PIP Explained: Personal Independence Payment and How to Claim

Personal Independence Payment (PIP) is a benefit that helps with the extra costs of a long-term health condition or disability. It's for working-age adults (16 up to State Pension age) and has replaced Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for that group. Crucially, PIP is not means-tested — it doesn't matter how much you earn, what savings you have, or whether you're working. It's based on how your condition affects you, not on your income.

PIP has two parts: a daily living component, for help with everyday tasks like preparing food, washing, dressing and managing money, and a mobility component, for help with getting around. Each part is paid at either a standard or an enhanced rate depending on how much difficulty you have.

Because it isn't means-tested and can be paid alongside work and other benefits, PIP can make a real difference. This guide explains the components and how to claim.

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Key Takeaways

• PIP helps with the extra costs of a long-term illness or disability and is not means-tested — income, savings and work don't affect it.
• It has two components: daily living and mobility, each paid at a standard or enhanced rate.
• PIP has replaced Disability Living Allowance for working-age adults and is based on how your condition affects you, not the condition itself.
• You claim through the DWP, usually followed by an assessment, and awards are reviewed periodically.

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What PIP Is For

PIP is designed to help with the additional costs that come with living with a long-term physical or mental health condition or disability. It's not linked to being unable to work — you can get PIP whether you're in a job, looking for work, or not working at all.

To qualify, you normally need to have had difficulties with daily living or getting around for at least three months, and expect them to continue for at least nine months (the "required period" condition). This ensures PIP supports long-term needs rather than short-term illness or injury.

It's paid on top of most other benefits and doesn't count as income for Universal Credit — in fact, getting PIP can sometimes increase your UC through additional elements.

The Daily Living Component

The daily living component is for people who need help with everyday activities. The assessment looks at things like:

• Preparing and cooking food
• Eating and drinking
• Managing your treatment or a health condition
• Washing, bathing and using the toilet
• Dressing and undressing
• Communicating and reading
• Managing money
• Engaging with other people

You don't need help with all of these — the DWP scores how much difficulty you have across them. Depending on your total score, you get the standard or the enhanced rate of the daily living component.

The Mobility Component

The mobility component is for people who need help getting around. It considers:

• Planning and following a journey
• Moving around and how far you can walk

As with daily living, your level of difficulty determines whether you get the standard or enhanced rate. Getting the enhanced mobility rate can also open the door to the Motability Scheme, which lets you lease a car, scooter or powered wheelchair using your allowance.

You can be awarded one component or both, and the two are assessed separately — so you might get the enhanced rate for one and nothing for the other.

Why PIP Is Not Means-Tested

Unlike Universal Credit, PIP takes no account of your income or savings. There's no capital limit, no taper, and no reduction if you or your partner work. This is because PIP exists to help with the extra costs of disability, which don't go away just because someone has earnings or savings.

That's an important difference from means-tested benefits like Universal Credit, where savings above £6,000 start to reduce your award. With PIP, none of that applies.

How to Claim PIP

The claim process usually runs like this:

1. Start your claim by contacting the DWP (by phone or, in some areas, online) to register.
2. Complete the "How your disability affects you" form, describing your difficulties with daily living and mobility in your own words. Give real examples.
3. Attend an assessment if asked — this may be by phone, video or in person with a health professional.
4. Get a decision, setting out which components and rates you've been awarded and for how long.

If you disagree with the decision, you can ask for a mandatory reconsideration and, if needed, appeal to a tribunal. Awards are reviewed from time to time to check your needs haven't changed. Full details are on the PIP pages at gov.uk. PIP is paid by the DWP, usually between midnight and 7am on your payment date, typically every four weeks.

Frequently asked questions

Is PIP affected by my income or savings?

No. PIP is not means-tested, so your earnings, savings and whether you work make no difference. It's based purely on how your condition affects your daily living and mobility.

Can I get PIP if I'm working?

Yes. PIP is designed to help with the extra costs of disability regardless of employment, so you can receive it while working full or part-time.

What's the difference between PIP and DLA?

PIP has replaced Disability Living Allowance for working-age adults (16 to State Pension age). Children under 16 may still get DLA, and older people may get Attendance Allowance instead.

Can I get PIP and Universal Credit at the same time?

Yes. PIP doesn't count as income for Universal Credit, and receiving PIP can sometimes increase your UC through additional elements. The two benefits are assessed separately.

General information only, not financial advice. Benefit rules change — check gov.uk or a benefits calculator like entitledto or Turn2us.