, you typically need 8 points across the daily living activities. For the enhanced rate, you need 12 points. The same thresholds apply to the mobility component. Understanding the specific descriptors can help you ensure your form accurately reflects your needs. Welfare rights organisations and charities like Citizens Advice can help you match your circumstances to the descriptors.
Step 3: Gather and submit supporting evidence
Supporting evidence can significantly strengthen your claim, though the DWP states it is not mandatory to provide it yourself — they may request evidence from your health professionals. However, providing your own evidence ensures the decision-maker has a complete picture. The most valuable types of evidence include: a letter from your GP describing how your conditions affect daily activities and mobility; hospital consultant letters and clinic reports; physiotherapy or occupational therapy assessments; mental health assessments, care plans, or CPN reports; a list of all medications with dosages and what each treats; and any social services assessments or care plans. A care diary is particularly powerful evidence. Record the help you receive each day over a one-to-two week period — noting what you struggled with, who helped, how long it took, and what happened on your worst days. If family members or friends help you regularly, ask them to write a short letter describing the care they provide, how often, and what they observe about your difficulties. Send copies of all evidence with your PIP2 form — never send originals, as documents may not be returned.
Step 4: The PIP assessment
After the DWP receives your PIP2 form, they may arrange a face-to-face assessment with an independent health professional (usually a physiotherapist, occupational therapist, nurse, or paramedic). Some assessments are conducted by telephone or video call. The assessment typically lasts 60 to 90 minutes. The assessor will ask questions about each of the 12 PIP activities and how your condition affects you. They may also make informal observations during the appointment. It is important to describe your difficulties honestly and thoroughly — focusing on your worst days, not the day of the assessment. If you are having a "good day" at the appointment, explain that it is not representative of your typical experience. You have the right to bring a companion — a friend, family member, or support worker — who can remind you of things you might forget and provide their own perspective. You also have the right to audio-record the assessment, though you may want to notify the assessment provider in advance. After the assessment, the health professional writes a report for the DWP decision-maker, who makes the final decision. A decision is typically made within 4 to 8 weeks of the assessment.
What to do if your claim is not successful
If your PIP claim is not successful, or you receive a lower award than expected, you have the right to challenge the decision. Many people who challenge are ultimately successful, so it is well worth considering your options. The first step is a Mandatory Reconsideration — you have 1 month from the decision date to request one by calling 0800 121 4433 or writing to the address on your decision letter. A different DWP decision-maker will review your claim, including any new evidence you provide. Around 25% of Mandatory Reconsiderations result in a changed decision. If the Mandatory Reconsideration does not change the outcome, you can appeal to an independent tribunal within 1 month. Tribunal panels include a judge, a doctor, and a disability expert who make their own fresh assessment. Around 60% of PIP tribunal appeals are successful. Free help with challenges is available from Citizens Advice, local welfare rights services, and disability charities such as Scope (0808 800 3333) and Mind (0300 123 3393).
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Frequently Asked Questions
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Important: Benefits Robin is not affiliated with the DWP or UK Government. We provide information and assistance, not legal or financial advice. These are estimates based on your answers. Final decisions are made by the DWP.