Personal Independence Payment – an introduction

PIP helps with the extra costs of disability or long-term health conditions for people aged 16 and over.

It’s a non means-tested benefit. So you can get it regardless of how much you earn, or whether you have savings or capital.

In Scotland PIP has been replaced by the Adult Disability Payment (ADP). If you’re living in Scotland and you’re already claiming PIP or DLA, Social Security Scotland will contact you about moving to ADP from the summer of 2022. You cannot claim ADP and PIP or DLA at the same time. You can check your eligibility for ADP on mygov.scotOpens in a new window

If you need to make a new claim for ADP, you can find out how to apply online or over the phone on mygov.scotOpens in a new window

To get PIP or the Adult Disability Payment, you must:

• Need help with everyday tasks or getting around, or both because of a physical or mental condition.
• Have needed this help for at least three months and expect to need it for at least another nine months. Unless you’re terminally ill with less than six months to live. You can start your claim within the first three months of needing help but your PIP entitlement won’t begin until the three month period has finished.

You’ll no longer have your payment reviewed when you reach State Pension age.

Instead, you’ll get an ongoing payment and a light touch review after ten years.

If you’re over State Pension age, you won’t be able to make a new claim for PIP or ADP. Instead, you’ll have to claim Attendance Allowance. Find out more about Attendance Allowance at Turn2usOpens in a new window

Personal Independence Payment and the Adult Disability Payment are based on the level of help you need because of how your condition affects you and how able you are to do certain activities.

It is made up of two components:

The Mobility component might be paid if you need help getting about. This includes physically moving around and leaving your home. It’s also referred to as the mobility allowance.

The Daily living component might be paid if you need help with carrying out everyday activities, such as:

• preparing and cooking food
• eating and drinking
• managing your treatments
• washing and bathing
• managing toilet needs or incontinence
• dressing and undressing
• communicating with other people
• reading and understanding written information
• mixing with others
• making decisions about money
• planning a journey or following a route.

Each component can be paid at either a standard or an enhanced rate.

Depending on how your condition affects you, it’s possible to get one component or both, and either the standard or the enhanced rate.

This is worked out using the results of an assessment.

For guidance on preparing for your PIP assessment, visit Citizens AdviceOpens in a new window

You’ll receive a letter inviting you to your assessment which makes it clear if you fail to attend your telephone assessment your PIP claim will be ‘disallowed’.

If your claim is ‘disallowed’ you'll either need to follow the appeal process (see more on this below) or start a new claim. After your assessment, you’ll get a letter with a decision about whether you can get PIP and how much it will be.

If you get PIP, your award will be regularly reassessed to see if your condition has changed.

If you’re already claiming Disability Living Allowance (DLA), you’ll get a letter from the DWP inviting you to make a claim for Personal Independence Payment. In Northern Ireland, the Social Security Agency will contact you.

This will happen even if you have an indefinite or lifetime award of DLA.

The only exception is if you were born on or before 8 April 1948. In this case, you’ll continue to get Disability Living Allowance as long as you qualify for it.

If you’re unhappy about a decision on your PIP claim, you can challenge it – but it’s important to follow the correct process.