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PIP points self-check

Personal Independence Payment (PIP) is scored across 10 daily-living and 2 mobility activities. Score 8-11 points on a component for the standard rate, 12+ for enhanced. This self-check lets you pick the descriptor that best matches your needs on a typical bad day and totals the points. Scotland uses identical descriptors for Adult Disability Payment.

Daily living activities

0 of 12 answered

For each activity, pick the descriptor that best matches your needs on a typical bad day — applying the reliability test: can you do it safely, to an acceptable standard, repeatedly, and in a reasonable time?

1. Preparing food

Scoring note: Simple meal = one-course main meal for one using fresh ingredients. "Cooking" includes peeling, chopping, using the hob, and setting a timer. If you rely entirely on ready meals because you cannot safely use a hob, the microwave descriptor (1c) fits even though you are fed.

Can prepare and cook a simple meal unaided.1A · 0 pointsPick this only if you can safely prepare and cook a one-course fresh meal on a typical day — no aids, no prompting, no pain stopping you part-way through.Needs to use an aid or appliance to prepare or cook a simple meal.1B · 2 pointsPerching stool, lightweight pans, electric can-opener, long-handled utensils, tap turners — anything you need that a non-disabled person would not. Includes adapted cookware used to compensate for tremor or weak grip.Cannot cook a simple meal using a conventional cooker but is able to do so using a microwave.1C · 2 pointsFits if you cannot safely use a hob or oven — risk of burns, unable to stand long enough, poor balance near heat. You still cook using a microwave.Needs prompting to prepare or cook a simple meal.1D · 2 pointsWithout prompting from someone else you wouldn't start, wouldn't remember to turn off the hob, or would abandon the task. Mental-health and cognitive conditions commonly score here.Needs supervision or assistance to either prepare or cook a simple meal.1E · 4 pointsSomeone needs to be physically present to keep you safe (supervision) or to do part of the task for you (assistance) — not just remind you. Typical for moderate cognitive impairment or significant physical limitation.Cannot prepare and cook food at all.1F · 8 pointsYou could not prepare and cook a simple meal under any conditions — usually because of severe physical limitation, cognitive impairment, or risk.

2. Taking nutrition

Scoring note: "Therapeutic source" means a feeding tube or parenteral nutrition. Prompting (4 points) is higher than needing aids (2 points) because prompting implies you would not take nutrition without intervention from another person — often seen in eating disorders, severe depression, and dementia.

Can take nutrition unaided.2A · 0 pointsPick this only if you eat and drink a sufficient quantity on a typical day without aids, supervision, prompting, or help cutting food.Needs (i) an aid or appliance to take nutrition, (ii) supervision to take nutrition, or (iii) assistance to cut up food.2B · 2 pointsAdapted cutlery, weighted cup, a straw you need for swallowing difficulties; someone must be there because of choking risk; or you cannot safely cut up meat and vegetables.Needs a therapeutic source to be able to take nutrition.2C · 2 pointsYou rely on a feeding tube (nasogastric, PEG) or parenteral (IV) nutrition. You can manage the source yourself without help.Needs prompting to be able to take nutrition.2D · 4 pointsWithout someone reminding you to eat, or staying with you through the meal, you would not eat enough. Typical in anorexia, severe depression, and some dementia presentations.Needs assistance to manage a therapeutic source to take nutrition.2E · 6 pointsYou rely on a feeding tube or parenteral nutrition AND need another person to physically manage it — connecting, flushing, dealing with complications.Cannot convey food and drink to the mouth and needs another person to do so.2F · 10 pointsSomeone else physically feeds you. Typical for severe neurological conditions (advanced MS, MND) or severe upper-limb impairment.

3. Managing therapy or monitoring a health condition

Scoring note: Therapy includes physio exercises, chemotherapy, renal dialysis, and similar treatments you do at home under a professional's direction. Record the weekly hours honestly — the bands (3.5, 7, 14 hours) map directly to point jumps (1 → 2 → 4 → 8).

Either does not receive medication / therapy / needs no monitoring, or can manage it unaided.3A · 0 pointsPick this only if you manage all medication, therapy, and monitoring without help.Needs an aid, appliance or supervision/prompting/assistance to manage medication, or manages therapy taking up to 3.5 hours per week.3B · 1 pointDosette box counts as an aid. Someone sets out your tablets, checks you've taken them, or helps with injections. Or you self-manage home therapy of up to half an hour a day on average.Needs supervision, prompting or assistance to manage therapy taking 3.5 to 7 hours per week.3C · 2 pointsStructured home therapy (e.g. physio programmes, insulin management, CPAP setup) that needs someone else involved, between 30 minutes and an hour a day on average.Needs supervision, prompting or assistance to manage therapy taking 7 to 14 hours per week.3D · 4 pointsSubstantial home therapy requiring another person — 1 to 2 hours a day. Common for complex wound care, dialysis preparation, or multiple daily injections with support.Needs supervision, prompting or assistance to manage therapy taking more than 14 hours per week.3E · 8 pointsIntensive daily therapy — more than 2 hours a day on average. Dialysis, advanced wound care, feed-tube management with heavy involvement from someone else.

4. Washing and bathing

Scoring note: Multiple descriptors here can score — only the highest applies. Don't miss 4c (supervision) if you have blackouts, dizziness, or dissociation and it would be unsafe to wash unsupervised.

Can wash and bathe unaided.4A · 0 pointsShower or bath the whole body safely and in a reasonable time without help or aids.Needs to use an aid or appliance to wash or bathe.4B · 2 pointsGrab rail, bath seat, shower stool, long-handled sponge, non-slip mat you genuinely rely on.Needs supervision or prompting to wash or bathe.4C · 2 pointsYou would not wash without being reminded, or you need someone present in case you come to harm (collapse, blackout, dissociation). Very commonly under-scored by people with depression or epilepsy.Needs assistance to wash either hair or body below the waist.4D · 2 pointsSomeone physically helps you wash your hair or wash from the waist down.Needs assistance to get in or out of a bath or shower.4E · 3 pointsYou cannot safely step over the bath edge or into a shower cubicle without help.Needs assistance to wash body between the shoulders and waist.4F · 4 pointsSomeone physically helps you wash your torso — typical with severe upper-limb limitation.Cannot wash and bathe at all and needs another person to do it.4G · 8 pointsBed baths or fully-assisted showering — you do none of the washing yourself.

5. Managing toilet needs or incontinence

Scoring note: "Toilet needs" covers getting on and off the toilet, positioning, and cleaning yourself. Incontinence needing pads and management is a separate strand (5e/5f) and scores higher.

Can manage toilet needs or incontinence unaided.5A · 0 pointsUse the toilet and, if applicable, manage incontinence aids without help or aids.Needs to use an aid or appliance to manage toilet needs or incontinence.5B · 2 pointsRaised seat, commode, grab rails, continence pads you self-manage, catheter you self-manage.Needs supervision or prompting to manage toilet needs.5C · 2 pointsYou would not remember to go, would not clean yourself properly, or need someone there in case of falls.Needs assistance to manage toilet needs.5D · 4 pointsSomeone physically helps you on/off the toilet, or helps clean you afterwards.Needs assistance to manage incontinence of either bladder or bowel.5E · 6 pointsSomeone else manages catheters, stoma, or bowel programmes for one type of incontinence.Needs assistance to manage incontinence of both bladder and bowel.5F · 8 pointsSomeone else manages both bladder and bowel incontinence — e.g. dual stoma care.

6. Dressing and undressing

Scoring note: Includes buttons, zips, shoelaces. 6c (prompting to select clothing) is relevant in cognitive impairment, autism, and some psychiatric conditions — going out inappropriately dressed for the weather fits here.

Can dress and undress unaided.6A · 0 pointsDress and undress to an acceptable standard with no help and no aids.Needs to use an aid or appliance to dress or undress.6B · 2 pointsButton hook, long-handled shoehorn, dressing stick, sock aid.Needs either prompting or assistance to select appropriate clothing.6C · 2 pointsWithout prompting you would wear clothes inappropriate to the weather, inside-out, or inappropriate for the setting. Common in cognitive impairment and some mental-health presentations.Needs assistance to dress or undress the lower body.6D · 2 pointsSomeone physically helps you put on trousers, shoes, socks, underwear.Needs assistance to dress or undress the upper body.6E · 4 pointsSomeone physically helps you put on a top or jacket — typical with upper-limb limitation.Cannot dress or undress at all.6F · 8 pointsSomeone else dresses and undresses you completely.

7. Communicating verbally

Scoring note: Assessed for hearing and speech impairment, not anxiety about talking. Tribunal and Upper Tribunal case law is clear that social anxiety belongs under Activity 9, not here.

Can express and understand verbal information unaided.7A · 0 pointsHear and speak without aids, across basic and complex information.Needs to use an aid or appliance to speak or hear.7B · 2 pointsHearing aids you rely on daily, voice amplifier, communication device.Needs communication support to be able to express or understand complex verbal information.7C · 4 pointsLip-reader, BSL interpreter, or someone trained to break down complex conversations — used for GP appointments, formal meetings, etc.Needs communication support to be able to express or understand basic verbal information.7D · 8 pointsCommunication support needed for everyday conversations, not just complex ones.Cannot express or understand verbal information at all, even with communication support.7E · 12 pointsProfound deafness without signed communication, severe aphasia, or late-stage neurological conditions.

8. Reading and understanding signs, symbols and words

Scoring note: English is the reference language. Reading difficulty must stem from a physical or mental impairment — not from English being a second language.

Can read and understand basic and complex written information unaided or with spectacles/contact lenses.8A · 0 pointsGlasses and contact lenses do not count as aids here.Needs an aid or appliance (other than glasses/contact lenses) to read or understand either basic or complex written information.8B · 2 pointsMagnifier, screen reader, coloured overlay, large-print books you rely on.Needs prompting to be able to read or understand complex written information.8C · 2 pointsSomeone needs to talk you through a utility bill, benefits letter, or appointment letter.Needs prompting to be able to read or understand basic written information.8D · 4 pointsYou need help reading short, simple text — street signs, shop prices, medication labels.Cannot read or understand signs, symbols or words at all.8E · 8 pointsProfound visual impairment without usable assistive technology, or severe cognitive impairment.

9. Engaging with other people face-to-face

Scoring note: "Social support" in 9c means support from someone trained, experienced, or with a relationship of trust — a friend, family member who knows your condition, or a support worker. Not just any companion.

Can engage with other people unaided.9A · 0 pointsInteract with people for a reasonable period without help.Needs prompting to engage with other people.9B · 2 pointsWithout someone reminding you, you would withdraw from necessary social interaction (phone calls, appointments, shopping).Needs social support to engage with other people.9C · 4 pointsNeeds a trusted person to help initiate or maintain interactions — autism, severe anxiety, PTSD, and learning disability commonly score here.Cannot engage with other people due to causing either overwhelming psychological distress to self or behaving in a way which would result in a substantial risk of harm.9D · 8 pointsSocial interaction consistently triggers severe distress (panic, dissociation) or behaviour that would harm you or others.

10. Making budgeting decisions

Scoring note: "Complex" = balancing income against outgoings, managing bills and planning. "Simple" = paying for a single item with the right change. Impaired executive function, dyscalculia, and severe mental illness all affect this activity.

Can manage complex budgeting decisions unaided.10A · 0 pointsManage household bills, weekly budget, and one-off decisions without help.Needs prompting or assistance to manage complex budgeting decisions.10B · 2 pointsSomeone helps with bills, direct debits, or larger financial decisions. You can still handle simple transactions alone.Needs prompting or assistance to manage simple budgeting decisions.10C · 4 pointsYou cannot reliably pay for shopping with the right amount, work out change, or identify overpayment.Cannot manage any budgeting decisions at all.10D · 6 pointsSomeone else entirely manages your finances — typical in severe cognitive impairment.

Mobility activities

Two activities. Scoring 8+ on one gives standard-rate mobility; 12+ gives enhanced rate (also the test used for Motability).

11. Planning and following journeys

Scoring note: Two distinct strands: physical ability to plan/follow (11c, 11d, 11f) and psychological distress preventing travel (11b, 11e). 11f (unfamiliar-journey need for another person) scores 12 points — enhanced rate on its own.

Can plan and follow the route of a journey unaided.11A · 0 pointsPlan and follow journeys without aids, support, or overwhelming distress.Needs prompting to be able to undertake any journey to avoid overwhelming psychological distress.11B · 4 pointsWithout someone encouraging or coaching you, the anxiety would stop you leaving the house.Cannot plan the route of a journey.11C · 8 pointsCognitive or learning impairment means you cannot work out how to get from A to B, even with maps.Cannot follow the route of an unfamiliar journey without another person, assistance dog or orientation aid.11D · 10 pointsVisual impairment, severe autism, or severe cognitive impairment — you cannot navigate new routes unaided.Cannot undertake any journey because it would cause overwhelming psychological distress.11E · 10 pointsSevere agoraphobia, PTSD, or panic disorder — leaving the premises at all causes incapacitating distress.Cannot follow the route of a familiar journey without another person, assistance dog or orientation aid.11F · 12 pointsEven journeys you have done many times need someone with you — typical of severe cognitive impairment, severe visual impairment without assistive tech.

12. Moving around

Scoring note: Distance is measured in metres and assumes reliability: you must be able to repeat the distance safely, to an acceptable standard, in a reasonable time. Pain that stops you mid-walk counts — don't score by peak ability.

Can stand and then move more than 200 metres either aided or unaided.12A · 0 pointsTypical block-and-a-half in a town. If you cannot repeat this several times a day without significant rest or pain, do not pick this.Can stand and then move more than 50 metres but no more than 200 metres either aided or unaided.12B · 4 pointsCan walk to the end of the road but not to the local shop.Can stand and then move unaided more than 20 metres but no more than 50 metres.12C · 8 pointsCan walk from the front door to a parked car, but not further.Can stand and then move using an aid or appliance more than 20 metres but no more than 50 metres.12D · 10 pointsSame range as 12c but you rely on a stick, crutches, or walking frame. Worth an extra 2 points.Can stand and then move more than 1 metre but no more than 20 metres either aided or unaided.12E · 12 pointsCan walk a few strides within a room but not outside. Enhanced-rate mobility on its own.Cannot either aided or unaided stand, or move more than 1 metre.12F · 12 pointsWheelchair-dependent or bed-bound. Enhanced-rate mobility on its own.

The reliability test

The key phrase PIP assessors use. You only “can” do an activity if you can do it all four of:

Safely — without risk of harm to yourself or others.
To an acceptable standard — a result a non-disabled person would consider acceptable.
Repeatedly — as often as reasonably required.
Within a reasonable time — typically no more than twice the time a non-disabled person would take.

If any of these fail, you can't reliably do the activity — score the descriptor that reflects that.

How the descriptor scoring is sourced

The activity names, descriptor order, and point values in this self-check come from Schedule 1 of the Social Security (Personal Independence Payment) Regulations 2013, as amended. DWP's assessment guidance confirms that the 10 daily-living activities and 2 mobility activities are scored separately, with 8 points for standard rate and 12 points for enhanced rate on each component.

What this self-check doesn't do

Apply — only DWP (PIP) or Social Security Scotland (ADP) can award points.
Account for day-to-day variation weighting (the “majority-of-days” rule).
Score for Motability — enhanced-rate mobility unlocks Motability, but signing up is a separate process.
Cover children under 16 (they use DLA/CDP, with different descriptors).

For the full PIP claim process — phoning to start a claim, completing the PIP2 form, and the assessment — see our PIP guide. If you've already had a refusal or low award, request a Mandatory Reconsideration within a month.