PIP Eligibility 2026: Who Qualifies & How Much You Get

Personal Independence Payment (PIP) helps with the extra costs of a long-term health condition or disability. This guide sets out who can get it: the age and residence rules, how long your condition must have lasted, and how many points you need.

See our PIP hub page for condition guides, assessment tips and rates.

PIP Rates 2026-27

Rates below are for 2026/27.

Weekly Rates

Combined Weekly Amounts

Who Can Claim PIP?

PIP is not about your diagnosis — it is about how your condition affects you. Two people with the same condition can receive very different awards depending on how severely their daily functioning is impacted. This is why the application process centres on describing your everyday difficulties in detail, rather than simply providing a diagnosis letter.

Basic Eligibility

• You're 16 or over, and usually under State Pension age to make a new claim.
• You have a long-term physical or mental health condition or disability.
• You have difficulty doing certain everyday tasks or getting around.
• You expect the difficulties to last for at least 12 months from when they started.
• In Scotland you apply for Adult Disability Payment instead.

Where you live. To apply for PIP you usually need to have lived in England, Scotland or Wales for at least 2 of the last 3 years, and be living in England or Wales when you apply.

• You've lived in England, Scotland or Wales for at least 2 of the last 3 years.
• You're living in England or Wales when you apply.
• If you've recently returned from the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein, you might get PIP sooner.

Northern Ireland runs its own PIP. State Pension age is 66, rising to 67 between 2026 and 2028.

What PIP Is NOT Based On

PIP is notably available to people who are working — there is no income or earnings test. If you are disabled or have a long-term health condition that affects daily living or mobility, you may be entitled regardless of whether you are in employment. See our guide on claiming PIP while working for more detail.

Conditions That May Qualify

How PIP Is Assessed

Daily Living Activities (10 Activities) — Full Descriptors Guide

Mobility Activities (2 Activities)

Point System

The points system sounds clinical but the assessors are trained to give you the opportunity to describe your situation. The key is to answer for your worst days — not your best. If your condition fluctuates, explain that, including what happens on a bad day. See our guide on PIP assessments for hidden and fluctuating conditions.

Daily living and mobility assessed separately — you can get different rates for each.

Understanding the Points

Each activity has a list of descriptors, from “can do it unaided” (0 points) up to needing the most help. You score the highest descriptor that applies to you in each activity, and the points are added up within each component. Every descriptor and its points are in our PIP descriptors guide.

Key Assessment Principles

How to Apply

Step 1: Call to Start Claim

Step 2: Complete PIP2 Form

Step 3: Assessment

Step 4: Decision

Filling in the PIP2 Form

The PIP2 form is long and can feel overwhelming — but it is your main opportunity to tell the DWP exactly how your condition affects you. Take your time with it. If you need help, Citizens Advice offers form-filling support, and our PIP evidence requirements guide explains what medical documentation to include.

Tips for Each Section

What to Include

Common Mistakes to Avoid

The Assessment

Most PIP claims require a functional assessment — either face-to-face, by phone, or video call. In some cases (where evidence is strong) a paper-based assessment is used. Home assessments are available if you cannot travel; see our PIP home assessment guide.

What to Expect

For a full breakdown of how to prepare, see our PIP assessment tips guide. In brief:

Example Questions

How to Answer

After the Assessment

If Your Claim Is Refused

Mandatory Reconsideration (MR)

Appeal to Tribunal

Appeal Process

Preparing for Appeal

PIP and Other Benefits

Receiving PIP can act as a gateway to several other benefits and schemes. It is worth checking each of these once your PIP award is in place, as some are automatic (Blue Badge for 8+ points on “moving around”, for example) and others require a separate application.

Benefits It Can Unlock

Benefits It Doesn’t Affect

Working and PIP

PIP Reviews — What to Expect

Why Reviews Happen

Award Length

Your decision letter says how long your award lasts and when it will be reviewed. First awards last between 9 months and 10 years, depending on whether your needs are likely to change. People over State Pension age usually get an ongoing award with a light-touch review every 10 years.

What to Do at Review

Special Rules for Terminal Illness

You can claim PIP under the special rules for end of life if a doctor or medical professional has said you might have 12 months or less to live and you're 16 or over (and under State Pension age if you haven't had PIP before). The SR1 form (previously DS1500) is completed by a doctor or specialist nurse. You must be 16 or over, and under State Pension age if you have not had PIP before. You automatically get the enhanced daily living rate, and you don’t need a face-to-face assessment. For cancer-specific PIP claiming, see our PIP for cancer guide.

Fast-Track Process

Getting Help with Your Claim

Free Support

PIP Helpline

Checklist: Applying for PIP

Before Calling

Completing PIP2

For Assessment

Related Guides

• PIP guides by condition: arthritis, back pain, chronic pain, mental health, ADHD and autism, bowel conditions, neurological conditions, hearing loss, cancer, diabetes and COPD

PIP Rates & Components

• PIP Rates 2027/28 — What to Expect

Applying and Assessments

• First Time Claiming PIP UK — How to Apply
• PIP Assessment Tips UK — How to Prepare
• PIP Assessment Tips for Anxiety and Depression
• PIP Evidence Requirements Guide
• How Long Does a PIP Decision Take?

Challenging a Decision

• PIP Mandatory Reconsideration Guide

Condition-Specific Guides

• PIP for Anxiety and Depression
• PIP for ADHD
• PIP for Arthritis
• PIP for Fibromyalgia
• PIP for Cancer — Special Rules

Related Benefits

• PIP and Universal Credit Together
• Motability Scheme Guide
• Blue Badge Application Guide
• Carer’s Allowance UK Guide
• ESA UK Guide
• Disability Benefits Guide UK

2026 Changes

• PIP Changes 2026 — Welfare Reform and the 4-Point Rule
• PIP vs DLA — Key Differences