Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
PIP is a benefit that’s available to some people who have difficulty with certain daily-living activities, with their movement or with going out. The awards helps with the extra costs of long-term illness or disability. To qualify, you need to be aged 16 or over – but under State Pension age. If you are eligible, PIP can be paid regardless of your income, savings or National Insurance contribution record and is a tax-free benefit. You can also claim PIP even if you are working or studying.
If you are a carer who also has care needs, you may be able to claim PIP for yourself and this will not affect your Carer’s Allowance. If you receive PIP, any other benefits you’re receiving won’t go down; they may even increase. If you’re a carer, claiming PIP may even help you qualify for certain benefits (such as Carer’s Allowance), and it may entitle you (whether you’re the claimant or carer) to further help with Council Tax and Housing Benefit. So having a benefits review if you’re awarded PIP may be useful.
There are no restrictions on how you can spend your PIP money; you do not have to spend it on paying for the care that you need. However, your council or Health and Social Care Trust can take PIP into account when calculating how much you might need to pay for any care services you receive from them.
Who can claim PIP?
To qualify for PIP you must meet all the following criteria:
- You are aged from 16 to below your State Pension age.
- You satisfy the daily living and/or mobility activities test.
- you have a long-term physical or mental health condition or disability.
- You satisfy the daily living and/or mobility activities test.
- You have satisfied the test for at least three months and are likely to continue to satisfy the tests for at least nine months after the three month qualifying period. You can make your claim before the three months have passed, but you will not receive any payment until they have.
Note: You might be able to stay on PIP until the end of the award period or until it’s reviewed even when you reach State Pension age if you still meet the eligibility criteria.
Information Needed:
- Contact details
- Date of birth
- NI Number
- Bank of Building Society account number and sort code
- Doctor or health worker’s name, address and telephone number
- Dates and addresses for any time you’ve spent in a care home or hospital
- Dates for any time spent abroad for more than 4 weeks at a time, and the countries visited.
Once the initial call has been made, a form called will be sent out within 2 weeks. Form to be completed using the guidance that comes with it and return to the address on the form. Include supporting documentation such as prescription lists, care plans, or information from doctors or others involved in care.
Need for Assessment?
An assessment may be necessary with a health professional if more information is needed: They’ll ask about:
- How condition affects your daily living and mobility
- Any treatments you’ve had or will have.
Special Circumstances
- If you’re nearing the end of life: You can get PIP more quickly and automatically receive the enhanced daily living component if a medical professional confirms you might have 12 months or less to live.
- If you’re over State Pension age: You cannot usually make a new claim for PIP. You should apply for Attendance Allowance instead. If you were already receiving PIP before you reached State Pension age, your payments will continue.
The weekly rates for the Personal Independence Payment (PIP) for the 2025/2026 financial year are between £30.30 and £114.60 per component, depending on the severity of need. You may qualify for one or both components.
| Lower weekly rate | Higher weekly rate | |
| Daily living part | £76.70 | £114.60 |
| Mobility part | £30.30 | £80 |
The total maximum amount you can receive if you are eligible for the enhanced rates of both components is £194.60 per week, or approximately £778.40 every four weeks. The amount you receive depends on a points-based assessment by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to determine how your long-term health condition or disability affects your daily life and ability to get around, not the condition itself.