Personal Independence Payment

Overview

Personal Independence Payment (PIP) is a non-means-tested benefit from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) for adults in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland aged between 16 and State Pension age who have a long-term physical or mental health condition or disability. It is paid in two components: a daily living component for help with everyday tasks, and a mobility component for getting around. Each component can be paid at a standard or enhanced rate, determined by how the claimant's condition affects them, assessed using a points-based system of activity descriptors. PIP is not affected by income, savings, or whether the claimant is in work. In Scotland, PIP has been replaced by Adult Disability Payment, administered by Social Security Scotland — new claims from Scottish residents are made there, and existing PIP claims have been transferring across since 2022. Decisions on eligibility and rate are made by the DWP following a health assessment and review of evidence. This page references figures and descriptors from the primary GOV.UK source; the authoritative source for any individual award remains the DWP.

Applies in England, Wales, Northern Ireland. Administered by DWP. This page is general information; contact DWP for your individual circumstances.

Rates

Eligibility criteria include

• DISABILITY
  You must have a long-term physical or mental health condition or disability. ^[GOV.UK]
• OTHER
  The difficulties must be expected to last for at least 12 months from when they started. ^[GOV.UK]
• AGE
  You usually need to be under State Pension age to make a new PIP claim. If you're over State Pension age you cannot usually make a new claim for PIP, unless you got PIP or Adult Disability Payment (ADP) in the last 12 months. ^[GOV.UK]
• INCOME
  PIP is not affected by your income or savings; you can get PIP if you're working or have savings. ^[GOV.UK]
• OTHER
  You can get PIP at the same time as all other benefits, except Armed Forces Independence Payment. ^[GOV.UK]
• OTHER
  If you get Constant Attendance Allowance you'll get less of the daily living part of PIP. ^[GOV.UK]
• OTHER
  If you get War Pensioners' Mobility Supplement you will not get the mobility part of PIP. ^[GOV.UK]
• RESIDENCE
  If you've recently returned from living in the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein, you might be able to get PIP sooner. ^[GOV.UK]
• IMMIGRATION
  You must normally live in or show that you intend to settle in the UK, Ireland, the Isle of Man or the Channel Islands, and not be subject to immigration control (unless you're a sponsored immigrant). ^[GOV.UK]
• IMMIGRATION
  If you're from the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein, you and your family usually also need settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme to get PIP. ^[GOV.UK]
• IMMIGRATION
  You might still be able to get PIP if you're a refugee or have humanitarian protection status. ^[GOV.UK]
• RESIDENCE
  If you live in Scotland, you need to apply for Adult Disability Payment (ADP) instead of PIP. ^[GOV.UK]
• DISABILITY
  If you're nearing the end of life, you'll automatically get the daily living part of PIP. Whether you get the mobility part depends on your needs. ^[GOV.UK]
• AGE
  You must be 16 or over to claim PIP. ^[GOV.UK]
• DISABILITY
  You must have difficulty doing certain everyday tasks or getting around because of your condition. ^[GOV.UK]
• OTHER
  To experience difficulty with tasks for PIP purposes, you must expect to have difficulty more than half of the days over a 12-month period. ^[GOV.UK]
• RESIDENCE
  You usually need to have lived in England, Scotland or Wales for at least 2 of the last 3 years, and be living in England or Wales when you apply. ^[GOV.UK]
• RESIDENCE
  You might still be able to get PIP if you live in the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein (daily living tasks only), or work in the Armed Forces or are a family member of someone who does. ^[GOV.UK]

Sources