Benefits & Support
PIP Guide 2026 — Personal Independence Payment Eligibility & Rates
Complete guide to Personal Independence Payment (PIP). Who qualifies, how much you'll get, how to apply, assessments, and what to do if your claim is refused.
Personal Independence Payment (PIP) helps with extra costs of a long-term health condition or disability. Here’s everything you need to know about claiming.
PIP Rates 2026-27
Weekly Rates
| Component |
Standard Rate |
Enhanced Rate |
| Daily Living |
£77.35 |
£115.45 |
| Mobility |
£30.35 |
£81.00 |
Combined Weekly Amounts
| Combination |
Weekly Amount |
Annual Amount |
| Daily Living Standard only |
£77.35 |
£4,022 |
| Daily Living Enhanced only |
£115.45 |
£6,003 |
| Mobility Standard only |
£30.35 |
£1,578 |
| Mobility Enhanced only |
£81.00 |
£4,212 |
| Both Standard |
£107.70 |
£5,600 |
| Both Enhanced |
£196.45 |
£10,215 |
| DL Enhanced + Mobility Standard |
£145.80 |
£7,582 |
| DL Standard + Mobility Enhanced |
£158.35 |
£8,234 |
Who Can Claim PIP?
Basic Eligibility
| Requirement |
Detail |
| Age |
16 to State Pension age |
| Condition |
Long-term health condition or disability |
| Duration |
Difficulties for 3+ months, expected 9+ more |
| Residence |
Living in England, Wales, or Scotland |
| Presence |
In UK for 2 of last 3 years |
What PIP Is NOT Based On
| Factor |
Effect on PIP |
| Your income |
No effect — not means-tested |
| Your savings |
No effect |
| Working status |
Can work and claim |
| Specific condition |
Based on effects, not diagnosis |
| NI contributions |
Not required |
Conditions That May Qualify
| Category |
Examples |
| Physical |
Arthritis, MS, fibromyalgia |
| Mental health |
Depression, anxiety, PTSD |
| Learning disability |
Autism, ADHD |
| Sensory |
Vision loss, hearing loss |
| Long-term illness |
Diabetes, heart disease |
| Progressive conditions |
Motor neurone disease, dementia |
How PIP Is Assessed
Daily Living Activities (10 Activities)
| Activity |
What’s Assessed |
| 1. Preparing food |
Cooking a simple meal |
| 2. Eating and drinking |
Getting food/drink to mouth |
| 3. Managing treatments |
Taking medication, therapy |
| 4. Washing and bathing |
Cleaning yourself |
| 5. Managing toilet needs |
Using the toilet |
| 6. Dressing and undressing |
Putting on/taking off clothes |
| 7. Communicating |
Understanding/expressing |
| 8. Reading and understanding |
Signs, written information |
| 9. Engaging with others |
Face-to-face interaction |
| 10. Managing money |
Budgeting decisions |
Mobility Activities (2 Activities)
| Activity |
What’s Assessed |
| 11. Planning/following journeys |
Mental function to travel |
| 12. Moving around |
Physical ability to walk |
Point System
| Points Needed |
Award Level |
| 8-11 points |
Standard rate |
| 12+ points |
Enhanced rate |
Daily living and mobility assessed separately — you can get different rates for each.
Understanding the Points
Example: Activity 4 - Washing and Bathing
| Descriptor |
Points |
| Can wash and bathe unaided |
0 |
| Needs aid or appliance |
2 |
| Needs supervision or prompting |
2 |
| Needs assistance to wash hair or body |
2 |
| Needs assistance to get in/out of bath |
3 |
| Cannot wash and bathe at all |
8 |
Example: Activity 12 - Moving Around
| Descriptor |
Points |
| Can stand and move 200m unaided |
0 |
| Can stand and move 200m with aid |
4 |
| Can stand and move 50-200m |
8 |
| Can stand and move 20-50m |
10 |
| Can stand and move under 20m |
12 |
| Cannot stand or move at all |
12 |
Key Assessment Principles
| Principle |
Meaning |
| Reliably |
Can you do it to an acceptable standard? |
| Repeatedly |
Can you do it as often as needed? |
| In reasonable time |
Does it take much longer than normal? |
| Safely |
Without risk of harm to yourself/others? |
How to Apply
Step 1: Call to Start Claim
| Contact |
Detail |
| Phone |
0800 917 2222 |
| Textphone |
0800 917 7777 |
| Hours |
Mon-Fri 8am-5pm |
| What happens |
Basic details taken, form sent |
| Timing |
Detail |
| Receive form |
Within 2 weeks of call |
| Deadline |
Return within 1 month |
| Extension |
Call if need more time |
| Format |
35+ pages |
Step 3: Assessment
| Type |
When Used |
| Face-to-face |
Most common |
| Telephone |
Some cases |
| Video call |
Increasingly common |
| Paper-based |
Where evidence is clear |
Step 4: Decision
| Outcome |
What Happens |
| Award made |
Letter confirms rate and period |
| Refused |
Can request Mandatory Reconsideration |
| Partial award |
Consider challenging |
Tips for Each Section
| Section |
Guidance |
| About your health conditions |
List all conditions, medications |
| Daily living activities |
Describe worst days |
| Mobility activities |
Give specific distances, times |
| Additional information |
Any relevant details |
What to Include
| Evidence Type |
Examples |
| Medical evidence |
Letters from GP, consultants |
| Prescriptions |
Current medication list |
| Care plans |
Social services documents |
| Support letters |
From carers, family |
| Assessments |
OT reports, mental health |
Common Mistakes to Avoid
| Mistake |
Better Approach |
| Only describing good days |
Describe worst days |
| Saying “I can do it” |
Explain how difficult it is |
| Not explaining variability |
Describe good and bad days |
| Missing conditions |
List mental AND physical |
| Empty boxes |
Always explain, even briefly |
The Assessment
What to Expect
| Stage |
What Happens |
| Arrival |
Observed from waiting room |
| Introduction |
Assessor introduces self |
| Questions |
About daily activities |
| Physical examination |
Sometimes, with consent |
| Duration |
45-90 minutes typically |
Example Questions
| Activity |
They Might Ask |
| Preparing food |
“Can you describe making a meal?” |
| Washing |
“Tell me about washing — what help do you need?” |
| Mobility |
“How far can you walk before needing to stop?” |
| Social situations |
“Do you go out alone? What happens?” |
How to Answer
| Approach |
Example |
| Describe the difficulty |
“I can do it, but it takes me 45 minutes and causes pain” |
| Mention aids |
“I use a perching stool because I can’t stand” |
| Explain consequences |
“If I cook, I’m exhausted and need to rest all afternoon” |
| Be specific |
“I can walk about 30 metres before needing to stop” |
After the Assessment
| Timeline |
Event |
| 4-6 weeks |
Receive decision letter |
| Award letter |
Details rate and review date |
| Refusal or low award |
Consider challenging |
If Your Claim Is Refused
Mandatory Reconsideration (MR)
| Step |
Detail |
| Deadline |
Within 1 month of decision |
| How to request |
Phone, online, or in writing |
| Process |
DWP reviews decision |
| Outcome |
Can be changed or maintained |
Appeal to Tribunal
| If |
Then |
| MR unsuccessful |
Can appeal to tribunal |
| Deadline |
Within 1 month of MR decision |
| Free |
No cost to appeal |
| Success rate |
~70% of appeals succeed |
Appeal Process
| Stage |
What Happens |
| 1. Submit appeal |
Online or SSCS1 form |
| 2. Hearing date |
Usually 3-6 months later |
| 3. Tribunal hearing |
Panel of 3 people |
| 4. Decision |
Often on the day |
Preparing for Appeal
| Preparation |
Action |
| Get assessment report |
Request copy from DWP |
| Compare to your form |
Identify inaccuracies |
| Gather new evidence |
Updated medical info |
| Citizens Advice |
Can help prepare |
| Understand descriptors |
Know what points you need |
PIP and Other Benefits
Benefits It Can Unlock
| Benefit |
How PIP Helps |
| Motability |
Enhanced mobility gives car/scooter access |
| Carer’s Allowance |
Your carer can claim |
| ESA |
May qualify for support group |
| Universal Credit |
Higher disabled element |
| Council Tax |
May qualify for discount |
| Blue Badge |
Enhanced mobility = automatic |
Benefits It Doesn’t Affect
| Benefit |
Affected? |
| Universal Credit |
UC topped up, not replaced |
| State Pension |
Unaffected |
| Child Benefit |
Unaffected |
| Tax credits |
May increase them |
Working and PIP
| Situation |
PIP Still Paid? |
| You work |
Yes — no income test |
| Full-time employment |
Yes |
| High earner |
Yes |
| Self-employed |
Yes |
PIP Reviews
Why Reviews Happen
| Reason |
Detail |
| Award period ends |
Typically 2-10 years |
| Condition changes |
Report changes |
| DWP review |
Random checks |
Award Review Timeline
| Award Type |
Typical Duration |
| Ongoing award |
10 years or indefinite |
| Light touch |
10 years |
| Standard |
2-5 years |
| Short award |
1-2 years |
What to Do at Review
| Action |
Detail |
| Complete AR1 form |
Review form |
| Update evidence |
New medical info |
| Describe current situation |
May be different from before |
| Assessment possible |
But not always |
Special Rules for Terminal Illness
Fast-Track Process
| Feature |
Detail |
| Definition |
Not expected to live beyond 12 months |
| Form |
DS1500 from doctor |
| Assessment |
Usually none needed |
| Processing |
Days rather than months |
| Award |
Usually enhanced daily living |
| Review |
After 3 years |
Getting Help with Your Claim
Free Support
| Organization |
What They Offer |
| Citizens Advice |
Form help, appeals support |
| Disability Rights UK |
Guides and factsheets |
| Scope |
Helpline and support |
| Mind |
Mental health specific |
| Local welfare rights |
Council services |
PIP Helpline
| Detail |
Information |
| Number |
0800 121 4433 |
| Textphone |
0800 121 4493 |
| Hours |
Mon-Fri 8am-5pm |
| Use for |
Claim status, questions |
Checklist: Applying for PIP
Before Calling
| Prepare |
Done? |
| National Insurance number |
|
| Bank/building society details |
|
| GP name and address |
|
| List of conditions |
|
| Current medications |
|
Completing PIP2
| Complete |
Done? |
| Describe all conditions |
|
| Explain worst days |
|
| Detail how activities affected |
|
| Include all evidence |
|
| Keep photocopy |
|
| Return before deadline |
|
For Assessment
| Prepare |
Done? |
| Know your form answers |
|
| Bring medications list |
|
| Bring mobility aids |
|
| Take someone with you |
|
| Note assessor’s name |
|
| Describe difficulties honestly |
|