Yes — you can claim Personal Independence Payment (PIP) for anxiety, depression, or any other mental health condition. PIP is awarded based on how your condition affects your daily life, not on your diagnosis. Mental health conditions are among the most common reasons people receive PIP in the UK.
For a broader overview, see our PIP guide.
PIP Is About Function, Not Diagnosis
This is the single most important thing to understand. The DWP does not award PIP because you have been diagnosed with anxiety or depression. They award it because your condition makes it difficult — or impossible — to carry out everyday activities safely, reliably, repeatedly, and in a timely manner.
Two people with the same diagnosis can receive very different PIP outcomes, because PIP measures the impact of a condition, not its presence.
The four criteria DWP use when scoring each activity:
- Can you do it safely (without risk to yourself or others)?
- Can you do it to an acceptable standard?
- Can you do it as often as needed?
- Can you complete it in a reasonable time (within twice the normal time)?
If your anxiety or depression means you cannot reliably meet all four criteria, you score points — even if you can sometimes do the activity on a good day.
The PIP Assessment: 12 Activities and How They Apply to Mental Health
PIP is split into two components: Daily Living and Mobility. Each component has activities that are scored from 0 to 12 points. You need 8 points or more for the standard rate and 12 or more for the enhanced rate.
Daily Living Activities (10 activities)
| Activity | How mental health conditions commonly score |
|---|---|
| Preparing food | Anxiety may prevent safe use of cooker; low motivation from depression |
| Eating and drinking | Eating disorders, appetite loss, difficulties in social settings |
| Managing therapy | Taking medication, managing side effects, needing prompts |
| Washing and bathing | Inability to maintain personal hygiene during episodes |
| Managing toilet needs | — |
| Dressing and undressing | Low motivation; inability to dress on bad days |
| Communicating verbally | Selective mutism, panic attacks affecting speech, social anxiety |
| Reading and understanding | Cognitive fog, concentration difficulties from depression or PTSD |
| Mixing with other people | Social anxiety, agoraphobia — very commonly awarded |
| Making budgeting decisions | Inability to manage finances, impulsive spending (bipolar), cognitive impairment |
The bold activities are those most frequently relevant to anxiety and depression.
Mobility Activities (2 activities)
| Activity | How mental health conditions commonly score |
|---|---|
| Moving around | Physical mobility — less relevant for mental health only |
| Planning and following journeys | Anxiety about unfamiliar routes, agoraphobia, inability to travel alone — very commonly awarded |
“Planning and following journeys” is one of the most significant descriptors for people with anxiety. If you cannot travel to an unfamiliar place alone without overwhelming anxiety, or if you require accompaniment on all journeys, you may score 10–12 points on this activity alone — enough for enhanced Mobility.
PIP Rates 2026/27
| Component | Standard rate | Enhanced rate |
|---|---|---|
| Daily Living | £73.90/week | £110.40/week |
| Mobility | £29.20/week | £77.05/week |
You can receive:
- Daily Living only
- Mobility only
- Both components (at either rate independently)
Example: Someone with severe depression and social anxiety is awarded standard Daily Living and standard Mobility: £103.10/week (£450.21/month, paid every four weeks).
What “Reliability” Means in Practice
DWP must consider whether you can complete activities reliably — meaning on most days, not just on your best days.
If your depression means three or four days a week you cannot get out of bed and manage basic self-care, you should score based on those days — even if on good days you are able to function.
Common mistakes claimants make on PIP forms:
- Describing what they can do on their best day
- Saying “I can do it” without explaining how much effort or pain it takes
- Not mentioning that they need prompting, encouragement, or help from someone else
- Not including the time something takes (e.g. “getting dressed takes me 45 minutes due to fatigue and low motivation”)
Always describe your worst days, not your best.
Evidence That Strengthens a Mental Health PIP Claim
| Evidence type | Why it helps |
|---|---|
| GP records and letters | Confirms diagnosis, medication, treatment history |
| Psychiatrist / psychologist reports | Expert clinical opinion on functional impact |
| CMHT (Community Mental Health Team) letters | Shows level of care involvement |
| Crisis team or hospital records | Demonstrates severity |
| Therapy discharge letters | Treatment history |
| Carer’s statement | Corroboration of daily difficulties |
You do not need to obtain all of this before you apply. DWP will write to your healthcare providers directly. However, including a GP letter or support letter with your PIP2 form strengthens your case from the start.
Completing the PIP2 Form: Practical Tips
The PIP2 form (“How your disability affects you”) is the most important document in your claim. Take your time with it.
- Use the descriptor language — look up the exact wording DWP uses and mirror it
- Give specific examples: “Last Tuesday I could not leave the house because I had a panic attack at the door. This happens 3–4 times a week.”
- Include the support you receive: “My partner reminds me to take my medication every morning.”
- Do not minimise: people often downplay their condition when writing about it — be honest about bad days
- Get help: Citizens Advice, welfare rights advisers, or charities like Mind or Rethink can help you complete the form. This significantly increases success rates.
PIP and Other Benefits
PIP does not affect most other benefits — in fact, it can unlock additional support.
| Benefit | Effect of PIP |
|---|---|
| Universal Credit | Not affected — PIP is not counted as income |
| Housing Benefit | Not affected |
| Council Tax | May qualify you for a Council Tax disregard or reduction |
| Carer’s Allowance | Receiving PIP Daily Living (either rate) allows a carer to claim Carer’s Allowance for looking after you |
| UC carer element | A carer for someone on PIP Daily Living may gain the UC carer element |
| Free prescriptions | Not automatic — but worth checking NHS exemption certificates |
What to Do If You Are Refused PIP
If your PIP claim is refused or you receive a lower award than expected:
- Request a mandatory reconsideration within 1 month — a different DWP decision-maker reviews the case
- Appeal to the First-tier Tribunal if mandatory reconsideration fails — success rates at tribunal are high for mental health claimants
- Get help from Citizens Advice or a welfare rights adviser — representation at tribunal significantly improves outcomes
Do not be discouraged by an initial refusal. A large proportion of PIP decisions are overturned at tribunal.
Summary: Key Points for PIP and Mental Health
- PIP is based on functional impact, not diagnosis
- Mental health conditions are among the most common reasons for PIP awards
- “Planning and following journeys” and “mixing with other people” are the most frequently relevant descriptors
- Always describe your worst days on the PIP2 form
- Get support when completing the form — success rates are significantly higher with assistance
- Appeal if refused — tribunal success rates for mental health claimants are high
See also: our PIP rates and eligibility guide for full descriptor scoring tables and how to start your claim.