PIP daily living component explained
The daily living component of PIP is for people who need help with everyday tasks because of a health condition or disability. This page explains what counts and how it is assessed.
We explain the system. We do not advise on individual cases.
What the daily living component covers
The daily living component of PIP is about the everyday tasks involved in looking after yourself. It looks at ten activities: preparing food, taking nutrition, managing treatment, washing and bathing, managing toilet needs, dressing and undressing, communicating, reading, mixing with other people, and making budgeting decisions.
It is not about whether you have a condition, but about how that condition affects these specific activities on a typical day.
How it is scored
Each activity has descriptors worth points. The highest descriptor that applies on more than half of days is chosen for each activity, and the points are added up. 8 points gives the standard rate and 12 points gives the enhanced rate. The full breakdown is on the PIP daily living points table.
Help and prompting count
Needing help counts even if a person can technically complete a task. This includes needing an aid or appliance, needing someone to prompt or encourage them, needing supervision to stay safe, or needing physical assistance. Difficulty doing something reliably, safely or in a reasonable time also matters.
Next steps
- See the daily living points table for the exact descriptors.
- Read about PIP mobility, the other component.
- Understand PIP evidence and the reliability rules.
- Official source: GOV.UK — PIP.
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Last reviewed: June 2026. We review this website regularly. Benefit rules and amounts can change — for current forms, deadlines and rates, always check GOV.UK. See how we keep this up to date.