PIP overview

What is PIP?

PIP stands for Personal Independence Payment. It is a disability benefit for people who have difficulties with daily living, mobility, or both because of a long-term health condition or disability.

PIP is not based on diagnosis alone. The decision looks at how a condition affects a person’s ability to do specific activities.

What are the two parts of PIP?

• Daily living: everyday activities such as preparing food, washing, dressing, communicating and budgeting.
• Mobility: planning and following journeys, and moving around.

A person may get one part, both parts, or neither. Each part is looked at separately.

Important boundary

This website explains the PIP system in general. It does not tell someone whether they qualify, what points they should score, what evidence they should send, or whether they should challenge a decision.

Official source

Check official information on GOV.UK: https://www.gov.uk/pip

Who can claim PIP?

PIP is for people aged 16 or over and under State Pension age when they first claim, who have had difficulties with daily living, getting around, or both, because of a long-term physical or mental health condition or disability. PIP is not means-tested — it does not depend on income, savings or whether someone works.

There is usually a qualifying period: the difficulties must have been present for at least three months and be expected to continue for at least nine months. Different rules apply for people who are nearing the end of life — see .

How is PIP decided?

PIP is based on how a condition affects a set of everyday activities, not on the diagnosis itself. Each activity has descriptors worth points. Points are added up separately for daily living and mobility, and the totals decide whether each component is paid at the standard or enhanced rate. Learn more in activities, descriptors and points.

How much is PIP?

Each component is paid at either a standard or an enhanced weekly rate. For the current figures, see PIP rates and payments or the benefit rates at a glance page. Amounts usually change each April, so always confirm on GOV.UK.

Topics in this section

• What happens after the PIP form
• PIP activities, descriptors and points
• PIP typical day and good and bad days
• Who PIP is for and how to claim
• PIP daily living
• PIP daily living points table
• PIP decision letters
• PIP mobility
• PIP mobility points table
• What happens after starting a PIP claim
• PIP reviews and changes
• PIP appeal
• PIP assessments
• PIP decisions after assessment
• PIP evidence
• PIP mandatory reconsideration
• PIP rates and payments
• PIP reliability rules
• Who PIP is for and how to claim