PIP calculator.
Personal Independence Payment (PIP) helps with the extra costs of long-term disability or ill-health. It's not based on income — it's based on how your condition affects you day to day, scored against a points system at a DWP-arranged assessment.
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How PIP is decided
PIP has two parts: a daily living component for help with everyday tasks, and a mobility component for moving around. Each is paid at a standard or enhanced rate. You can be awarded one component, both, or neither.
The decision is based on a points score across ten daily-living activities (preparing food, managing therapy, washing, dressing, communicating, reading, social engagement, etc.) and two mobility activities (planning a journey, moving around). Each activity has descriptors with point values; the highest applicable descriptor in each activity counts.
- 8–11 points in daily living → standard rate.
- 12+ points in daily living → enhanced rate.
- Same thresholds for mobility.
Crucially, your condition must have affected you for at least 3 months and be expected to last at least 9 more — PIP is for long-term conditions, not short-term illness or injury.
The assessment
After you apply, you complete a "How your disability affects you" form (PIP2) describing your difficulties for each activity. Most claimants then have a face-to-face, video or telephone assessment with a healthcare professional contracted by DWP. Tips that often help:
- Describe your worst days and your reliable performance — "can you do X safely, repeatedly, to a reasonable standard, in a reasonable time?" is the legal test.
- Give examples. "I can't cook a meal" carries less weight than "I burnt myself twice last month using the hob and now use only the microwave."
- Bring or send supporting evidence — letters from consultants, GP notes, prescription lists. The assessor doesn't get access to your medical record automatically.
- Take someone with you. They can speak on your behalf if you need them to.
Mandatory reconsideration and appeal
If your decision letter is wrong — too few points, refused entirely, or you got the standard rate when you think it should be enhanced — you can ask for a mandatory reconsideration within 1 month. If that's also refused, you can appeal to an independent tribunal. Around two-thirds of appeals succeed. The single biggest predictor of a successful appeal is having proper representation — Citizens Advice or your local welfare-rights office.
PIP in Scotland — Adult Disability Payment
In Scotland, PIP is being replaced by Adult Disability Payment (ADP), administered by Social Security Scotland. The rules and rates are similar to PIP, but the assessment is meant to be less adversarial, with more reliance on existing medical evidence and fewer face-to-face assessments. If you live in Scotland, apply for ADP through mygov.scot, not PIP.
| Component | Standard rate | Enhanced rate |
|---|---|---|
| Daily living | £73.90 | £110.40 |
| Mobility | £29.20 | £77.05 |
| Both components, both enhanced | — | £187.45 |
Frequently asked questions.
Is PIP means-tested?
No. PIP is awarded based on how your condition affects you, not on your income, savings or work status. You can claim it while working full-time, and a partner's income is irrelevant.
How long does PIP take?
The current average is around 14–16 weeks from claim to decision, though it varies. Backdated payments are made if you wait longer than the standard timeline.
Can I claim PIP and Universal Credit at the same time?
Yes. PIP is not counted as income for UC — they're paid in addition. Receiving PIP daily living can also qualify you for the LCWRA element of UC and exempt your household from the Benefit Cap.
Do you need a formal diagnosis to claim PIP?
No. PIP is awarded on functional impact, not diagnosis. Many people with long-COVID, chronic fatigue, or mental-health conditions without a single "named" diagnosis have successfully claimed.
How long does a PIP award last?
Awards are typically for 2, 5 or 10 years, with a "light-touch" review at the end. People with conditions that are unlikely to change can be given an "ongoing" award reviewed only every 10 years.