In the last month I have been signed off worked by my GP. He said that I should not be working with my current on-going long term mental health condition. This will severely impact my income. I could be off work for years as it is a quite serious mental health condition I have. Can I claim PIP to help cover my bills?

Personal Independence Payment (PIP) can help you with some of the extra costs if you have a long term physical or mental health condition or disability.

Personal Independence Payment (PIP)

Overview

This guide is also available in Welsh (Cymraeg).

The amount you get depends on how your condition affects you, not the condition itself. You’ll be assessed by a health professional to work out the level of help you can get.

Your carer could get Carer’s Allowance if you have substantial caring needs.

If you get Disability Living Allowance (DLA)

Disability Living Allowance (DLA) is being replaced by PIP for most adults. You’ll keep getting DLA if:

you’re under 16

you were born on or before 8 April 1948

If you were born after 8 April 1948, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) will invite you to apply for PIP. You do not need to do anything until DWP writes to you about your DLA unless your circumstances change.

Help with PIP

You can contact a local support organisation or Citizens Advice to get help understanding PIP.

Eligibility

You can get Personal Independence Payment (PIP) whether you’re working or not.

You must be aged 16 or over and usually have not reached State Pension age to claim.

You must also have a physical or mental health condition or disability where you:

have had difficulties with daily living or getting around (or both) for 3 months

expect these difficulties to continue for at least 9 months

You usually need to have lived in England, Scotland or Wales for at least 2 of the last 3 years, and be in one of these countries when you apply. If you’ve recently returned from living in an EEA country, you might be able to get PIP sooner.

Find out about PIP if you live in Northern Ireland.

There are different rules if you’re terminally ill and a healthcare professional has said you might have less than 6 months to live.

You cannot get PIP and Armed Forces Independence Payment at the same time.

Daily living difficulties

You may get the daily living part of PIP if you need help more than half of the time with things like:

preparing or eating food

washing, bathing and using the toilet

dressing and undressing

reading and communicating

managing your medicines or treatments

making decisions about money

engaging with other people

Mobility difficulties

You may get the mobility part of PIP if you need help going out or moving around.

How you’re assessed

You’ll be assessed by an independent healthcare professional to work out the level of help you need.

If you’ve reached State Pension age

You can get PIP if you:

were already getting PIP before you reached State Pension age and your condition has not changed

have been claiming Disability Living Allowance (DLA) and you’ve had a letter inviting you to apply for PIP

You may get PIP if you previously got it and you were still entitled to it within the last year.

If you cannot get PIP, you can apply for Attendance Allowance instead.

Living abroad

You might still be able to get PIP if you:

live in an EU or EEA country or Switzerland - you can only get help with daily living needs

are a member or family member of the Armed Forces

If you’re not a British citizen

You must:

normally live in or show that you intend to settle in the UK, Ireland, the Isle of Man or the Channel Islands

not be subject to immigration control (unless you’re a sponsored immigrant)

You might still be able to get PIP if you are a refugee or have humanitarian protection status.

What you’ll get

Personal Independence Payment (PIP) is made up of 2 parts - a daily living part and a mobility part. Whether you get one or both of these and how much you’ll get depends on how severely your condition affects you.

You’ll need an assessment to work out how much you’ll get. Your rate will be regularly reviewed to make sure you’re getting the right support.

PIP is tax free. The amount you get is not affected by your income or savings.

You need to tell DWP straight away if there’s a change in your personal circumstances or how your condition affects you.

Daily living part

The weekly rate for the daily living part of PIP is either £60.00 or £89.60.

Mobility part

The weekly rate for the mobility part of PIP is either £23.70 or £62.55.

Terminal illness

You’ll get the higher daily living part if you’re not expected to live more than 6 months. The rate of the mobility part depends on your needs.

How other benefits affect your PIP

The daily living part of your PIP will be reduced if you get any of the following benefits:

Constant Attendance Allowance

War Pensioners’ Mobility Supplement

How you’re paid

PIP is usually paid every 4 weeks.

Your decision letter will tell you:

the date of your first payment

what day of the week you’ll usually be paid

If your payment date is on a bank holiday, you’ll usually be paid before the bank holiday. After that you’ll continue to get paid as normal.

All benefits, pensions and allowances are paid into your bank, building society or credit union account.

Other help

You or your carer might also qualify for other financial help, for example Carer’s Allowance, or help with housing or transport costs.

If you get PIP and you work, you might also be able to get the disability element of Working Tax Credit (up to £3,220 a year, or up to £4,610 if your disability is severe). Contact HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) to find out.

How to claim

Call the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to make a new Personal Independence Payment (PIP) claim.

There is a different way to claim if you’re terminally ill.

Find out how to claim if you live in Northern Ireland.

Claim by telephone or textphone

Before you call, you’ll need:

your contact details, for example telephone number

your date of birth

your National Insurance number - this is on letters about tax, pensions and benefits

your bank or building society account number and sort code

your doctor or health worker’s name, address and telephone number

dates and addresses for any time you’ve spent in a care home or hospital

dates for any time you spent abroad for more than 4 weeks at a time, and the countries you visited

If you need someone to help you, ask DWP to add them to your call when you:

phone

use Relay UK

use the video relay service

You cannot do this if you use textphone.

If you cannot use any of these, someone else can call on your behalf, but you’ll need to be with them when they call.

Claim by post

You can get a form to send information by post (although this can delay the decision on your claim). Write a letter to ask for the form.

What happens next

You’ll be sent a ‘How your disability affects you’ form. Call the PIP enquiry line if you need it in an alternative format such as braille, large print or audio CD.

Fill in the form using the notes that come with it to help you. You can also read Citizens Advice’s help on filling in the form.

Return the form to DWP - the address is on the form. You have 1 month to return the form. DWP will start processing your claim when they receive your form. Contact the PIP enquiry line if you need more time.

If more information is needed, an independent health professional will send a letter inviting you to an assessment. Assessments can be in person, over the phone or by video call. You’ll be asked questions about your ability to carry out activities and how your condition affects your daily life. You can read Citizens Advice’s help on preparing for an assessment.

You’ll get a letter that tells you whether you’ll get PIP. If you do, you’ll be told how much you’ll get, when you’ll be paid and the date your PIP will be reviewed so that you continue to get the right support.

Because of coronavirus (COVID-19), you’ll only be invited to attend an assessment in person if more information is needed and you cannot do an assessment by phone or video call. Your invitation letter will explain how to attend your appointment safely.

You cannot apply using any Disability Living Allowance (DLA) forms you may have.

If you disagree with a decision

You can challenge a decision about your claim. This is called asking for ‘mandatory reconsideration’.

If your PIP claim is reviewed

The letter you got when your Personal Independence Payment (PIP) was approved will tell you when your claim will end and if it will be reviewed.

If your claim is going to be reviewed, the letter will tell you when you’ll be contacted about the review.

How PIP reviews work

You will continue to get PIP while your claim is being reviewed.

You’ll get a letter asking you to fill in a form called ‘Award review - how your disability affects you’.

Fill in the form using the notes that come with it.

Send the form and any supporting information you have not shared with the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) before - the form explains what to include and where to send it. You’ll need to return it within 1 month. Contact the PIP enquiry line if you need more time.

DWP will review your form. If they need more information, an independent health professional might phone you to ask some questions or send a letter inviting you to an assessment. Assessments can be in person, over the phone or by video call.

You’ll get a letter that tells you what will happen with your PIP. If your needs have changed, your PIP might be increased, reduced or stopped.

Because of coronavirus (COVID-19), you’ll only be invited to an assessment in person if more information is needed and you cannot do an assessment by phone or video call. Your invitation letter will explain how to attend your appointment safely.

If you disagree with a decision

You can challenge a decision about your claim. This is called asking for mandatory reconsideration.

Change of circumstances

You must contact the Personal Independence Payment (PIP) enquiry line if:

your personal details change, for example your name, address or doctor

the help you need or your condition changes

your condition has worsened and you’re not expected to live more than 6 months

you go into hospital or a care home

you go abroad

you’re imprisoned or held in detention

your immigration status changes, if you’re not a British citizen

You could be taken to court or have to pay a penalty if you give wrong information or do not report a change in your circumstances.

How to report a change of circumstances

Contact the PIP enquiry line to report a change of circumstances.

If you need someone to help you, ask the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to add them to your call when you:

phone

use Relay UK

use the video relay service

You cannot do this if you use textphone.

If you cannot use any of these, someone else can call on your behalf, but you’ll need to be with them when they call.

If you’ve been paid too much

You may have to repay the money if you:

did not report a change straight away

gave wrong information

were overpaid by mistake

Find out how to repay the money you owe from benefit overpayment.

Claiming PIP if you're terminally ill

You can get Personal Independence Payment (PIP) more quickly if you’re terminally ill.

You can claim PIP if:

your doctor or a healthcare professional has said you might have less than 6 months to live

you are aged 16 or over and usually have not reached State Pension age

How to claim

You can claim for yourself or someone else can do it for you.

Call DWP to start your PIP claim. Ask a doctor or other healthcare professional for form DS1500. They’ll either fill it in and give the form to you or send it directly to DWP.

You will not need to go to a face-to-face consultation.

If you need someone to help you, ask DWP to add them to your call when you:

phone

use Relay UK

use the video relay service

You may be able to get other benefits if you’re terminally ill.

You must be aged 16 or over and usually have not reached State Pension age to claim.

Personal Independence Payment (PIP)

Overview

Personal Independence Payment (PIP) can help you with some of the extra costs if you have a long term physical or mental health condition or disability.

This guide is also available in Welsh (Cymraeg).

The amount you get depends on how your condition affects you, not the condition itself. You’ll be assessed by a health professional to work out the level of help you can get.

Your carer could get Carer’s Allowance if you have substantial caring needs.

If you get Disability Living Allowance (DLA)

Disability Living Allowance (DLA) is being replaced by PIP for most adults. You’ll keep getting DLA if:

you’re under 16

you were born on or before 8 April 1948

If you were born after 8 April 1948, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) will invite you to apply for PIP. You do not need to do anything until DWP writes to you about your DLA unless your circumstances change.

Help with PIP

You can contact a local support organisation or Citizens Advice to get help understanding PIP.

Eligibility

You can get Personal Independence Payment (PIP) whether you’re working or not.

You must also have a physical or mental health condition or disability where you:

have had difficulties with daily living or getting around (or both) for 3 months

expect these difficulties to continue for at least 9 months

Find out about PIP if you live in Northern Ireland.

There are different rules if you’re terminally ill and a healthcare professional has said you might have less than 6 months to live.

You cannot get PIP and Armed Forces Independence Payment at the same time.

Daily living difficulties

You may get the daily living part of PIP if you need help more than half of the time with things like:

preparing or eating food

washing, bathing and using the toilet

dressing and undressing

reading and communicating

managing your medicines or treatments

making decisions about money

engaging with other people

Mobility difficulties

You may get the mobility part of PIP if you need help going out or moving around.

How you’re assessed

You’ll be assessed by an independent healthcare professional to work out the level of help you need.

If you’ve reached State Pension age

You can get PIP if you:

were already getting PIP before you reached State Pension age and your condition has not changed

have been claiming Disability Living Allowance (DLA) and you’ve had a letter inviting you to apply for PIP

You may get PIP if you previously got it and you were still entitled to it within the last year.

If you cannot get PIP, you can apply for Attendance Allowance instead.

Living abroad

You might still be able to get PIP if you:

live in an EU or EEA country or Switzerland - you can only get help with daily living needs

are a member or family member of the Armed Forces

If you’re not a British citizen

You must:

normally live in or show that you intend to settle in the UK, Ireland, the Isle of Man or the Channel Islands

not be subject to immigration control (unless you’re a sponsored immigrant)

You might still be able to get PIP if you are a refugee or have humanitarian protection status.

What you’ll get

Personal Independence Payment (PIP) is made up of 2 parts - a daily living part and a mobility part. Whether you get one or both of these and how much you’ll get depends on how severely your condition affects you.

You’ll need an assessment to work out how much you’ll get. Your rate will be regularly reviewed to make sure you’re getting the right support.

PIP is tax free. The amount you get is not affected by your income or savings.

You need to tell DWP straight away if there’s a change in your personal circumstances or how your condition affects you.

Daily living part

The weekly rate for the daily living part of PIP is either £60.00 or £89.60.

Mobility part

The weekly rate for the mobility part of PIP is either £23.70 or £62.55.

Terminal illness

You’ll get the higher daily living part if you’re not expected to live more than 6 months. The rate of the mobility part depends on your needs.

How other benefits affect your PIP

The daily living part of your PIP will be reduced if you get any of the following benefits:

Constant Attendance Allowance

War Pensioners’ Mobility Supplement

How you’re paid

PIP is usually paid every 4 weeks.

Your decision letter will tell you:

the date of your first payment

what day of the week you’ll usually be paid

If your payment date is on a bank holiday, you’ll usually be paid before the bank holiday. After that you’ll continue to get paid as normal.

All benefits, pensions and allowances are paid into your bank, building society or credit union account.

Other help

You or your carer might also qualify for other financial help, for example Carer’s Allowance, or help with housing or transport costs.

If you get PIP and you work, you might also be able to get the disability element of Working Tax Credit (up to £3,220 a year, or up to £4,610 if your disability is severe). Contact HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) to find out.

How to claim

Call the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to make a new Personal Independence Payment (PIP) claim.

There is a different way to claim if you’re terminally ill.

Find out how to claim if you live in Northern Ireland.

Claim by telephone or textphone

Before you call, you’ll need:

your contact details, for example telephone number

your date of birth

your National Insurance number - this is on letters about tax, pensions and benefits

your bank or building society account number and sort code

your doctor or health worker’s name, address and telephone number

dates and addresses for any time you’ve spent in a care home or hospital

dates for any time you spent abroad for more than 4 weeks at a time, and the countries you visited

If you need someone to help you, ask DWP to add them to your call when you:

phone

use Relay UK

use the video relay service

You cannot do this if you use textphone.

If you cannot use any of these, someone else can call on your behalf, but you’ll need to be with them when they call.

Claim by post

You can get a form to send information by post (although this can delay the decision on your claim). Write a letter to ask for the form.

What happens next

You’ll be sent a ‘How your disability affects you’ form. Call the PIP enquiry line if you need it in an alternative format such as braille, large print or audio CD.

Fill in the form using the notes that come with it to help you. You can also read Citizens Advice’s help on filling in the form.

Return the form to DWP - the address is on the form. You have 1 month to return the form. DWP will start processing your claim when they receive your form. Contact the PIP enquiry line if you need more time.

You’ll get a letter that tells you whether you’ll get PIP. If you do, you’ll be told how much you’ll get, when you’ll be paid and the date your PIP will be reviewed so that you continue to get the right support.

You cannot apply using any Disability Living Allowance (DLA) forms you may have.

If you disagree with a decision

You can challenge a decision about your claim. This is called asking for ‘mandatory reconsideration’.

If your PIP claim is reviewed

The letter you got when your Personal Independence Payment (PIP) was approved will tell you when your claim will end and if it will be reviewed.

If your claim is going to be reviewed, the letter will tell you when you’ll be contacted about the review.

How PIP reviews work

You will continue to get PIP while your claim is being reviewed.

You’ll get a letter asking you to fill in a form called ‘Award review - how your disability affects you’.

Fill in the form using the notes that come with it.

You’ll get a letter that tells you what will happen with your PIP. If your needs have changed, your PIP might be increased, reduced or stopped.

If you disagree with a decision

You can challenge a decision about your claim. This is called asking for mandatory reconsideration.

Change of circumstances

You must contact the Personal Independence Payment (PIP) enquiry line if:

your personal details change, for example your name, address or doctor

the help you need or your condition changes

your condition has worsened and you’re not expected to live more than 6 months

you go into hospital or a care home

you go abroad

you’re imprisoned or held in detention

your immigration status changes, if you’re not a British citizen

You could be taken to court or have to pay a penalty if you give wrong information or do not report a change in your circumstances.

How to report a change of circumstances

Contact the PIP enquiry line to report a change of circumstances.

If you need someone to help you, ask the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to add them to your call when you:

phone

use Relay UK

use the video relay service

You cannot do this if you use textphone.

If you cannot use any of these, someone else can call on your behalf, but you’ll need to be with them when they call.

If you’ve been paid too much

You may have to repay the money if you:

did not report a change straight away

gave wrong information

were overpaid by mistake

Find out how to repay the money you owe from benefit overpayment.

Claiming PIP if you're terminally ill

You can get Personal Independence Payment (PIP) more quickly if you’re terminally ill.

You can claim PIP if:

your doctor or a healthcare professional has said you might have less than 6 months to live

you are aged 16 or over and usually have not reached State Pension age

How to claim

You can claim for yourself or someone else can do it for you.

Call DWP to start your PIP claim. Ask a doctor or other healthcare professional for form DS1500. They’ll either fill it in and give the form to you or send it directly to DWP.

You will not need to go to a face-to-face consultation.

If you need someone to help you, ask DWP to add them to your call when you:

phone

use Relay UK

use the video relay service

You may be able to get other benefits if you’re terminally ill.

You must also have a physical or mental health condition or disability where you:

Personal Independence Payment (PIP)

Overview

Personal Independence Payment (PIP) can help you with some of the extra costs if you have a long term physical or mental health condition or disability.

This guide is also available in Welsh (Cymraeg).

The amount you get depends on how your condition affects you, not the condition itself. You’ll be assessed by a health professional to work out the level of help you can get.

Your carer could get Carer’s Allowance if you have substantial caring needs.

If you get Disability Living Allowance (DLA)

Disability Living Allowance (DLA) is being replaced by PIP for most adults. You’ll keep getting DLA if:

you’re under 16

you were born on or before 8 April 1948

If you were born after 8 April 1948, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) will invite you to apply for PIP. You do not need to do anything until DWP writes to you about your DLA unless your circumstances change.

Help with PIP

You can contact a local support organisation or Citizens Advice to get help understanding PIP.

Eligibility

You can get Personal Independence Payment (PIP) whether you’re working or not.

You must be aged 16 or over and usually have not reached State Pension age to claim.

have had difficulties with daily living or getting around (or both) for 3 months

expect these difficulties to continue for at least 9 months

Find out about PIP if you live in Northern Ireland.

There are different rules if you’re terminally ill and a healthcare professional has said you might have less than 6 months to live.

You cannot get PIP and Armed Forces Independence Payment at the same time.

Daily living difficulties

You may get the daily living part of PIP if you need help more than half of the time with things like:

preparing or eating food

washing, bathing and using the toilet

dressing and undressing

reading and communicating

managing your medicines or treatments

making decisions about money

engaging with other people

Mobility difficulties

You may get the mobility part of PIP if you need help going out or moving around.

How you’re assessed

You’ll be assessed by an independent healthcare professional to work out the level of help you need.

If you’ve reached State Pension age

You can get PIP if you:

were already getting PIP before you reached State Pension age and your condition has not changed

have been claiming Disability Living Allowance (DLA) and you’ve had a letter inviting you to apply for PIP

You may get PIP if you previously got it and you were still entitled to it within the last year.

If you cannot get PIP, you can apply for Attendance Allowance instead.

Living abroad

You might still be able to get PIP if you:

live in an EU or EEA country or Switzerland - you can only get help with daily living needs

are a member or family member of the Armed Forces

If you’re not a British citizen

You must:

normally live in or show that you intend to settle in the UK, Ireland, the Isle of Man or the Channel Islands

not be subject to immigration control (unless you’re a sponsored immigrant)

You might still be able to get PIP if you are a refugee or have humanitarian protection status.

What you’ll get

Personal Independence Payment (PIP) is made up of 2 parts - a daily living part and a mobility part. Whether you get one or both of these and how much you’ll get depends on how severely your condition affects you.

You’ll need an assessment to work out how much you’ll get. Your rate will be regularly reviewed to make sure you’re getting the right support.

PIP is tax free. The amount you get is not affected by your income or savings.

You need to tell DWP straight away if there’s a change in your personal circumstances or how your condition affects you.

Daily living part

The weekly rate for the daily living part of PIP is either £60.00 or £89.60.

Mobility part

The weekly rate for the mobility part of PIP is either £23.70 or £62.55.

Terminal illness

You’ll get the higher daily living part if you’re not expected to live more than 6 months. The rate of the mobility part depends on your needs.

How other benefits affect your PIP

The daily living part of your PIP will be reduced if you get any of the following benefits:

Constant Attendance Allowance

War Pensioners’ Mobility Supplement

How you’re paid

PIP is usually paid every 4 weeks.

Your decision letter will tell you:

the date of your first payment

what day of the week you’ll usually be paid

If your payment date is on a bank holiday, you’ll usually be paid before the bank holiday. After that you’ll continue to get paid as normal.

All benefits, pensions and allowances are paid into your bank, building society or credit union account.

Other help

You or your carer might also qualify for other financial help, for example Carer’s Allowance, or help with housing or transport costs.

If you get PIP and you work, you might also be able to get the disability element of Working Tax Credit (up to £3,220 a year, or up to £4,610 if your disability is severe). Contact HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) to find out.

How to claim

Call the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to make a new Personal Independence Payment (PIP) claim.

There is a different way to claim if you’re terminally ill.

Find out how to claim if you live in Northern Ireland.

Claim by telephone or textphone

Before you call, you’ll need:

your contact details, for example telephone number

your date of birth

your National Insurance number - this is on letters about tax, pensions and benefits

your bank or building society account number and sort code

your doctor or health worker’s name, address and telephone number

dates and addresses for any time you’ve spent in a care home or hospital

dates for any time you spent abroad for more than 4 weeks at a time, and the countries you visited

If you need someone to help you, ask DWP to add them to your call when you:

phone

use Relay UK

use the video relay service

You cannot do this if you use textphone.

If you cannot use any of these, someone else can call on your behalf, but you’ll need to be with them when they call.

Claim by post

You can get a form to send information by post (although this can delay the decision on your claim). Write a letter to ask for the form.

What happens next

You’ll be sent a ‘How your disability affects you’ form. Call the PIP enquiry line if you need it in an alternative format such as braille, large print or audio CD.

Fill in the form using the notes that come with it to help you. You can also read Citizens Advice’s help on filling in the form.

Return the form to DWP - the address is on the form. You have 1 month to return the form. DWP will start processing your claim when they receive your form. Contact the PIP enquiry line if you need more time.

You’ll get a letter that tells you whether you’ll get PIP. If you do, you’ll be told how much you’ll get, when you’ll be paid and the date your PIP will be reviewed so that you continue to get the right support.

You cannot apply using any Disability Living Allowance (DLA) forms you may have.

If you disagree with a decision

You can challenge a decision about your claim. This is called asking for ‘mandatory reconsideration’.

If your PIP claim is reviewed

The letter you got when your Personal Independence Payment (PIP) was approved will tell you when your claim will end and if it will be reviewed.

If your claim is going to be reviewed, the letter will tell you when you’ll be contacted about the review.

How PIP reviews work

You will continue to get PIP while your claim is being reviewed.

You’ll get a letter asking you to fill in a form called ‘Award review - how your disability affects you’.

Fill in the form using the notes that come with it.

You’ll get a letter that tells you what will happen with your PIP. If your needs have changed, your PIP might be increased, reduced or stopped.

If you disagree with a decision

You can challenge a decision about your claim. This is called asking for mandatory reconsideration.

Change of circumstances

You must contact the Personal Independence Payment (PIP) enquiry line if:

your personal details change, for example your name, address or doctor

the help you need or your condition changes

your condition has worsened and you’re not expected to live more than 6 months

you go into hospital or a care home

you go abroad

you’re imprisoned or held in detention

your immigration status changes, if you’re not a British citizen

You could be taken to court or have to pay a penalty if you give wrong information or do not report a change in your circumstances.

How to report a change of circumstances

Contact the PIP enquiry line to report a change of circumstances.

If you need someone to help you, ask the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to add them to your call when you:

phone

use Relay UK

use the video relay service

You cannot do this if you use textphone.

If you cannot use any of these, someone else can call on your behalf, but you’ll need to be with them when they call.

If you’ve been paid too much

You may have to repay the money if you:

did not report a change straight away

gave wrong information

were overpaid by mistake

Find out how to repay the money you owe from benefit overpayment.

Claiming PIP if you're terminally ill

You can get Personal Independence Payment (PIP) more quickly if you’re terminally ill.

You can claim PIP if:

your doctor or a healthcare professional has said you might have less than 6 months to live

you are aged 16 or over and usually have not reached State Pension age

How to claim

You can claim for yourself or someone else can do it for you.

Call DWP to start your PIP claim. Ask a doctor or other healthcare professional for form DS1500. They’ll either fill it in and give the form to you or send it directly to DWP.

You will not need to go to a face-to-face consultation.

If you need someone to help you, ask DWP to add them to your call when you:

phone

use Relay UK

use the video relay service

You may be able to get other benefits if you’re terminally ill.

have had difficulties with daily living or getting around (or both) for 3 months

Personal Independence Payment (PIP)

Overview

Personal Independence Payment (PIP) can help you with some of the extra costs if you have a long term physical or mental health condition or disability.

This guide is also available in Welsh (Cymraeg).

The amount you get depends on how your condition affects you, not the condition itself. You’ll be assessed by a health professional to work out the level of help you can get.

Your carer could get Carer’s Allowance if you have substantial caring needs.

If you get Disability Living Allowance (DLA)

Disability Living Allowance (DLA) is being replaced by PIP for most adults. You’ll keep getting DLA if:

you’re under 16

you were born on or before 8 April 1948

If you were born after 8 April 1948, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) will invite you to apply for PIP. You do not need to do anything until DWP writes to you about your DLA unless your circumstances change.

Help with PIP

You can contact a local support organisation or Citizens Advice to get help understanding PIP.

Eligibility

You can get Personal Independence Payment (PIP) whether you’re working or not.

You must be aged 16 or over and usually have not reached State Pension age to claim.

You must also have a physical or mental health condition or disability where you:

expect these difficulties to continue for at least 9 months

Find out about PIP if you live in Northern Ireland.

There are different rules if you’re terminally ill and a healthcare professional has said you might have less than 6 months to live.

You cannot get PIP and Armed Forces Independence Payment at the same time.

Daily living difficulties

You may get the daily living part of PIP if you need help more than half of the time with things like:

preparing or eating food

washing, bathing and using the toilet

dressing and undressing

reading and communicating

managing your medicines or treatments

making decisions about money

engaging with other people

Mobility difficulties

You may get the mobility part of PIP if you need help going out or moving around.

How you’re assessed

You’ll be assessed by an independent healthcare professional to work out the level of help you need.

If you’ve reached State Pension age

You can get PIP if you:

were already getting PIP before you reached State Pension age and your condition has not changed

have been claiming Disability Living Allowance (DLA) and you’ve had a letter inviting you to apply for PIP

You may get PIP if you previously got it and you were still entitled to it within the last year.

If you cannot get PIP, you can apply for Attendance Allowance instead.

Living abroad

You might still be able to get PIP if you:

live in an EU or EEA country or Switzerland - you can only get help with daily living needs

are a member or family member of the Armed Forces

If you’re not a British citizen

You must:

normally live in or show that you intend to settle in the UK, Ireland, the Isle of Man or the Channel Islands

not be subject to immigration control (unless you’re a sponsored immigrant)

You might still be able to get PIP if you are a refugee or have humanitarian protection status.

What you’ll get

Personal Independence Payment (PIP) is made up of 2 parts - a daily living part and a mobility part. Whether you get one or both of these and how much you’ll get depends on how severely your condition affects you.

You’ll need an assessment to work out how much you’ll get. Your rate will be regularly reviewed to make sure you’re getting the right support.

PIP is tax free. The amount you get is not affected by your income or savings.

You need to tell DWP straight away if there’s a change in your personal circumstances or how your condition affects you.

Daily living part

The weekly rate for the daily living part of PIP is either £60.00 or £89.60.

Mobility part

The weekly rate for the mobility part of PIP is either £23.70 or £62.55.

Terminal illness

You’ll get the higher daily living part if you’re not expected to live more than 6 months. The rate of the mobility part depends on your needs.

How other benefits affect your PIP

The daily living part of your PIP will be reduced if you get any of the following benefits:

Constant Attendance Allowance

War Pensioners’ Mobility Supplement

How you’re paid

PIP is usually paid every 4 weeks.

Your decision letter will tell you:

the date of your first payment

what day of the week you’ll usually be paid

If your payment date is on a bank holiday, you’ll usually be paid before the bank holiday. After that you’ll continue to get paid as normal.

All benefits, pensions and allowances are paid into your bank, building society or credit union account.

Other help

You or your carer might also qualify for other financial help, for example Carer’s Allowance, or help with housing or transport costs.

If you get PIP and you work, you might also be able to get the disability element of Working Tax Credit (up to £3,220 a year, or up to £4,610 if your disability is severe). Contact HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) to find out.

How to claim

Call the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to make a new Personal Independence Payment (PIP) claim.

There is a different way to claim if you’re terminally ill.

Find out how to claim if you live in Northern Ireland.

Claim by telephone or textphone

Before you call, you’ll need:

your contact details, for example telephone number

your date of birth

your National Insurance number - this is on letters about tax, pensions and benefits

your bank or building society account number and sort code

your doctor or health worker’s name, address and telephone number

dates and addresses for any time you’ve spent in a care home or hospital

dates for any time you spent abroad for more than 4 weeks at a time, and the countries you visited

If you need someone to help you, ask DWP to add them to your call when you:

phone

use Relay UK

use the video relay service

You cannot do this if you use textphone.

If you cannot use any of these, someone else can call on your behalf, but you’ll need to be with them when they call.

Claim by post

You can get a form to send information by post (although this can delay the decision on your claim). Write a letter to ask for the form.

What happens next

You’ll be sent a ‘How your disability affects you’ form. Call the PIP enquiry line if you need it in an alternative format such as braille, large print or audio CD.

Fill in the form using the notes that come with it to help you. You can also read Citizens Advice’s help on filling in the form.

Return the form to DWP - the address is on the form. You have 1 month to return the form. DWP will start processing your claim when they receive your form. Contact the PIP enquiry line if you need more time.

You’ll get a letter that tells you whether you’ll get PIP. If you do, you’ll be told how much you’ll get, when you’ll be paid and the date your PIP will be reviewed so that you continue to get the right support.

You cannot apply using any Disability Living Allowance (DLA) forms you may have.

If you disagree with a decision

You can challenge a decision about your claim. This is called asking for ‘mandatory reconsideration’.

If your PIP claim is reviewed

The letter you got when your Personal Independence Payment (PIP) was approved will tell you when your claim will end and if it will be reviewed.

If your claim is going to be reviewed, the letter will tell you when you’ll be contacted about the review.

How PIP reviews work

You will continue to get PIP while your claim is being reviewed.

You’ll get a letter asking you to fill in a form called ‘Award review - how your disability affects you’.

Fill in the form using the notes that come with it.

You’ll get a letter that tells you what will happen with your PIP. If your needs have changed, your PIP might be increased, reduced or stopped.

If you disagree with a decision

You can challenge a decision about your claim. This is called asking for mandatory reconsideration.

Change of circumstances

You must contact the Personal Independence Payment (PIP) enquiry line if:

your personal details change, for example your name, address or doctor

the help you need or your condition changes

your condition has worsened and you’re not expected to live more than 6 months

you go into hospital or a care home

you go abroad

you’re imprisoned or held in detention

your immigration status changes, if you’re not a British citizen

You could be taken to court or have to pay a penalty if you give wrong information or do not report a change in your circumstances.

How to report a change of circumstances

Contact the PIP enquiry line to report a change of circumstances.

If you need someone to help you, ask the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to add them to your call when you:

phone

use Relay UK

use the video relay service

You cannot do this if you use textphone.

If you cannot use any of these, someone else can call on your behalf, but you’ll need to be with them when they call.

If you’ve been paid too much

You may have to repay the money if you:

did not report a change straight away

gave wrong information

were overpaid by mistake

Find out how to repay the money you owe from benefit overpayment.

Claiming PIP if you're terminally ill

You can get Personal Independence Payment (PIP) more quickly if you’re terminally ill.

You can claim PIP if:

your doctor or a healthcare professional has said you might have less than 6 months to live

you are aged 16 or over and usually have not reached State Pension age

How to claim

You can claim for yourself or someone else can do it for you.

Call DWP to start your PIP claim. Ask a doctor or other healthcare professional for form DS1500. They’ll either fill it in and give the form to you or send it directly to DWP.

You will not need to go to a face-to-face consultation.

If you need someone to help you, ask DWP to add them to your call when you:

phone

use Relay UK

use the video relay service

You may be able to get other benefits if you’re terminally ill.

expect these difficulties to continue for at least 9 months

Personal Independence Payment (PIP)

Overview

Personal Independence Payment (PIP) can help you with some of the extra costs if you have a long term physical or mental health condition or disability.

This guide is also available in Welsh (Cymraeg).

The amount you get depends on how your condition affects you, not the condition itself. You’ll be assessed by a health professional to work out the level of help you can get.

Your carer could get Carer’s Allowance if you have substantial caring needs.

If you get Disability Living Allowance (DLA)

Disability Living Allowance (DLA) is being replaced by PIP for most adults. You’ll keep getting DLA if:

you’re under 16

you were born on or before 8 April 1948

If you were born after 8 April 1948, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) will invite you to apply for PIP. You do not need to do anything until DWP writes to you about your DLA unless your circumstances change.

Help with PIP

You can contact a local support organisation or Citizens Advice to get help understanding PIP.

Eligibility

You can get Personal Independence Payment (PIP) whether you’re working or not.

You must be aged 16 or over and usually have not reached State Pension age to claim.

You must also have a physical or mental health condition or disability where you:

have had difficulties with daily living or getting around (or both) for 3 months

You usually need to have lived in England, Scotland or Wales for at least 2 of the last 3 years, and be in one of these countries when you apply. If you’ve recently returned from living in an EEA country, you might be able to get PIP sooner.

Find out about PIP if you live in Northern Ireland.

There are different rules if you’re terminally ill and a healthcare professional has said you might have less than 6 months to live.

You cannot get PIP and Armed Forces Independence Payment at the same time.

Daily living difficulties

You may get the daily living part of PIP if you need help more than half of the time with things like:

preparing or eating food

washing, bathing and using the toilet

dressing and undressing

reading and communicating

managing your medicines or treatments

making decisions about money

engaging with other people

Mobility difficulties

You may get the mobility part of PIP if you need help going out or moving around.

How you’re assessed

You’ll be assessed by an independent healthcare professional to work out the level of help you need.

If you’ve reached State Pension age

You can get PIP if you:

were already getting PIP before you reached State Pension age and your condition has not changed

have been claiming Disability Living Allowance (DLA) and you’ve had a letter inviting you to apply for PIP

You may get PIP if you previously got it and you were still entitled to it within the last year.

If you cannot get PIP, you can apply for Attendance Allowance instead.

Living abroad

You might still be able to get PIP if you:

live in an EU or EEA country or Switzerland - you can only get help with daily living needs

are a member or family member of the Armed Forces

If you’re not a British citizen

You must:

normally live in or show that you intend to settle in the UK, Ireland, the Isle of Man or the Channel Islands

not be subject to immigration control (unless you’re a sponsored immigrant)

You might still be able to get PIP if you are a refugee or have humanitarian protection status.

What you’ll get

Personal Independence Payment (PIP) is made up of 2 parts - a daily living part and a mobility part. Whether you get one or both of these and how much you’ll get depends on how severely your condition affects you.

You’ll need an assessment to work out how much you’ll get. Your rate will be regularly reviewed to make sure you’re getting the right support.

PIP is tax free. The amount you get is not affected by your income or savings.

You need to tell DWP straight away if there’s a change in your personal circumstances or how your condition affects you.

Daily living part

The weekly rate for the daily living part of PIP is either £60.00 or £89.60.

Mobility part

The weekly rate for the mobility part of PIP is either £23.70 or £62.55.

Terminal illness

You’ll get the higher daily living part if you’re not expected to live more than 6 months. The rate of the mobility part depends on your needs.

How other benefits affect your PIP

The daily living part of your PIP will be reduced if you get any of the following benefits:

Constant Attendance Allowance

War Pensioners’ Mobility Supplement

How you’re paid

PIP is usually paid every 4 weeks.

Your decision letter will tell you:

the date of your first payment

what day of the week you’ll usually be paid

If your payment date is on a bank holiday, you’ll usually be paid before the bank holiday. After that you’ll continue to get paid as normal.

All benefits, pensions and allowances are paid into your bank, building society or credit union account.

Other help

You or your carer might also qualify for other financial help, for example Carer’s Allowance, or help with housing or transport costs.

If you get PIP and you work, you might also be able to get the disability element of Working Tax Credit (up to £3,220 a year, or up to £4,610 if your disability is severe). Contact HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) to find out.

How to claim

Call the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to make a new Personal Independence Payment (PIP) claim.

There is a different way to claim if you’re terminally ill.

Find out how to claim if you live in Northern Ireland.

Claim by telephone or textphone

Before you call, you’ll need:

your contact details, for example telephone number

your date of birth

your National Insurance number - this is on letters about tax, pensions and benefits

your bank or building society account number and sort code

your doctor or health worker’s name, address and telephone number

dates and addresses for any time you’ve spent in a care home or hospital

dates for any time you spent abroad for more than 4 weeks at a time, and the countries you visited

If you need someone to help you, ask DWP to add them to your call when you:

phone

use Relay UK

use the video relay service

You cannot do this if you use textphone.

If you cannot use any of these, someone else can call on your behalf, but you’ll need to be with them when they call.

Claim by post

You can get a form to send information by post (although this can delay the decision on your claim). Write a letter to ask for the form.

What happens next

You’ll be sent a ‘How your disability affects you’ form. Call the PIP enquiry line if you need it in an alternative format such as braille, large print or audio CD.

Fill in the form using the notes that come with it to help you. You can also read Citizens Advice’s help on filling in the form.

Return the form to DWP - the address is on the form. You have 1 month to return the form. DWP will start processing your claim when they receive your form. Contact the PIP enquiry line if you need more time.

You’ll get a letter that tells you whether you’ll get PIP. If you do, you’ll be told how much you’ll get, when you’ll be paid and the date your PIP will be reviewed so that you continue to get the right support.

You cannot apply using any Disability Living Allowance (DLA) forms you may have.

If you disagree with a decision

You can challenge a decision about your claim. This is called asking for ‘mandatory reconsideration’.

If your PIP claim is reviewed

The letter you got when your Personal Independence Payment (PIP) was approved will tell you when your claim will end and if it will be reviewed.

If your claim is going to be reviewed, the letter will tell you when you’ll be contacted about the review.

How PIP reviews work

You will continue to get PIP while your claim is being reviewed.

You’ll get a letter asking you to fill in a form called ‘Award review - how your disability affects you’.

Fill in the form using the notes that come with it.

DWP will review your form. If they need more information, an independent health professional might phone you to ask some questions or send a letter inviting you to an assessment. Assessments can be in person, over the phone or by video call.

You’ll get a letter that tells you what will happen with your PIP. If your needs have changed, your PIP might be increased, reduced or stopped.

If you disagree with a decision

You can challenge a decision about your claim. This is called asking for mandatory reconsideration.

Change of circumstances

You must contact the Personal Independence Payment (PIP) enquiry line if:

your personal details change, for example your name, address or doctor

the help you need or your condition changes

your condition has worsened and you’re not expected to live more than 6 months

you go into hospital or a care home

you go abroad

you’re imprisoned or held in detention

your immigration status changes, if you’re not a British citizen

You could be taken to court or have to pay a penalty if you give wrong information or do not report a change in your circumstances.

How to report a change of circumstances

Contact the PIP enquiry line to report a change of circumstances.

If you need someone to help you, ask the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to add them to your call when you:

phone

use Relay UK

use the video relay service

You cannot do this if you use textphone.

If you cannot use any of these, someone else can call on your behalf, but you’ll need to be with them when they call.

If you’ve been paid too much

You may have to repay the money if you:

did not report a change straight away

gave wrong information

were overpaid by mistake

Find out how to repay the money you owe from benefit overpayment.

Claiming PIP if you're terminally ill

You can get Personal Independence Payment (PIP) more quickly if you’re terminally ill.

You can claim PIP if:

your doctor or a healthcare professional has said you might have less than 6 months to live

you are aged 16 or over and usually have not reached State Pension age

How to claim

You can claim for yourself or someone else can do it for you.

Call DWP to start your PIP claim. Ask a doctor or other healthcare professional for form DS1500. They’ll either fill it in and give the form to you or send it directly to DWP.

You will not need to go to a face-to-face consultation.

If you need someone to help you, ask DWP to add them to your call when you:

phone

use Relay UK

use the video relay service

You may be able to get other benefits if you’re terminally ill.

You may get the daily living part of PIP if you need help more than half of the time with things like:

Personal Independence Payment (PIP)

Overview

Personal Independence Payment (PIP) can help you with some of the extra costs if you have a long term physical or mental health condition or disability.

This guide is also available in Welsh (Cymraeg).

The amount you get depends on how your condition affects you, not the condition itself. You’ll be assessed by a health professional to work out the level of help you can get.

Your carer could get Carer’s Allowance if you have substantial caring needs.

If you get Disability Living Allowance (DLA)

Disability Living Allowance (DLA) is being replaced by PIP for most adults. You’ll keep getting DLA if:

you’re under 16

you were born on or before 8 April 1948

If you were born after 8 April 1948, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) will invite you to apply for PIP. You do not need to do anything until DWP writes to you about your DLA unless your circumstances change.

Help with PIP

You can contact a local support organisation or Citizens Advice to get help understanding PIP.

Eligibility

You can get Personal Independence Payment (PIP) whether you’re working or not.

You must be aged 16 or over and usually have not reached State Pension age to claim.

You must also have a physical or mental health condition or disability where you:

have had difficulties with daily living or getting around (or both) for 3 months

expect these difficulties to continue for at least 9 months

You usually need to have lived in England, Scotland or Wales for at least 2 of the last 3 years, and be in one of these countries when you apply. If you’ve recently returned from living in an EEA country, you might be able to get PIP sooner.

Find out about PIP if you live in Northern Ireland.

There are different rules if you’re terminally ill and a healthcare professional has said you might have less than 6 months to live.

You cannot get PIP and Armed Forces Independence Payment at the same time.

Daily living difficulties

You may get the daily living part of PIP if you need help more than half of the time with things like:

preparing or eating food

washing, bathing and using the toilet

dressing and undressing

reading and communicating

managing your medicines or treatments

making decisions about money

engaging with other people

Mobility difficulties

You may get the mobility part of PIP if you need help going out or moving around.

How you’re assessed

You’ll be assessed by an independent healthcare professional to work out the level of help you need.

If you’ve reached State Pension age

You can get PIP if you:

were already getting PIP before you reached State Pension age and your condition has not changed

have been claiming Disability Living Allowance (DLA) and you’ve had a letter inviting you to apply for PIP

You may get PIP if you previously got it and you were still entitled to it within the last year.

If you cannot get PIP, you can apply for Attendance Allowance instead.

Living abroad

You might still be able to get PIP if you:

live in an EU or EEA country or Switzerland - you can only get help with daily living needs

are a member or family member of the Armed Forces

If you’re not a British citizen

You must:

normally live in or show that you intend to settle in the UK, Ireland, the Isle of Man or the Channel Islands

not be subject to immigration control (unless you’re a sponsored immigrant)

You might still be able to get PIP if you are a refugee or have humanitarian protection status.

What you’ll get

Personal Independence Payment (PIP) is made up of 2 parts - a daily living part and a mobility part. Whether you get one or both of these and how much you’ll get depends on how severely your condition affects you.

You’ll need an assessment to work out how much you’ll get. Your rate will be regularly reviewed to make sure you’re getting the right support.

PIP is tax free. The amount you get is not affected by your income or savings.

You need to tell DWP straight away if there’s a change in your personal circumstances or how your condition affects you.

Daily living part

The weekly rate for the daily living part of PIP is either £60.00 or £89.60.

Mobility part

The weekly rate for the mobility part of PIP is either £23.70 or £62.55.

Terminal illness

You’ll get the higher daily living part if you’re not expected to live more than 6 months. The rate of the mobility part depends on your needs.

How other benefits affect your PIP

The daily living part of your PIP will be reduced if you get any of the following benefits:

Constant Attendance Allowance

War Pensioners’ Mobility Supplement

How you’re paid

PIP is usually paid every 4 weeks.

Your decision letter will tell you:

the date of your first payment

what day of the week you’ll usually be paid

If your payment date is on a bank holiday, you’ll usually be paid before the bank holiday. After that you’ll continue to get paid as normal.

All benefits, pensions and allowances are paid into your bank, building society or credit union account.

Other help

You or your carer might also qualify for other financial help, for example Carer’s Allowance, or help with housing or transport costs.

If you get PIP and you work, you might also be able to get the disability element of Working Tax Credit (up to £3,220 a year, or up to £4,610 if your disability is severe). Contact HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) to find out.

How to claim

Call the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to make a new Personal Independence Payment (PIP) claim.

There is a different way to claim if you’re terminally ill.

Find out how to claim if you live in Northern Ireland.

Claim by telephone or textphone

Before you call, you’ll need:

your contact details, for example telephone number

your date of birth

your National Insurance number - this is on letters about tax, pensions and benefits

your bank or building society account number and sort code

your doctor or health worker’s name, address and telephone number

dates and addresses for any time you’ve spent in a care home or hospital

dates for any time you spent abroad for more than 4 weeks at a time, and the countries you visited

If you need someone to help you, ask DWP to add them to your call when you:

phone

use Relay UK

use the video relay service

You cannot do this if you use textphone.

If you cannot use any of these, someone else can call on your behalf, but you’ll need to be with them when they call.

Claim by post

You can get a form to send information by post (although this can delay the decision on your claim). Write a letter to ask for the form.

What happens next

You’ll be sent a ‘How your disability affects you’ form. Call the PIP enquiry line if you need it in an alternative format such as braille, large print or audio CD.

Fill in the form using the notes that come with it to help you. You can also read Citizens Advice’s help on filling in the form.

Return the form to DWP - the address is on the form. You have 1 month to return the form. DWP will start processing your claim when they receive your form. Contact the PIP enquiry line if you need more time.

You’ll get a letter that tells you whether you’ll get PIP. If you do, you’ll be told how much you’ll get, when you’ll be paid and the date your PIP will be reviewed so that you continue to get the right support.

You cannot apply using any Disability Living Allowance (DLA) forms you may have.

If you disagree with a decision

You can challenge a decision about your claim. This is called asking for ‘mandatory reconsideration’.

If your PIP claim is reviewed

The letter you got when your Personal Independence Payment (PIP) was approved will tell you when your claim will end and if it will be reviewed.

If your claim is going to be reviewed, the letter will tell you when you’ll be contacted about the review.

How PIP reviews work

You will continue to get PIP while your claim is being reviewed.

You’ll get a letter asking you to fill in a form called ‘Award review - how your disability affects you’.

Fill in the form using the notes that come with it.

DWP will review your form. If they need more information, an independent health professional might phone you to ask some questions or send a letter inviting you to an assessment. Assessments can be in person, over the phone or by video call.

You’ll get a letter that tells you what will happen with your PIP. If your needs have changed, your PIP might be increased, reduced or stopped.

If you disagree with a decision

You can challenge a decision about your claim. This is called asking for mandatory reconsideration.

Change of circumstances

You must contact the Personal Independence Payment (PIP) enquiry line if:

your personal details change, for example your name, address or doctor

the help you need or your condition changes

your condition has worsened and you’re not expected to live more than 6 months

you go into hospital or a care home

you go abroad

you’re imprisoned or held in detention

your immigration status changes, if you’re not a British citizen

You could be taken to court or have to pay a penalty if you give wrong information or do not report a change in your circumstances.

How to report a change of circumstances

Contact the PIP enquiry line to report a change of circumstances.

If you need someone to help you, ask the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to add them to your call when you:

phone

use Relay UK

use the video relay service

You cannot do this if you use textphone.

If you cannot use any of these, someone else can call on your behalf, but you’ll need to be with them when they call.

If you’ve been paid too much

You may have to repay the money if you:

did not report a change straight away

gave wrong information

were overpaid by mistake

Find out how to repay the money you owe from benefit overpayment.

Claiming PIP if you're terminally ill

You can get Personal Independence Payment (PIP) more quickly if you’re terminally ill.

You can claim PIP if:

your doctor or a healthcare professional has said you might have less than 6 months to live

you are aged 16 or over and usually have not reached State Pension age

How to claim

You can claim for yourself or someone else can do it for you.

Call DWP to start your PIP claim. Ask a doctor or other healthcare professional for form DS1500. They’ll either fill it in and give the form to you or send it directly to DWP.

You will not need to go to a face-to-face consultation.

If you need someone to help you, ask DWP to add them to your call when you:

phone

use Relay UK

use the video relay service

You may be able to get other benefits if you’re terminally ill.

preparing or eating food

Personal Independence Payment (PIP)

Overview

Personal Independence Payment (PIP) can help you with some of the extra costs if you have a long term physical or mental health condition or disability.

This guide is also available in Welsh (Cymraeg).

The amount you get depends on how your condition affects you, not the condition itself. You’ll be assessed by a health professional to work out the level of help you can get.

Your carer could get Carer’s Allowance if you have substantial caring needs.

If you get Disability Living Allowance (DLA)

Disability Living Allowance (DLA) is being replaced by PIP for most adults. You’ll keep getting DLA if:

you’re under 16

you were born on or before 8 April 1948

If you were born after 8 April 1948, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) will invite you to apply for PIP. You do not need to do anything until DWP writes to you about your DLA unless your circumstances change.

Help with PIP

You can contact a local support organisation or Citizens Advice to get help understanding PIP.

Eligibility

You can get Personal Independence Payment (PIP) whether you’re working or not.

You must be aged 16 or over and usually have not reached State Pension age to claim.

You must also have a physical or mental health condition or disability where you:

have had difficulties with daily living or getting around (or both) for 3 months

expect these difficulties to continue for at least 9 months

You usually need to have lived in England, Scotland or Wales for at least 2 of the last 3 years, and be in one of these countries when you apply. If you’ve recently returned from living in an EEA country, you might be able to get PIP sooner.

Find out about PIP if you live in Northern Ireland.

There are different rules if you’re terminally ill and a healthcare professional has said you might have less than 6 months to live.

You cannot get PIP and Armed Forces Independence Payment at the same time.

Daily living difficulties

You may get the daily living part of PIP if you need help more than half of the time with things like:

preparing or eating food

washing, bathing and using the toilet

dressing and undressing

reading and communicating

managing your medicines or treatments

making decisions about money

engaging with other people

Mobility difficulties

You may get the mobility part of PIP if you need help going out or moving around.

How you’re assessed

You’ll be assessed by an independent healthcare professional to work out the level of help you need.

If you’ve reached State Pension age

You can get PIP if you:

were already getting PIP before you reached State Pension age and your condition has not changed

have been claiming Disability Living Allowance (DLA) and you’ve had a letter inviting you to apply for PIP

You may get PIP if you previously got it and you were still entitled to it within the last year.

If you cannot get PIP, you can apply for Attendance Allowance instead.

Living abroad

You might still be able to get PIP if you:

live in an EU or EEA country or Switzerland - you can only get help with daily living needs

are a member or family member of the Armed Forces

If you’re not a British citizen

You must:

normally live in or show that you intend to settle in the UK, Ireland, the Isle of Man or the Channel Islands

not be subject to immigration control (unless you’re a sponsored immigrant)

You might still be able to get PIP if you are a refugee or have humanitarian protection status.

What you’ll get

Personal Independence Payment (PIP) is made up of 2 parts - a daily living part and a mobility part. Whether you get one or both of these and how much you’ll get depends on how severely your condition affects you.

You’ll need an assessment to work out how much you’ll get. Your rate will be regularly reviewed to make sure you’re getting the right support.

PIP is tax free. The amount you get is not affected by your income or savings.

You need to tell DWP straight away if there’s a change in your personal circumstances or how your condition affects you.

Daily living part

The weekly rate for the daily living part of PIP is either £60.00 or £89.60.

Mobility part

The weekly rate for the mobility part of PIP is either £23.70 or £62.55.

Terminal illness

You’ll get the higher daily living part if you’re not expected to live more than 6 months. The rate of the mobility part depends on your needs.

How other benefits affect your PIP

The daily living part of your PIP will be reduced if you get any of the following benefits:

Constant Attendance Allowance

War Pensioners’ Mobility Supplement

How you’re paid

PIP is usually paid every 4 weeks.

Your decision letter will tell you:

the date of your first payment

what day of the week you’ll usually be paid

If your payment date is on a bank holiday, you’ll usually be paid before the bank holiday. After that you’ll continue to get paid as normal.

All benefits, pensions and allowances are paid into your bank, building society or credit union account.

Other help

You or your carer might also qualify for other financial help, for example Carer’s Allowance, or help with housing or transport costs.

If you get PIP and you work, you might also be able to get the disability element of Working Tax Credit (up to £3,220 a year, or up to £4,610 if your disability is severe). Contact HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) to find out.

How to claim

Call the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to make a new Personal Independence Payment (PIP) claim.

There is a different way to claim if you’re terminally ill.

Find out how to claim if you live in Northern Ireland.

Claim by telephone or textphone

Before you call, you’ll need:

your contact details, for example telephone number

your date of birth

your National Insurance number - this is on letters about tax, pensions and benefits

your bank or building society account number and sort code

your doctor or health worker’s name, address and telephone number

dates and addresses for any time you’ve spent in a care home or hospital

dates for any time you spent abroad for more than 4 weeks at a time, and the countries you visited

If you need someone to help you, ask DWP to add them to your call when you:

phone

use Relay UK

use the video relay service

You cannot do this if you use textphone.

If you cannot use any of these, someone else can call on your behalf, but you’ll need to be with them when they call.

Claim by post

You can get a form to send information by post (although this can delay the decision on your claim). Write a letter to ask for the form.

What happens next

You’ll be sent a ‘How your disability affects you’ form. Call the PIP enquiry line if you need it in an alternative format such as braille, large print or audio CD.

Fill in the form using the notes that come with it to help you. You can also read Citizens Advice’s help on filling in the form.

Return the form to DWP - the address is on the form. You have 1 month to return the form. DWP will start processing your claim when they receive your form. Contact the PIP enquiry line if you need more time.

You’ll get a letter that tells you whether you’ll get PIP. If you do, you’ll be told how much you’ll get, when you’ll be paid and the date your PIP will be reviewed so that you continue to get the right support.

You cannot apply using any Disability Living Allowance (DLA) forms you may have.

If you disagree with a decision

You can challenge a decision about your claim. This is called asking for ‘mandatory reconsideration’.

If your PIP claim is reviewed

The letter you got when your Personal Independence Payment (PIP) was approved will tell you when your claim will end and if it will be reviewed.

If your claim is going to be reviewed, the letter will tell you when you’ll be contacted about the review.

How PIP reviews work

You will continue to get PIP while your claim is being reviewed.

You’ll get a letter asking you to fill in a form called ‘Award review - how your disability affects you’.

Fill in the form using the notes that come with it.

DWP will review your form. If they need more information, an independent health professional might phone you to ask some questions or send a letter inviting you to an assessment. Assessments can be in person, over the phone or by video call.

You’ll get a letter that tells you what will happen with your PIP. If your needs have changed, your PIP might be increased, reduced or stopped.

If you disagree with a decision

You can challenge a decision about your claim. This is called asking for mandatory reconsideration.

Change of circumstances

You must contact the Personal Independence Payment (PIP) enquiry line if:

your personal details change, for example your name, address or doctor

the help you need or your condition changes

your condition has worsened and you’re not expected to live more than 6 months

you go into hospital or a care home

you go abroad

you’re imprisoned or held in detention

your immigration status changes, if you’re not a British citizen

You could be taken to court or have to pay a penalty if you give wrong information or do not report a change in your circumstances.

How to report a change of circumstances

Contact the PIP enquiry line to report a change of circumstances.

If you need someone to help you, ask the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to add them to your call when you:

phone

use Relay UK

use the video relay service

You cannot do this if you use textphone.

If you cannot use any of these, someone else can call on your behalf, but you’ll need to be with them when they call.

If you’ve been paid too much

You may have to repay the money if you:

did not report a change straight away

gave wrong information

were overpaid by mistake

Find out how to repay the money you owe from benefit overpayment.

Claiming PIP if you're terminally ill

You can get Personal Independence Payment (PIP) more quickly if you’re terminally ill.

You can claim PIP if:

your doctor or a healthcare professional has said you might have less than 6 months to live

you are aged 16 or over and usually have not reached State Pension age

How to claim

You can claim for yourself or someone else can do it for you.

Call DWP to start your PIP claim. Ask a doctor or other healthcare professional for form DS1500. They’ll either fill it in and give the form to you or send it directly to DWP.

You will not need to go to a face-to-face consultation.

If you need someone to help you, ask DWP to add them to your call when you:

phone

use Relay UK

use the video relay service

You may be able to get other benefits if you’re terminally ill.

washing, bathing and using the toilet

Personal Independence Payment (PIP)

Overview

Personal Independence Payment (PIP) can help you with some of the extra costs if you have a long term physical or mental health condition or disability.

This guide is also available in Welsh (Cymraeg).

The amount you get depends on how your condition affects you, not the condition itself. You’ll be assessed by a health professional to work out the level of help you can get.

Your carer could get Carer’s Allowance if you have substantial caring needs.

If you get Disability Living Allowance (DLA)

Disability Living Allowance (DLA) is being replaced by PIP for most adults. You’ll keep getting DLA if:

you’re under 16

you were born on or before 8 April 1948

If you were born after 8 April 1948, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) will invite you to apply for PIP. You do not need to do anything until DWP writes to you about your DLA unless your circumstances change.

Help with PIP

You can contact a local support organisation or Citizens Advice to get help understanding PIP.

Eligibility

You can get Personal Independence Payment (PIP) whether you’re working or not.

You must be aged 16 or over and usually have not reached State Pension age to claim.

You must also have a physical or mental health condition or disability where you:

have had difficulties with daily living or getting around (or both) for 3 months

expect these difficulties to continue for at least 9 months

You usually need to have lived in England, Scotland or Wales for at least 2 of the last 3 years, and be in one of these countries when you apply. If you’ve recently returned from living in an EEA country, you might be able to get PIP sooner.

Find out about PIP if you live in Northern Ireland.

There are different rules if you’re terminally ill and a healthcare professional has said you might have less than 6 months to live.

You cannot get PIP and Armed Forces Independence Payment at the same time.

Daily living difficulties

You may get the daily living part of PIP if you need help more than half of the time with things like:

preparing or eating food

washing, bathing and using the toilet

dressing and undressing

reading and communicating

managing your medicines or treatments

making decisions about money

engaging with other people

Mobility difficulties

You may get the mobility part of PIP if you need help going out or moving around.

How you’re assessed

You’ll be assessed by an independent healthcare professional to work out the level of help you need.

If you’ve reached State Pension age

You can get PIP if you:

were already getting PIP before you reached State Pension age and your condition has not changed

have been claiming Disability Living Allowance (DLA) and you’ve had a letter inviting you to apply for PIP

You may get PIP if you previously got it and you were still entitled to it within the last year.

If you cannot get PIP, you can apply for Attendance Allowance instead.

Living abroad

You might still be able to get PIP if you:

live in an EU or EEA country or Switzerland - you can only get help with daily living needs

are a member or family member of the Armed Forces

If you’re not a British citizen

You must:

normally live in or show that you intend to settle in the UK, Ireland, the Isle of Man or the Channel Islands

not be subject to immigration control (unless you’re a sponsored immigrant)

You might still be able to get PIP if you are a refugee or have humanitarian protection status.

What you’ll get

Personal Independence Payment (PIP) is made up of 2 parts - a daily living part and a mobility part. Whether you get one or both of these and how much you’ll get depends on how severely your condition affects you.

You’ll need an assessment to work out how much you’ll get. Your rate will be regularly reviewed to make sure you’re getting the right support.

PIP is tax free. The amount you get is not affected by your income or savings.

You need to tell DWP straight away if there’s a change in your personal circumstances or how your condition affects you.

Daily living part

The weekly rate for the daily living part of PIP is either £60.00 or £89.60.

Mobility part

The weekly rate for the mobility part of PIP is either £23.70 or £62.55.

Terminal illness

You’ll get the higher daily living part if you’re not expected to live more than 6 months. The rate of the mobility part depends on your needs.

How other benefits affect your PIP

The daily living part of your PIP will be reduced if you get any of the following benefits:

Constant Attendance Allowance

War Pensioners’ Mobility Supplement

How you’re paid

PIP is usually paid every 4 weeks.

Your decision letter will tell you:

the date of your first payment

what day of the week you’ll usually be paid

If your payment date is on a bank holiday, you’ll usually be paid before the bank holiday. After that you’ll continue to get paid as normal.

All benefits, pensions and allowances are paid into your bank, building society or credit union account.

Other help

You or your carer might also qualify for other financial help, for example Carer’s Allowance, or help with housing or transport costs.

If you get PIP and you work, you might also be able to get the disability element of Working Tax Credit (up to £3,220 a year, or up to £4,610 if your disability is severe). Contact HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) to find out.

How to claim

Call the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to make a new Personal Independence Payment (PIP) claim.

There is a different way to claim if you’re terminally ill.

Find out how to claim if you live in Northern Ireland.

Claim by telephone or textphone

Before you call, you’ll need:

your contact details, for example telephone number

your date of birth

your National Insurance number - this is on letters about tax, pensions and benefits

your bank or building society account number and sort code

your doctor or health worker’s name, address and telephone number

dates and addresses for any time you’ve spent in a care home or hospital

dates for any time you spent abroad for more than 4 weeks at a time, and the countries you visited

If you need someone to help you, ask DWP to add them to your call when you:

phone

use Relay UK

use the video relay service

You cannot do this if you use textphone.

If you cannot use any of these, someone else can call on your behalf, but you’ll need to be with them when they call.

Claim by post

You can get a form to send information by post (although this can delay the decision on your claim). Write a letter to ask for the form.

What happens next

You’ll be sent a ‘How your disability affects you’ form. Call the PIP enquiry line if you need it in an alternative format such as braille, large print or audio CD.

Fill in the form using the notes that come with it to help you. You can also read Citizens Advice’s help on filling in the form.

Return the form to DWP - the address is on the form. You have 1 month to return the form. DWP will start processing your claim when they receive your form. Contact the PIP enquiry line if you need more time.

You’ll get a letter that tells you whether you’ll get PIP. If you do, you’ll be told how much you’ll get, when you’ll be paid and the date your PIP will be reviewed so that you continue to get the right support.

You cannot apply using any Disability Living Allowance (DLA) forms you may have.

If you disagree with a decision

You can challenge a decision about your claim. This is called asking for ‘mandatory reconsideration’.

If your PIP claim is reviewed

The letter you got when your Personal Independence Payment (PIP) was approved will tell you when your claim will end and if it will be reviewed.

If your claim is going to be reviewed, the letter will tell you when you’ll be contacted about the review.

How PIP reviews work

You will continue to get PIP while your claim is being reviewed.

You’ll get a letter asking you to fill in a form called ‘Award review - how your disability affects you’.

Fill in the form using the notes that come with it.

DWP will review your form. If they need more information, an independent health professional might phone you to ask some questions or send a letter inviting you to an assessment. Assessments can be in person, over the phone or by video call.

You’ll get a letter that tells you what will happen with your PIP. If your needs have changed, your PIP might be increased, reduced or stopped.

If you disagree with a decision

You can challenge a decision about your claim. This is called asking for mandatory reconsideration.

Change of circumstances

You must contact the Personal Independence Payment (PIP) enquiry line if:

your personal details change, for example your name, address or doctor

the help you need or your condition changes

your condition has worsened and you’re not expected to live more than 6 months

you go into hospital or a care home

you go abroad

you’re imprisoned or held in detention

your immigration status changes, if you’re not a British citizen

You could be taken to court or have to pay a penalty if you give wrong information or do not report a change in your circumstances.

How to report a change of circumstances

Contact the PIP enquiry line to report a change of circumstances.

If you need someone to help you, ask the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to add them to your call when you:

phone

use Relay UK

use the video relay service

You cannot do this if you use textphone.

If you cannot use any of these, someone else can call on your behalf, but you’ll need to be with them when they call.

If you’ve been paid too much

You may have to repay the money if you:

did not report a change straight away

gave wrong information

were overpaid by mistake

Find out how to repay the money you owe from benefit overpayment.

Claiming PIP if you're terminally ill

You can get Personal Independence Payment (PIP) more quickly if you’re terminally ill.

You can claim PIP if:

your doctor or a healthcare professional has said you might have less than 6 months to live

you are aged 16 or over and usually have not reached State Pension age

How to claim

You can claim for yourself or someone else can do it for you.

Call DWP to start your PIP claim. Ask a doctor or other healthcare professional for form DS1500. They’ll either fill it in and give the form to you or send it directly to DWP.

You will not need to go to a face-to-face consultation.

If you need someone to help you, ask DWP to add them to your call when you:

phone

use Relay UK

use the video relay service

You may be able to get other benefits if you’re terminally ill.

dressing and undressing

Personal Independence Payment (PIP)

Overview

Personal Independence Payment (PIP) can help you with some of the extra costs if you have a long term physical or mental health condition or disability.

This guide is also available in Welsh (Cymraeg).

The amount you get depends on how your condition affects you, not the condition itself. You’ll be assessed by a health professional to work out the level of help you can get.

Your carer could get Carer’s Allowance if you have substantial caring needs.

If you get Disability Living Allowance (DLA)

Disability Living Allowance (DLA) is being replaced by PIP for most adults. You’ll keep getting DLA if:

you’re under 16

you were born on or before 8 April 1948

If you were born after 8 April 1948, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) will invite you to apply for PIP. You do not need to do anything until DWP writes to you about your DLA unless your circumstances change.

Help with PIP

You can contact a local support organisation or Citizens Advice to get help understanding PIP.

Eligibility

You can get Personal Independence Payment (PIP) whether you’re working or not.

You must be aged 16 or over and usually have not reached State Pension age to claim.

You must also have a physical or mental health condition or disability where you:

have had difficulties with daily living or getting around (or both) for 3 months

expect these difficulties to continue for at least 9 months

You usually need to have lived in England, Scotland or Wales for at least 2 of the last 3 years, and be in one of these countries when you apply. If you’ve recently returned from living in an EEA country, you might be able to get PIP sooner.

Find out about PIP if you live in Northern Ireland.

There are different rules if you’re terminally ill and a healthcare professional has said you might have less than 6 months to live.

You cannot get PIP and Armed Forces Independence Payment at the same time.

Daily living difficulties

You may get the daily living part of PIP if you need help more than half of the time with things like:

preparing or eating food

washing, bathing and using the toilet

dressing and undressing

reading and communicating

managing your medicines or treatments

making decisions about money

engaging with other people

Mobility difficulties

You may get the mobility part of PIP if you need help going out or moving around.

How you’re assessed

You’ll be assessed by an independent healthcare professional to work out the level of help you need.

If you’ve reached State Pension age

You can get PIP if you:

were already getting PIP before you reached State Pension age and your condition has not changed

have been claiming Disability Living Allowance (DLA) and you’ve had a letter inviting you to apply for PIP

You may get PIP if you previously got it and you were still entitled to it within the last year.

If you cannot get PIP, you can apply for Attendance Allowance instead.

Living abroad

You might still be able to get PIP if you:

live in an EU or EEA country or Switzerland - you can only get help with daily living needs

are a member or family member of the Armed Forces

If you’re not a British citizen

You must:

normally live in or show that you intend to settle in the UK, Ireland, the Isle of Man or the Channel Islands

not be subject to immigration control (unless you’re a sponsored immigrant)

You might still be able to get PIP if you are a refugee or have humanitarian protection status.

What you’ll get

Personal Independence Payment (PIP) is made up of 2 parts - a daily living part and a mobility part. Whether you get one or both of these and how much you’ll get depends on how severely your condition affects you.

You’ll need an assessment to work out how much you’ll get. Your rate will be regularly reviewed to make sure you’re getting the right support.

PIP is tax free. The amount you get is not affected by your income or savings.

You need to tell DWP straight away if there’s a change in your personal circumstances or how your condition affects you.

Daily living part

The weekly rate for the daily living part of PIP is either £60.00 or £89.60.

Mobility part

The weekly rate for the mobility part of PIP is either £23.70 or £62.55.

Terminal illness

You’ll get the higher daily living part if you’re not expected to live more than 6 months. The rate of the mobility part depends on your needs.

How other benefits affect your PIP

The daily living part of your PIP will be reduced if you get any of the following benefits:

Constant Attendance Allowance

War Pensioners’ Mobility Supplement

How you’re paid

PIP is usually paid every 4 weeks.

Your decision letter will tell you:

the date of your first payment

what day of the week you’ll usually be paid

If your payment date is on a bank holiday, you’ll usually be paid before the bank holiday. After that you’ll continue to get paid as normal.

All benefits, pensions and allowances are paid into your bank, building society or credit union account.

Other help

You or your carer might also qualify for other financial help, for example Carer’s Allowance, or help with housing or transport costs.

If you get PIP and you work, you might also be able to get the disability element of Working Tax Credit (up to £3,220 a year, or up to £4,610 if your disability is severe). Contact HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) to find out.

How to claim

Call the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to make a new Personal Independence Payment (PIP) claim.

There is a different way to claim if you’re terminally ill.

Find out how to claim if you live in Northern Ireland.

Claim by telephone or textphone

Before you call, you’ll need:

your contact details, for example telephone number

your date of birth

your National Insurance number - this is on letters about tax, pensions and benefits

your bank or building society account number and sort code

your doctor or health worker’s name, address and telephone number

dates and addresses for any time you’ve spent in a care home or hospital

dates for any time you spent abroad for more than 4 weeks at a time, and the countries you visited

If you need someone to help you, ask DWP to add them to your call when you:

phone

use Relay UK

use the video relay service

You cannot do this if you use textphone.

If you cannot use any of these, someone else can call on your behalf, but you’ll need to be with them when they call.

Claim by post

You can get a form to send information by post (although this can delay the decision on your claim). Write a letter to ask for the form.

What happens next

You’ll be sent a ‘How your disability affects you’ form. Call the PIP enquiry line if you need it in an alternative format such as braille, large print or audio CD.

Fill in the form using the notes that come with it to help you. You can also read Citizens Advice’s help on filling in the form.

Return the form to DWP - the address is on the form. You have 1 month to return the form. DWP will start processing your claim when they receive your form. Contact the PIP enquiry line if you need more time.

You’ll get a letter that tells you whether you’ll get PIP. If you do, you’ll be told how much you’ll get, when you’ll be paid and the date your PIP will be reviewed so that you continue to get the right support.

You cannot apply using any Disability Living Allowance (DLA) forms you may have.

If you disagree with a decision

You can challenge a decision about your claim. This is called asking for ‘mandatory reconsideration’.

If your PIP claim is reviewed

The letter you got when your Personal Independence Payment (PIP) was approved will tell you when your claim will end and if it will be reviewed.

If your claim is going to be reviewed, the letter will tell you when you’ll be contacted about the review.

How PIP reviews work

You will continue to get PIP while your claim is being reviewed.

You’ll get a letter asking you to fill in a form called ‘Award review - how your disability affects you’.

Fill in the form using the notes that come with it.

DWP will review your form. If they need more information, an independent health professional might phone you to ask some questions or send a letter inviting you to an assessment. Assessments can be in person, over the phone or by video call.

You’ll get a letter that tells you what will happen with your PIP. If your needs have changed, your PIP might be increased, reduced or stopped.

If you disagree with a decision

You can challenge a decision about your claim. This is called asking for mandatory reconsideration.

Change of circumstances

You must contact the Personal Independence Payment (PIP) enquiry line if:

your personal details change, for example your name, address or doctor

the help you need or your condition changes

your condition has worsened and you’re not expected to live more than 6 months

you go into hospital or a care home

you go abroad

you’re imprisoned or held in detention

your immigration status changes, if you’re not a British citizen

You could be taken to court or have to pay a penalty if you give wrong information or do not report a change in your circumstances.

How to report a change of circumstances

Contact the PIP enquiry line to report a change of circumstances.

If you need someone to help you, ask the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to add them to your call when you:

phone

use Relay UK

use the video relay service

You cannot do this if you use textphone.

If you cannot use any of these, someone else can call on your behalf, but you’ll need to be with them when they call.

If you’ve been paid too much

You may have to repay the money if you:

did not report a change straight away

gave wrong information

were overpaid by mistake

Find out how to repay the money you owe from benefit overpayment.

Claiming PIP if you're terminally ill

You can get Personal Independence Payment (PIP) more quickly if you’re terminally ill.

You can claim PIP if:

your doctor or a healthcare professional has said you might have less than 6 months to live

you are aged 16 or over and usually have not reached State Pension age

How to claim

You can claim for yourself or someone else can do it for you.

Call DWP to start your PIP claim. Ask a doctor or other healthcare professional for form DS1500. They’ll either fill it in and give the form to you or send it directly to DWP.

You will not need to go to a face-to-face consultation.

If you need someone to help you, ask DWP to add them to your call when you:

phone

use Relay UK

use the video relay service

You may be able to get other benefits if you’re terminally ill.

reading and communicating

Personal Independence Payment (PIP)

Overview

Personal Independence Payment (PIP) can help you with some of the extra costs if you have a long term physical or mental health condition or disability.

This guide is also available in Welsh (Cymraeg).

The amount you get depends on how your condition affects you, not the condition itself. You’ll be assessed by a health professional to work out the level of help you can get.

Your carer could get Carer’s Allowance if you have substantial caring needs.

If you get Disability Living Allowance (DLA)

Disability Living Allowance (DLA) is being replaced by PIP for most adults. You’ll keep getting DLA if:

you’re under 16

you were born on or before 8 April 1948

If you were born after 8 April 1948, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) will invite you to apply for PIP. You do not need to do anything until DWP writes to you about your DLA unless your circumstances change.

Help with PIP

You can contact a local support organisation or Citizens Advice to get help understanding PIP.

Eligibility

You can get Personal Independence Payment (PIP) whether you’re working or not.

You must be aged 16 or over and usually have not reached State Pension age to claim.

You must also have a physical or mental health condition or disability where you:

have had difficulties with daily living or getting around (or both) for 3 months

expect these difficulties to continue for at least 9 months

You usually need to have lived in England, Scotland or Wales for at least 2 of the last 3 years, and be in one of these countries when you apply. If you’ve recently returned from living in an EEA country, you might be able to get PIP sooner.

Find out about PIP if you live in Northern Ireland.

There are different rules if you’re terminally ill and a healthcare professional has said you might have less than 6 months to live.

You cannot get PIP and Armed Forces Independence Payment at the same time.

Daily living difficulties

You may get the daily living part of PIP if you need help more than half of the time with things like:

preparing or eating food

washing, bathing and using the toilet

dressing and undressing

reading and communicating

managing your medicines or treatments

making decisions about money

engaging with other people

Mobility difficulties

You may get the mobility part of PIP if you need help going out or moving around.

How you’re assessed

You’ll be assessed by an independent healthcare professional to work out the level of help you need.

If you’ve reached State Pension age

You can get PIP if you:

were already getting PIP before you reached State Pension age and your condition has not changed

have been claiming Disability Living Allowance (DLA) and you’ve had a letter inviting you to apply for PIP

You may get PIP if you previously got it and you were still entitled to it within the last year.

If you cannot get PIP, you can apply for Attendance Allowance instead.

Living abroad

You might still be able to get PIP if you:

live in an EU or EEA country or Switzerland - you can only get help with daily living needs

are a member or family member of the Armed Forces

If you’re not a British citizen

You must:

normally live in or show that you intend to settle in the UK, Ireland, the Isle of Man or the Channel Islands

not be subject to immigration control (unless you’re a sponsored immigrant)

You might still be able to get PIP if you are a refugee or have humanitarian protection status.

What you’ll get

Personal Independence Payment (PIP) is made up of 2 parts - a daily living part and a mobility part. Whether you get one or both of these and how much you’ll get depends on how severely your condition affects you.

You’ll need an assessment to work out how much you’ll get. Your rate will be regularly reviewed to make sure you’re getting the right support.

PIP is tax free. The amount you get is not affected by your income or savings.

You need to tell DWP straight away if there’s a change in your personal circumstances or how your condition affects you.

Daily living part

The weekly rate for the daily living part of PIP is either £60.00 or £89.60.

Mobility part

The weekly rate for the mobility part of PIP is either £23.70 or £62.55.

Terminal illness

You’ll get the higher daily living part if you’re not expected to live more than 6 months. The rate of the mobility part depends on your needs.

How other benefits affect your PIP

The daily living part of your PIP will be reduced if you get any of the following benefits:

Constant Attendance Allowance

War Pensioners’ Mobility Supplement

How you’re paid

PIP is usually paid every 4 weeks.

Your decision letter will tell you:

the date of your first payment

what day of the week you’ll usually be paid

If your payment date is on a bank holiday, you’ll usually be paid before the bank holiday. After that you’ll continue to get paid as normal.

All benefits, pensions and allowances are paid into your bank, building society or credit union account.

Other help

You or your carer might also qualify for other financial help, for example Carer’s Allowance, or help with housing or transport costs.

If you get PIP and you work, you might also be able to get the disability element of Working Tax Credit (up to £3,220 a year, or up to £4,610 if your disability is severe). Contact HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) to find out.

How to claim

Call the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to make a new Personal Independence Payment (PIP) claim.

There is a different way to claim if you’re terminally ill.

Find out how to claim if you live in Northern Ireland.

Claim by telephone or textphone

Before you call, you’ll need:

your contact details, for example telephone number

your date of birth

your National Insurance number - this is on letters about tax, pensions and benefits

your bank or building society account number and sort code

your doctor or health worker’s name, address and telephone number

dates and addresses for any time you’ve spent in a care home or hospital

dates for any time you spent abroad for more than 4 weeks at a time, and the countries you visited

If you need someone to help you, ask DWP to add them to your call when you:

phone

use Relay UK

use the video relay service

You cannot do this if you use textphone.

If you cannot use any of these, someone else can call on your behalf, but you’ll need to be with them when they call.

Claim by post

You can get a form to send information by post (although this can delay the decision on your claim). Write a letter to ask for the form.

What happens next

You’ll be sent a ‘How your disability affects you’ form. Call the PIP enquiry line if you need it in an alternative format such as braille, large print or audio CD.

Fill in the form using the notes that come with it to help you. You can also read Citizens Advice’s help on filling in the form.

Return the form to DWP - the address is on the form. You have 1 month to return the form. DWP will start processing your claim when they receive your form. Contact the PIP enquiry line if you need more time.

You’ll get a letter that tells you whether you’ll get PIP. If you do, you’ll be told how much you’ll get, when you’ll be paid and the date your PIP will be reviewed so that you continue to get the right support.

You cannot apply using any Disability Living Allowance (DLA) forms you may have.

If you disagree with a decision

You can challenge a decision about your claim. This is called asking for ‘mandatory reconsideration’.

If your PIP claim is reviewed

The letter you got when your Personal Independence Payment (PIP) was approved will tell you when your claim will end and if it will be reviewed.

If your claim is going to be reviewed, the letter will tell you when you’ll be contacted about the review.

How PIP reviews work

You will continue to get PIP while your claim is being reviewed.

You’ll get a letter asking you to fill in a form called ‘Award review - how your disability affects you’.

Fill in the form using the notes that come with it.

DWP will review your form. If they need more information, an independent health professional might phone you to ask some questions or send a letter inviting you to an assessment. Assessments can be in person, over the phone or by video call.

You’ll get a letter that tells you what will happen with your PIP. If your needs have changed, your PIP might be increased, reduced or stopped.

If you disagree with a decision

You can challenge a decision about your claim. This is called asking for mandatory reconsideration.

Change of circumstances

You must contact the Personal Independence Payment (PIP) enquiry line if:

your personal details change, for example your name, address or doctor

the help you need or your condition changes

your condition has worsened and you’re not expected to live more than 6 months

you go into hospital or a care home

you go abroad

you’re imprisoned or held in detention

your immigration status changes, if you’re not a British citizen

You could be taken to court or have to pay a penalty if you give wrong information or do not report a change in your circumstances.

How to report a change of circumstances

Contact the PIP enquiry line to report a change of circumstances.

If you need someone to help you, ask the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to add them to your call when you:

phone

use Relay UK

use the video relay service

You cannot do this if you use textphone.

If you cannot use any of these, someone else can call on your behalf, but you’ll need to be with them when they call.

If you’ve been paid too much

You may have to repay the money if you:

did not report a change straight away

gave wrong information

were overpaid by mistake

Find out how to repay the money you owe from benefit overpayment.

Claiming PIP if you're terminally ill

You can get Personal Independence Payment (PIP) more quickly if you’re terminally ill.

You can claim PIP if:

your doctor or a healthcare professional has said you might have less than 6 months to live

you are aged 16 or over and usually have not reached State Pension age

How to claim

You can claim for yourself or someone else can do it for you.

Call DWP to start your PIP claim. Ask a doctor or other healthcare professional for form DS1500. They’ll either fill it in and give the form to you or send it directly to DWP.

You will not need to go to a face-to-face consultation.

If you need someone to help you, ask DWP to add them to your call when you:

phone

use Relay UK

use the video relay service

You may be able to get other benefits if you’re terminally ill.

managing your medicines or treatments

Personal Independence Payment (PIP)

Overview

Personal Independence Payment (PIP) can help you with some of the extra costs if you have a long term physical or mental health condition or disability.

This guide is also available in Welsh (Cymraeg).

The amount you get depends on how your condition affects you, not the condition itself. You’ll be assessed by a health professional to work out the level of help you can get.

Your carer could get Carer’s Allowance if you have substantial caring needs.

If you get Disability Living Allowance (DLA)

Disability Living Allowance (DLA) is being replaced by PIP for most adults. You’ll keep getting DLA if:

you’re under 16

you were born on or before 8 April 1948

If you were born after 8 April 1948, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) will invite you to apply for PIP. You do not need to do anything until DWP writes to you about your DLA unless your circumstances change.

Help with PIP

You can contact a local support organisation or Citizens Advice to get help understanding PIP.

Eligibility

You can get Personal Independence Payment (PIP) whether you’re working or not.

You must be aged 16 or over and usually have not reached State Pension age to claim.

You must also have a physical or mental health condition or disability where you:

have had difficulties with daily living or getting around (or both) for 3 months

expect these difficulties to continue for at least 9 months

You usually need to have lived in England, Scotland or Wales for at least 2 of the last 3 years, and be in one of these countries when you apply. If you’ve recently returned from living in an EEA country, you might be able to get PIP sooner.

Find out about PIP if you live in Northern Ireland.

There are different rules if you’re terminally ill and a healthcare professional has said you might have less than 6 months to live.

You cannot get PIP and Armed Forces Independence Payment at the same time.

Daily living difficulties

You may get the daily living part of PIP if you need help more than half of the time with things like:

preparing or eating food

washing, bathing and using the toilet

dressing and undressing

reading and communicating

managing your medicines or treatments

making decisions about money

engaging with other people

Mobility difficulties

You may get the mobility part of PIP if you need help going out or moving around.

How you’re assessed

You’ll be assessed by an independent healthcare professional to work out the level of help you need.

If you’ve reached State Pension age

You can get PIP if you:

were already getting PIP before you reached State Pension age and your condition has not changed

have been claiming Disability Living Allowance (DLA) and you’ve had a letter inviting you to apply for PIP

You may get PIP if you previously got it and you were still entitled to it within the last year.

If you cannot get PIP, you can apply for Attendance Allowance instead.

Living abroad

You might still be able to get PIP if you:

live in an EU or EEA country or Switzerland - you can only get help with daily living needs

are a member or family member of the Armed Forces

If you’re not a British citizen

You must:

normally live in or show that you intend to settle in the UK, Ireland, the Isle of Man or the Channel Islands

not be subject to immigration control (unless you’re a sponsored immigrant)

You might still be able to get PIP if you are a refugee or have humanitarian protection status.

What you’ll get

Personal Independence Payment (PIP) is made up of 2 parts - a daily living part and a mobility part. Whether you get one or both of these and how much you’ll get depends on how severely your condition affects you.

You’ll need an assessment to work out how much you’ll get. Your rate will be regularly reviewed to make sure you’re getting the right support.

PIP is tax free. The amount you get is not affected by your income or savings.

You need to tell DWP straight away if there’s a change in your personal circumstances or how your condition affects you.

Daily living part

The weekly rate for the daily living part of PIP is either £60.00 or £89.60.

Mobility part

The weekly rate for the mobility part of PIP is either £23.70 or £62.55.

Terminal illness

You’ll get the higher daily living part if you’re not expected to live more than 6 months. The rate of the mobility part depends on your needs.

How other benefits affect your PIP

The daily living part of your PIP will be reduced if you get any of the following benefits:

Constant Attendance Allowance

War Pensioners’ Mobility Supplement

How you’re paid

PIP is usually paid every 4 weeks.

Your decision letter will tell you:

the date of your first payment

what day of the week you’ll usually be paid

If your payment date is on a bank holiday, you’ll usually be paid before the bank holiday. After that you’ll continue to get paid as normal.

All benefits, pensions and allowances are paid into your bank, building society or credit union account.

Other help

You or your carer might also qualify for other financial help, for example Carer’s Allowance, or help with housing or transport costs.

If you get PIP and you work, you might also be able to get the disability element of Working Tax Credit (up to £3,220 a year, or up to £4,610 if your disability is severe). Contact HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) to find out.

How to claim

Call the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to make a new Personal Independence Payment (PIP) claim.

There is a different way to claim if you’re terminally ill.

Find out how to claim if you live in Northern Ireland.

Claim by telephone or textphone

Before you call, you’ll need:

your contact details, for example telephone number

your date of birth

your National Insurance number - this is on letters about tax, pensions and benefits

your bank or building society account number and sort code

your doctor or health worker’s name, address and telephone number

dates and addresses for any time you’ve spent in a care home or hospital

dates for any time you spent abroad for more than 4 weeks at a time, and the countries you visited

If you need someone to help you, ask DWP to add them to your call when you:

phone

use Relay UK

use the video relay service

You cannot do this if you use textphone.

If you cannot use any of these, someone else can call on your behalf, but you’ll need to be with them when they call.

Claim by post

You can get a form to send information by post (although this can delay the decision on your claim). Write a letter to ask for the form.

What happens next

You’ll be sent a ‘How your disability affects you’ form. Call the PIP enquiry line if you need it in an alternative format such as braille, large print or audio CD.

Fill in the form using the notes that come with it to help you. You can also read Citizens Advice’s help on filling in the form.

Return the form to DWP - the address is on the form. You have 1 month to return the form. DWP will start processing your claim when they receive your form. Contact the PIP enquiry line if you need more time.

You’ll get a letter that tells you whether you’ll get PIP. If you do, you’ll be told how much you’ll get, when you’ll be paid and the date your PIP will be reviewed so that you continue to get the right support.

You cannot apply using any Disability Living Allowance (DLA) forms you may have.

If you disagree with a decision

You can challenge a decision about your claim. This is called asking for ‘mandatory reconsideration’.

If your PIP claim is reviewed

The letter you got when your Personal Independence Payment (PIP) was approved will tell you when your claim will end and if it will be reviewed.

If your claim is going to be reviewed, the letter will tell you when you’ll be contacted about the review.

How PIP reviews work

You will continue to get PIP while your claim is being reviewed.

You’ll get a letter asking you to fill in a form called ‘Award review - how your disability affects you’.

Fill in the form using the notes that come with it.

DWP will review your form. If they need more information, an independent health professional might phone you to ask some questions or send a letter inviting you to an assessment. Assessments can be in person, over the phone or by video call.

You’ll get a letter that tells you what will happen with your PIP. If your needs have changed, your PIP might be increased, reduced or stopped.

If you disagree with a decision

You can challenge a decision about your claim. This is called asking for mandatory reconsideration.

Change of circumstances

You must contact the Personal Independence Payment (PIP) enquiry line if:

your personal details change, for example your name, address or doctor

the help you need or your condition changes

your condition has worsened and you’re not expected to live more than 6 months

you go into hospital or a care home

you go abroad

you’re imprisoned or held in detention

your immigration status changes, if you’re not a British citizen

You could be taken to court or have to pay a penalty if you give wrong information or do not report a change in your circumstances.

How to report a change of circumstances

Contact the PIP enquiry line to report a change of circumstances.

If you need someone to help you, ask the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to add them to your call when you:

phone

use Relay UK

use the video relay service

You cannot do this if you use textphone.

If you cannot use any of these, someone else can call on your behalf, but you’ll need to be with them when they call.

If you’ve been paid too much

You may have to repay the money if you:

did not report a change straight away

gave wrong information

were overpaid by mistake

Find out how to repay the money you owe from benefit overpayment.

Claiming PIP if you're terminally ill

You can get Personal Independence Payment (PIP) more quickly if you’re terminally ill.

You can claim PIP if:

your doctor or a healthcare professional has said you might have less than 6 months to live

you are aged 16 or over and usually have not reached State Pension age

How to claim

You can claim for yourself or someone else can do it for you.

Call DWP to start your PIP claim. Ask a doctor or other healthcare professional for form DS1500. They’ll either fill it in and give the form to you or send it directly to DWP.

You will not need to go to a face-to-face consultation.

If you need someone to help you, ask DWP to add them to your call when you:

phone

use Relay UK

use the video relay service

You may be able to get other benefits if you’re terminally ill.

making decisions about money

Personal Independence Payment (PIP)

Overview

Personal Independence Payment (PIP) can help you with some of the extra costs if you have a long term physical or mental health condition or disability.

This guide is also available in Welsh (Cymraeg).

The amount you get depends on how your condition affects you, not the condition itself. You’ll be assessed by a health professional to work out the level of help you can get.

Your carer could get Carer’s Allowance if you have substantial caring needs.

If you get Disability Living Allowance (DLA)

Disability Living Allowance (DLA) is being replaced by PIP for most adults. You’ll keep getting DLA if:

you’re under 16

you were born on or before 8 April 1948

If you were born after 8 April 1948, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) will invite you to apply for PIP. You do not need to do anything until DWP writes to you about your DLA unless your circumstances change.

Help with PIP

You can contact a local support organisation or Citizens Advice to get help understanding PIP.

Eligibility

You can get Personal Independence Payment (PIP) whether you’re working or not.

You must be aged 16 or over and usually have not reached State Pension age to claim.

You must also have a physical or mental health condition or disability where you:

have had difficulties with daily living or getting around (or both) for 3 months

expect these difficulties to continue for at least 9 months

You usually need to have lived in England, Scotland or Wales for at least 2 of the last 3 years, and be in one of these countries when you apply. If you’ve recently returned from living in an EEA country, you might be able to get PIP sooner.

Find out about PIP if you live in Northern Ireland.

There are different rules if you’re terminally ill and a healthcare professional has said you might have less than 6 months to live.

You cannot get PIP and Armed Forces Independence Payment at the same time.

Daily living difficulties

You may get the daily living part of PIP if you need help more than half of the time with things like:

preparing or eating food

washing, bathing and using the toilet

dressing and undressing

reading and communicating

managing your medicines or treatments

making decisions about money

engaging with other people

Mobility difficulties

You may get the mobility part of PIP if you need help going out or moving around.

How you’re assessed

You’ll be assessed by an independent healthcare professional to work out the level of help you need.

If you’ve reached State Pension age

You can get PIP if you:

were already getting PIP before you reached State Pension age and your condition has not changed

have been claiming Disability Living Allowance (DLA) and you’ve had a letter inviting you to apply for PIP

You may get PIP if you previously got it and you were still entitled to it within the last year.

If you cannot get PIP, you can apply for Attendance Allowance instead.

Living abroad

You might still be able to get PIP if you:

live in an EU or EEA country or Switzerland - you can only get help with daily living needs

are a member or family member of the Armed Forces

If you’re not a British citizen

You must:

normally live in or show that you intend to settle in the UK, Ireland, the Isle of Man or the Channel Islands

not be subject to immigration control (unless you’re a sponsored immigrant)

You might still be able to get PIP if you are a refugee or have humanitarian protection status.

What you’ll get

Personal Independence Payment (PIP) is made up of 2 parts - a daily living part and a mobility part. Whether you get one or both of these and how much you’ll get depends on how severely your condition affects you.

You’ll need an assessment to work out how much you’ll get. Your rate will be regularly reviewed to make sure you’re getting the right support.

PIP is tax free. The amount you get is not affected by your income or savings.

You need to tell DWP straight away if there’s a change in your personal circumstances or how your condition affects you.

Daily living part

The weekly rate for the daily living part of PIP is either £60.00 or £89.60.

Mobility part

The weekly rate for the mobility part of PIP is either £23.70 or £62.55.

Terminal illness

You’ll get the higher daily living part if you’re not expected to live more than 6 months. The rate of the mobility part depends on your needs.

How other benefits affect your PIP

The daily living part of your PIP will be reduced if you get any of the following benefits:

Constant Attendance Allowance

War Pensioners’ Mobility Supplement

How you’re paid

PIP is usually paid every 4 weeks.

Your decision letter will tell you:

the date of your first payment

what day of the week you’ll usually be paid

If your payment date is on a bank holiday, you’ll usually be paid before the bank holiday. After that you’ll continue to get paid as normal.

All benefits, pensions and allowances are paid into your bank, building society or credit union account.

Other help

You or your carer might also qualify for other financial help, for example Carer’s Allowance, or help with housing or transport costs.

If you get PIP and you work, you might also be able to get the disability element of Working Tax Credit (up to £3,220 a year, or up to £4,610 if your disability is severe). Contact HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) to find out.

How to claim

Call the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to make a new Personal Independence Payment (PIP) claim.

There is a different way to claim if you’re terminally ill.

Find out how to claim if you live in Northern Ireland.

Claim by telephone or textphone

Before you call, you’ll need:

your contact details, for example telephone number

your date of birth

your National Insurance number - this is on letters about tax, pensions and benefits

your bank or building society account number and sort code

your doctor or health worker’s name, address and telephone number

dates and addresses for any time you’ve spent in a care home or hospital

dates for any time you spent abroad for more than 4 weeks at a time, and the countries you visited

If you need someone to help you, ask DWP to add them to your call when you:

phone

use Relay UK

use the video relay service

You cannot do this if you use textphone.

If you cannot use any of these, someone else can call on your behalf, but you’ll need to be with them when they call.

Claim by post

You can get a form to send information by post (although this can delay the decision on your claim). Write a letter to ask for the form.

What happens next

You’ll be sent a ‘How your disability affects you’ form. Call the PIP enquiry line if you need it in an alternative format such as braille, large print or audio CD.

Fill in the form using the notes that come with it to help you. You can also read Citizens Advice’s help on filling in the form.

Return the form to DWP - the address is on the form. You have 1 month to return the form. DWP will start processing your claim when they receive your form. Contact the PIP enquiry line if you need more time.

You’ll get a letter that tells you whether you’ll get PIP. If you do, you’ll be told how much you’ll get, when you’ll be paid and the date your PIP will be reviewed so that you continue to get the right support.

You cannot apply using any Disability Living Allowance (DLA) forms you may have.

If you disagree with a decision

You can challenge a decision about your claim. This is called asking for ‘mandatory reconsideration’.

If your PIP claim is reviewed

The letter you got when your Personal Independence Payment (PIP) was approved will tell you when your claim will end and if it will be reviewed.

If your claim is going to be reviewed, the letter will tell you when you’ll be contacted about the review.

How PIP reviews work

You will continue to get PIP while your claim is being reviewed.

You’ll get a letter asking you to fill in a form called ‘Award review - how your disability affects you’.

Fill in the form using the notes that come with it.

DWP will review your form. If they need more information, an independent health professional might phone you to ask some questions or send a letter inviting you to an assessment. Assessments can be in person, over the phone or by video call.

You’ll get a letter that tells you what will happen with your PIP. If your needs have changed, your PIP might be increased, reduced or stopped.

If you disagree with a decision

You can challenge a decision about your claim. This is called asking for mandatory reconsideration.

Change of circumstances

You must contact the Personal Independence Payment (PIP) enquiry line if:

your personal details change, for example your name, address or doctor

the help you need or your condition changes

your condition has worsened and you’re not expected to live more than 6 months

you go into hospital or a care home

you go abroad

you’re imprisoned or held in detention

your immigration status changes, if you’re not a British citizen

You could be taken to court or have to pay a penalty if you give wrong information or do not report a change in your circumstances.

How to report a change of circumstances

Contact the PIP enquiry line to report a change of circumstances.

If you need someone to help you, ask the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to add them to your call when you:

phone

use Relay UK

use the video relay service

You cannot do this if you use textphone.

If you cannot use any of these, someone else can call on your behalf, but you’ll need to be with them when they call.

If you’ve been paid too much

You may have to repay the money if you:

did not report a change straight away

gave wrong information

were overpaid by mistake

Find out how to repay the money you owe from benefit overpayment.

Claiming PIP if you're terminally ill

You can get Personal Independence Payment (PIP) more quickly if you’re terminally ill.

You can claim PIP if:

your doctor or a healthcare professional has said you might have less than 6 months to live

you are aged 16 or over and usually have not reached State Pension age

How to claim

You can claim for yourself or someone else can do it for you.

Call DWP to start your PIP claim. Ask a doctor or other healthcare professional for form DS1500. They’ll either fill it in and give the form to you or send it directly to DWP.

You will not need to go to a face-to-face consultation.

If you need someone to help you, ask DWP to add them to your call when you:

phone

use Relay UK

use the video relay service

You may be able to get other benefits if you’re terminally ill.

engaging with other people

Personal Independence Payment (PIP)

Overview

Personal Independence Payment (PIP) can help you with some of the extra costs if you have a long term physical or mental health condition or disability.

This guide is also available in Welsh (Cymraeg).

The amount you get depends on how your condition affects you, not the condition itself. You’ll be assessed by a health professional to work out the level of help you can get.

Your carer could get Carer’s Allowance if you have substantial caring needs.

If you get Disability Living Allowance (DLA)

Disability Living Allowance (DLA) is being replaced by PIP for most adults. You’ll keep getting DLA if:

you’re under 16

you were born on or before 8 April 1948

If you were born after 8 April 1948, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) will invite you to apply for PIP. You do not need to do anything until DWP writes to you about your DLA unless your circumstances change.

Help with PIP

You can contact a local support organisation or Citizens Advice to get help understanding PIP.

Eligibility

You can get Personal Independence Payment (PIP) whether you’re working or not.

You must be aged 16 or over and usually have not reached State Pension age to claim.

You must also have a physical or mental health condition or disability where you:

have had difficulties with daily living or getting around (or both) for 3 months

expect these difficulties to continue for at least 9 months

You usually need to have lived in England, Scotland or Wales for at least 2 of the last 3 years, and be in one of these countries when you apply. If you’ve recently returned from living in an EEA country, you might be able to get PIP sooner.

Find out about PIP if you live in Northern Ireland.

There are different rules if you’re terminally ill and a healthcare professional has said you might have less than 6 months to live.

You cannot get PIP and Armed Forces Independence Payment at the same time.

Daily living difficulties

You may get the daily living part of PIP if you need help more than half of the time with things like:

preparing or eating food

washing, bathing and using the toilet

dressing and undressing

reading and communicating

managing your medicines or treatments

making decisions about money

engaging with other people

Mobility difficulties

You may get the mobility part of PIP if you need help going out or moving around.

How you’re assessed

You’ll be assessed by an independent healthcare professional to work out the level of help you need.

If you’ve reached State Pension age

You can get PIP if you:

were already getting PIP before you reached State Pension age and your condition has not changed

have been claiming Disability Living Allowance (DLA) and you’ve had a letter inviting you to apply for PIP

You may get PIP if you previously got it and you were still entitled to it within the last year.

If you cannot get PIP, you can apply for Attendance Allowance instead.

Living abroad

You might still be able to get PIP if you:

live in an EU or EEA country or Switzerland - you can only get help with daily living needs

are a member or family member of the Armed Forces

If you’re not a British citizen

You must:

normally live in or show that you intend to settle in the UK, Ireland, the Isle of Man or the Channel Islands

not be subject to immigration control (unless you’re a sponsored immigrant)

You might still be able to get PIP if you are a refugee or have humanitarian protection status.

What you’ll get

Personal Independence Payment (PIP) is made up of 2 parts - a daily living part and a mobility part. Whether you get one or both of these and how much you’ll get depends on how severely your condition affects you.

You’ll need an assessment to work out how much you’ll get. Your rate will be regularly reviewed to make sure you’re getting the right support.

PIP is tax free. The amount you get is not affected by your income or savings.

You need to tell DWP straight away if there’s a change in your personal circumstances or how your condition affects you.

Daily living part

The weekly rate for the daily living part of PIP is either £60.00 or £89.60.

Mobility part

The weekly rate for the mobility part of PIP is either £23.70 or £62.55.

Terminal illness

You’ll get the higher daily living part if you’re not expected to live more than 6 months. The rate of the mobility part depends on your needs.

How other benefits affect your PIP

The daily living part of your PIP will be reduced if you get any of the following benefits:

Constant Attendance Allowance

War Pensioners’ Mobility Supplement

How you’re paid

PIP is usually paid every 4 weeks.

Your decision letter will tell you:

the date of your first payment

what day of the week you’ll usually be paid

If your payment date is on a bank holiday, you’ll usually be paid before the bank holiday. After that you’ll continue to get paid as normal.

All benefits, pensions and allowances are paid into your bank, building society or credit union account.

Other help

You or your carer might also qualify for other financial help, for example Carer’s Allowance, or help with housing or transport costs.

If you get PIP and you work, you might also be able to get the disability element of Working Tax Credit (up to £3,220 a year, or up to £4,610 if your disability is severe). Contact HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) to find out.

How to claim

Call the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to make a new Personal Independence Payment (PIP) claim.

There is a different way to claim if you’re terminally ill.

Find out how to claim if you live in Northern Ireland.

Claim by telephone or textphone

Before you call, you’ll need:

your contact details, for example telephone number

your date of birth

your National Insurance number - this is on letters about tax, pensions and benefits

your bank or building society account number and sort code

your doctor or health worker’s name, address and telephone number

dates and addresses for any time you’ve spent in a care home or hospital

dates for any time you spent abroad for more than 4 weeks at a time, and the countries you visited

If you need someone to help you, ask DWP to add them to your call when you:

phone

use Relay UK

use the video relay service

You cannot do this if you use textphone.

If you cannot use any of these, someone else can call on your behalf, but you’ll need to be with them when they call.

Claim by post

You can get a form to send information by post (although this can delay the decision on your claim). Write a letter to ask for the form.

What happens next

You’ll be sent a ‘How your disability affects you’ form. Call the PIP enquiry line if you need it in an alternative format such as braille, large print or audio CD.

Fill in the form using the notes that come with it to help you. You can also read Citizens Advice’s help on filling in the form.

Return the form to DWP - the address is on the form. You have 1 month to return the form. DWP will start processing your claim when they receive your form. Contact the PIP enquiry line if you need more time.

You’ll get a letter that tells you whether you’ll get PIP. If you do, you’ll be told how much you’ll get, when you’ll be paid and the date your PIP will be reviewed so that you continue to get the right support.

You cannot apply using any Disability Living Allowance (DLA) forms you may have.

If you disagree with a decision

You can challenge a decision about your claim. This is called asking for ‘mandatory reconsideration’.

If your PIP claim is reviewed

The letter you got when your Personal Independence Payment (PIP) was approved will tell you when your claim will end and if it will be reviewed.

If your claim is going to be reviewed, the letter will tell you when you’ll be contacted about the review.

How PIP reviews work

You will continue to get PIP while your claim is being reviewed.

You’ll get a letter asking you to fill in a form called ‘Award review - how your disability affects you’.

Fill in the form using the notes that come with it.

DWP will review your form. If they need more information, an independent health professional might phone you to ask some questions or send a letter inviting you to an assessment. Assessments can be in person, over the phone or by video call.

You’ll get a letter that tells you what will happen with your PIP. If your needs have changed, your PIP might be increased, reduced or stopped.

If you disagree with a decision

You can challenge a decision about your claim. This is called asking for mandatory reconsideration.

Change of circumstances

You must contact the Personal Independence Payment (PIP) enquiry line if:

your personal details change, for example your name, address or doctor

the help you need or your condition changes

your condition has worsened and you’re not expected to live more than 6 months

you go into hospital or a care home

you go abroad

you’re imprisoned or held in detention

your immigration status changes, if you’re not a British citizen

You could be taken to court or have to pay a penalty if you give wrong information or do not report a change in your circumstances.

How to report a change of circumstances

Contact the PIP enquiry line to report a change of circumstances.

If you need someone to help you, ask the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to add them to your call when you:

phone

use Relay UK

use the video relay service

You cannot do this if you use textphone.

If you cannot use any of these, someone else can call on your behalf, but you’ll need to be with them when they call.

If you’ve been paid too much

You may have to repay the money if you:

did not report a change straight away

gave wrong information

were overpaid by mistake

Find out how to repay the money you owe from benefit overpayment.

Claiming PIP if you're terminally ill

You can get Personal Independence Payment (PIP) more quickly if you’re terminally ill.

You can claim PIP if:

your doctor or a healthcare professional has said you might have less than 6 months to live

you are aged 16 or over and usually have not reached State Pension age

How to claim

You can claim for yourself or someone else can do it for you.

Call DWP to start your PIP claim. Ask a doctor or other healthcare professional for form DS1500. They’ll either fill it in and give the form to you or send it directly to DWP.

You will not need to go to a face-to-face consultation.

If you need someone to help you, ask DWP to add them to your call when you:

phone

use Relay UK

use the video relay service

You may be able to get other benefits if you’re terminally ill.

You may get the mobility part of PIP if you need help going out or moving around.

Personal Independence Payment (PIP)

Overview

Personal Independence Payment (PIP) can help you with some of the extra costs if you have a long term physical or mental health condition or disability.

This guide is also available in Welsh (Cymraeg).

The amount you get depends on how your condition affects you, not the condition itself. You’ll be assessed by a health professional to work out the level of help you can get.

Your carer could get Carer’s Allowance if you have substantial caring needs.

If you get Disability Living Allowance (DLA)

Disability Living Allowance (DLA) is being replaced by PIP for most adults. You’ll keep getting DLA if:

you’re under 16

you were born on or before 8 April 1948

If you were born after 8 April 1948, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) will invite you to apply for PIP. You do not need to do anything until DWP writes to you about your DLA unless your circumstances change.

Help with PIP

You can contact a local support organisation or Citizens Advice to get help understanding PIP.

Eligibility

You can get Personal Independence Payment (PIP) whether you’re working or not.

You must be aged 16 or over and usually have not reached State Pension age to claim.

You must also have a physical or mental health condition or disability where you:

have had difficulties with daily living or getting around (or both) for 3 months

expect these difficulties to continue for at least 9 months

You usually need to have lived in England, Scotland or Wales for at least 2 of the last 3 years, and be in one of these countries when you apply. If you’ve recently returned from living in an EEA country, you might be able to get PIP sooner.

Find out about PIP if you live in Northern Ireland.

There are different rules if you’re terminally ill and a healthcare professional has said you might have less than 6 months to live.

You cannot get PIP and Armed Forces Independence Payment at the same time.

Daily living difficulties

You may get the daily living part of PIP if you need help more than half of the time with things like:

preparing or eating food

washing, bathing and using the toilet

dressing and undressing

reading and communicating

managing your medicines or treatments

making decisions about money

engaging with other people

Mobility difficulties

You may get the mobility part of PIP if you need help going out or moving around.

How you’re assessed

You’ll be assessed by an independent healthcare professional to work out the level of help you need.

If you’ve reached State Pension age

You can get PIP if you:

were already getting PIP before you reached State Pension age and your condition has not changed

have been claiming Disability Living Allowance (DLA) and you’ve had a letter inviting you to apply for PIP

You may get PIP if you previously got it and you were still entitled to it within the last year.

If you cannot get PIP, you can apply for Attendance Allowance instead.

Living abroad

You might still be able to get PIP if you:

live in an EU or EEA country or Switzerland - you can only get help with daily living needs

are a member or family member of the Armed Forces

If you’re not a British citizen

You must:

normally live in or show that you intend to settle in the UK, Ireland, the Isle of Man or the Channel Islands

not be subject to immigration control (unless you’re a sponsored immigrant)

You might still be able to get PIP if you are a refugee or have humanitarian protection status.

What you’ll get

Personal Independence Payment (PIP) is made up of 2 parts - a daily living part and a mobility part. Whether you get one or both of these and how much you’ll get depends on how severely your condition affects you.

You’ll need an assessment to work out how much you’ll get. Your rate will be regularly reviewed to make sure you’re getting the right support.

PIP is tax free. The amount you get is not affected by your income or savings.

You need to tell DWP straight away if there’s a change in your personal circumstances or how your condition affects you.

Daily living part

The weekly rate for the daily living part of PIP is either £60.00 or £89.60.

Mobility part

The weekly rate for the mobility part of PIP is either £23.70 or £62.55.

Terminal illness

You’ll get the higher daily living part if you’re not expected to live more than 6 months. The rate of the mobility part depends on your needs.

How other benefits affect your PIP

The daily living part of your PIP will be reduced if you get any of the following benefits:

Constant Attendance Allowance

War Pensioners’ Mobility Supplement

How you’re paid

PIP is usually paid every 4 weeks.

Your decision letter will tell you:

the date of your first payment

what day of the week you’ll usually be paid

If your payment date is on a bank holiday, you’ll usually be paid before the bank holiday. After that you’ll continue to get paid as normal.

All benefits, pensions and allowances are paid into your bank, building society or credit union account.

Other help

You or your carer might also qualify for other financial help, for example Carer’s Allowance, or help with housing or transport costs.

If you get PIP and you work, you might also be able to get the disability element of Working Tax Credit (up to £3,220 a year, or up to £4,610 if your disability is severe). Contact HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) to find out.

How to claim

Call the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to make a new Personal Independence Payment (PIP) claim.

There is a different way to claim if you’re terminally ill.

Find out how to claim if you live in Northern Ireland.

Claim by telephone or textphone

Before you call, you’ll need:

your contact details, for example telephone number

your date of birth

your National Insurance number - this is on letters about tax, pensions and benefits

your bank or building society account number and sort code

your doctor or health worker’s name, address and telephone number

dates and addresses for any time you’ve spent in a care home or hospital

dates for any time you spent abroad for more than 4 weeks at a time, and the countries you visited

If you need someone to help you, ask DWP to add them to your call when you:

phone

use Relay UK

use the video relay service

You cannot do this if you use textphone.

If you cannot use any of these, someone else can call on your behalf, but you’ll need to be with them when they call.

Claim by post

You can get a form to send information by post (although this can delay the decision on your claim). Write a letter to ask for the form.

What happens next

You’ll be sent a ‘How your disability affects you’ form. Call the PIP enquiry line if you need it in an alternative format such as braille, large print or audio CD.

Fill in the form using the notes that come with it to help you. You can also read Citizens Advice’s help on filling in the form.

Return the form to DWP - the address is on the form. You have 1 month to return the form. DWP will start processing your claim when they receive your form. Contact the PIP enquiry line if you need more time.

You’ll get a letter that tells you whether you’ll get PIP. If you do, you’ll be told how much you’ll get, when you’ll be paid and the date your PIP will be reviewed so that you continue to get the right support.

You cannot apply using any Disability Living Allowance (DLA) forms you may have.

If you disagree with a decision

You can challenge a decision about your claim. This is called asking for ‘mandatory reconsideration’.

If your PIP claim is reviewed

The letter you got when your Personal Independence Payment (PIP) was approved will tell you when your claim will end and if it will be reviewed.

If your claim is going to be reviewed, the letter will tell you when you’ll be contacted about the review.

How PIP reviews work

You will continue to get PIP while your claim is being reviewed.

You’ll get a letter asking you to fill in a form called ‘Award review - how your disability affects you’.

Fill in the form using the notes that come with it.

DWP will review your form. If they need more information, an independent health professional might phone you to ask some questions or send a letter inviting you to an assessment. Assessments can be in person, over the phone or by video call.

You’ll get a letter that tells you what will happen with your PIP. If your needs have changed, your PIP might be increased, reduced or stopped.

If you disagree with a decision

You can challenge a decision about your claim. This is called asking for mandatory reconsideration.

Change of circumstances

You must contact the Personal Independence Payment (PIP) enquiry line if:

your personal details change, for example your name, address or doctor

the help you need or your condition changes

your condition has worsened and you’re not expected to live more than 6 months

you go into hospital or a care home

you go abroad

you’re imprisoned or held in detention

your immigration status changes, if you’re not a British citizen

You could be taken to court or have to pay a penalty if you give wrong information or do not report a change in your circumstances.

How to report a change of circumstances

Contact the PIP enquiry line to report a change of circumstances.

If you need someone to help you, ask the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to add them to your call when you:

phone

use Relay UK

use the video relay service

You cannot do this if you use textphone.

If you cannot use any of these, someone else can call on your behalf, but you’ll need to be with them when they call.

If you’ve been paid too much

You may have to repay the money if you:

did not report a change straight away

gave wrong information

were overpaid by mistake

Find out how to repay the money you owe from benefit overpayment.

Claiming PIP if you're terminally ill

You can get Personal Independence Payment (PIP) more quickly if you’re terminally ill.

You can claim PIP if:

your doctor or a healthcare professional has said you might have less than 6 months to live

you are aged 16 or over and usually have not reached State Pension age

How to claim

You can claim for yourself or someone else can do it for you.

Call DWP to start your PIP claim. Ask a doctor or other healthcare professional for form DS1500. They’ll either fill it in and give the form to you or send it directly to DWP.

You will not need to go to a face-to-face consultation.

If you need someone to help you, ask DWP to add them to your call when you:

phone

use Relay UK

use the video relay service

You may be able to get other benefits if you’re terminally ill.