What is PIP (Personal Independence Payment)?

What PIP is

Personal Independence Payment (PIP) is a benefit from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). It helps with the extra costs of living with a long-term health condition or disability.

PIP is about how your condition affects you, not the condition itself.

Who it is for

PIP is for people who:

• are 16 or over
• have a long-term physical or mental health condition or disability
• find everyday tasks or getting around difficult because of it
• expect those difficulties to last at least 12 months from when they started

You usually need to be under State Pension age to make a new claim, unless you got PIP or Adult Disability Payment in the last 12 months.

How much it pays in 2026/27

You can get one part or both. So the total ranges from £30.30 a week (mobility standard only) to £194.60 a week (both enhanced). It is usually paid every 4 weeks, so the maximum is £778.40 every 4 weeks.

How PIP is decided

DWP looks at 12 activities:

• Daily living (10): preparing food, eating and drinking, managing treatments, washing and bathing, using the toilet, dressing, talking, reading, mixing with other people, and making money decisions.
• Mobility (2): planning and following journeys, and moving around.

Each activity scores points. You need at least 8 points for the standard rate of a part and 12 points for the enhanced rate. You may be asked to an assessment with a health professional, who writes a report. A DWP case manager then makes the decision.

How to apply

Call the PIP new claims line on 0800 917 2222, or apply online if your area offers it. You then fill in a form called "How your disability affects you" and return it within 1 month. If a doctor or other medical professional has said you might have 12 months or less to live, there is a different way to claim and you will not need a face-to-face assessment.

Things to know

• Not means-tested: your income and savings do not matter.
• You can work: a job does not stop you getting PIP.
• Opens other help: getting PIP can help the person who cares for you claim Carer's Allowance, or add extra amounts to other benefits.
• Reviews: awards last between 9 months and 10 years, and are then looked at again.

If you live in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland

• Wales: PIP works the same as in England.
• Scotland: you cannot make a new claim for PIP. Apply for Adult Disability Payment from Social Security Scotland instead.
• Northern Ireland: PIP is run by the Department for Communities. Call the PIP Centre on 0800 587 0932.

Related guides

• Who can get PIP?
• How do I apply for PIP?
• How much is PIP?
• What happens at a PIP assessment?
• Is there a list of conditions that qualify for PIP?
• How does PIP work in Northern Ireland?

Where this comes from

• Personal Independence Payment (GOV.UK)
• PIP: eligibility (GOV.UK)
• PIP: how much you'll get (GOV.UK)
• PIP: after you've applied (GOV.UK)
• PIP: claiming if you're nearing the end of life (GOV.UK)
• PIP assessment guide part 2: the assessment criteria (DWP)
• The Social Security (Personal Independence Payment) Regulations 2013, regulation 5
• Adult Disability Payment (mygov.scot)
• Personal Independence Payment (nidirect)