Disability support
Personal Independence Payment
Summary
Personal Independence Payment (PIP) helps with extra living costs if you have a long-term condition/disability and difficulty with daily living or mobility tasks.
Who it may help
You may qualify if you are age 16+ (usually under State Pension age for a new claim), have long-term difficulty with daily living and/or getting around, and meet residence rules.
Who may not qualify
You usually cannot make a new PIP claim if you are over State Pension age (Attendance Allowance may apply instead) or if you live in Scotland and should claim Adult Disability Payment.
Current rate or rate range
PIP is paid in 2 components (daily living and mobility), each at standard or enhanced rate depending on assessment points.
- Daily living: £76.70 standard, £114.60 enhanced (weekly).
- Mobility: £30.30 standard, £80.00 enhanced (weekly).
- PIP is usually paid every 4 weeks and is not affected by income or savings.
Source: GOV.UK — Personal Independence Payment: How much you’ll get
Eligibility table
| Means test | Not means-tested: income, savings, and work status do not automatically prevent entitlement. |
|---|---|
| Daily living component | Based on help needed with everyday activities such as preparing food, washing, communicating, and managing treatment. |
| Mobility component | Based on help needed with planning/following journeys and moving around. |
| Age and residence | Usually age 16+ and under State Pension age for new claims, with UK presence/residence rules. |
Means test or contribution rules
- Means test: Not means-tested: income, savings, and work status do not automatically prevent entitlement.
Payment frequency
Usually every 4 weeks.
How to apply
Start your claim using the official GOV.UK “How to claim” route (phone, with relay/textphone alternatives), then complete the “How your disability affects you” form and return evidence. Northern Ireland claims use NI Direct.
Documents needed
- National Insurance number
- Address and contact details
- Bank or building society account details
- GP/health professional contact details
- Dates and details of time spent in hospital, care homes, or abroad
- Supporting medical evidence and care impact notes
Common mistakes
- Giving diagnosis names without explaining day-to-day functional impact on specific tasks.
- Leaving form answers too brief and not describing safety, reliability, time taken, and repetition issues.
- Not sending supporting evidence (care plans, clinician letters, medication history, symptom diary).
- Missing form or assessment deadlines and not requesting extensions promptly.
- Using non-official claim routes instead of GOV.UK/NI Direct.
FAQs
Is PIP means-tested?
No. PIP is not means-tested and is not reduced just because you work or have savings.
Can I get both components?
Yes. You may get daily living, mobility, or both, depending on your assessment points.
What if I disagree with the decision?
You can ask for mandatory reconsideration, and then appeal if needed.
Official source
Nation caveats
- Scotland caveat: new disability assistance claims are generally made to Adult Disability Payment (Social Security Scotland), not DWP PIP.
- If you already receive PIP in Scotland, do not make a duplicate claim; follow official transfer/review guidance from Social Security Scotland.
Last reviewed: 2026-05-05
Review and source status
- Prepared by
- MissedBenefits Editorial Team
- Primary sources
- GOV.UK
- Last reviewed
- 2026-05-05
- Correction route
- [email protected]
- Status
- Guidance only, not an official decision
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Disclaimer
General guidance only. Always check official GOV.UK and mygov.scot rules before applying.