What Is Personal Independence Payment (PIP)?

Personal Independence Payment (PIP) is a benefit that helps with the extra costs of living with a long-term health condition, disability, or illness.

PIP is not based on your income, savings, or employment status. Instead, it looks at how your condition affects your daily life and ability to get around.

You may be able to receive PIP whether you are working or not.

PIP is designed to help with the additional expenses that can arise from living with a disability or health condition.

This could include extra costs related to:

• Personal care
• Mobility needs
• Transport
• Specialist equipment
• Support services
• Everyday living activities

You do not need to spend the money on specific items and can use it in the way that best meets your needs.

You may be able to claim PIP if:

• You are aged 16 or over.
• You have a long-term physical or mental health condition, disability, or illness.
• Your condition affects your daily living activities or mobility.
• You have experienced these difficulties for at least three months and expect them to continue for at least nine months.

PIP is available to people with a wide range of conditions, including:

• Physical disabilities
• Mental health conditions
• Learning disabilities
• Neurological conditions
• Sensory impairments
• Long-term illnesses

No.

PIP is not awarded based on a diagnosis alone.

Instead, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) considers how your condition affects your ability to complete certain daily living and mobility activities.

For example, they consider whether you can carry out activities:

• Safely
• To an acceptable standard
• Repeatedly
• Within a reasonable time

Two people with the same medical condition may receive different PIP awards depending on how they are affected.

PIP has two components:

This relates to activities such as:

• Preparing food
• Eating and drinking
• Washing and bathing
• Managing medication
• Dressing and undressing
• Communicating with others
• Managing money

This relates to:

• Planning and following journeys
• Moving around

You may receive one component or both, depending on your circumstances.

• Complete a detailed claim form.
• Provide information about how your condition affects you.
• Submit supporting evidence where available.
• Attend an assessment, if required.

The assessment allows the DWP to understand how your condition impacts your daily life and mobility.

Useful evidence may include:

• Medical reports
• Hospital letters
• Care plans
• Occupational therapy reports
• Prescription information
• Letters from support workers
• Statements from carers, family members or healthcare professionals

Providing evidence can help demonstrate the difficulties you experience.

Yes.

Many people who receive PIP are employed.

PIP is based on how your condition affects you, not whether you work or earn an income.

Depending on your circumstances, it could help you access:

• Universal Credit disability elements
• Carer's Allowance for someone who cares for you
• Council Tax reductions and discounts
• Disabled parking support
• Other local and national schemes

Awards vary depending on individual circumstances.

Some awards are:

• Short-term
• Longer-term
• Ongoing, with periodic reviews

The DWP will tell you when your award is due to be reviewed.

If your claim is unsuccessful or you disagree with the award, you have the right to challenge the decision.

This usually involves:

• Requesting a Mandatory Reconsideration.
• Appealing to an independent tribunal if necessary.

Many decisions are successfully changed following a challenge.

Our advisors can help you:

• Understand whether you may be eligible for PIP.
• Complete a PIP application.
• Gather supporting evidence.
• Prepare for a PIP assessment.
• Challenge a PIP decision.

Contact our team for free, confidential advice and support.