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.
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.
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.