Benefits glossary

Attendance Allowance

A benefit for people over State Pension age who need help or supervision because of a health condition or disability. It has no mobility part. See Attendance Allowance.

Appeal

Asking an independent tribunal to look at a benefit decision again, after a mandatory reconsideration. The tribunal is separate from the DWP.

Appointee

A person allowed to manage someone’s benefit claim and payments on their behalf, usually when that person cannot manage it themselves. Arranged through the DWP.

Care component

The part of DLA for children (and the daily living idea in other benefits) that is about help with personal care and supervision.

Carer’s Allowance

A weekly payment for someone who cares at least 35 hours a week for a person on a qualifying disability benefit. See Carer’s Allowance.

Daily living component

The part of PIP about everyday activities such as preparing food, washing, dressing and managing money.

Descriptor

One of the set statements in the PIP test that describes a level of difficulty with an activity. Each descriptor is worth a number of points.

DLA

Disability Living Allowance. On this website it means DLA for children under 16. See DLA for children.

DWP

The Department for Work and Pensions — the government department that runs most benefits.

Enhanced rate

The higher of the two PIP rates for a component, paid when someone scores 12 or more points.

Mandatory reconsideration (MR)

Asking the DWP to look at a decision again. This is usually required before you can appeal.

Mobility component

The part of PIP or DLA about getting around — both planning journeys and moving around physically.

Points

Numbers given for each PIP activity based on the descriptor that applies. They are added up to decide the rate.

Qualifying period

A length of time your difficulties must have lasted (and be expected to last) before a benefit can be paid.

Reliability rule

The principle that you must be able to do an activity safely, to an acceptable standard, repeatedly and in a reasonable time — or you are treated as unable to do it. See reliability rules.

SMI

Severe Mental Impairment — a specific term in the DLA rules. See severe mental impairment.

SR1

A form a doctor or nurse uses to confirm someone is nearing the end of life, used to fast-track some benefits. See .

Standard rate

The lower of the two PIP rates for a component, paid when someone scores 8 to 11 points.

Tribunal

An independent panel (part of the courts service, not the DWP) that hears benefit appeals.

VUW

Virtually Unable to Walk — a route to the higher DLA mobility rate. See virtually unable to walk.

Official source

For official definitions, forms and current rules, always check GOV.UK.