Personal Independence Payment rates change each year, and the amount you receive depends on which of two rates you fall into

Personal Independence Payment (PIP) is a UK benefit for people aged 16 to 64 who have a long-term health condition or disability affecting daily life or mobility. The government sets two payment rates: a standard rate and an enhanced rate. As of April 2024, the standard rate is £184.30 per week and the enhanced rate is £276.75 per week. These figures change annually in April, usually rising with inflation.

You do not receive both rates. The assessment process determines which one applies to you based on how your condition affects your ability to carry out daily activities and move around. Some people receive only the daily living component, some receive only the mobility component, and some receive both. Each component has its own standard and enhanced rate.

The actual amount in your bank account each month depends on which components you are awarded and at which rate. If you receive both components at the enhanced rate, you would get £276.75 per week for daily living plus £195.45 per week for mobility, totalling £472.20 per week or roughly £2,047 per month. If you receive only the standard rate for daily living, you would get £184.30 per week or roughly £800 per month.

Key Takeaways

  • PIP has two separate components—daily living and mobility—and you may receive one, both, or neither depending on your assessment.
  • Each component has a standard rate and an enhanced rate; the assessment determines which rate applies to you.
  • Rates change every April and are set by the UK government; the current rates are £184.30 per week (standard daily living) and £276.75 per week (enhanced daily living).
  • Your actual monthly payment is calculated by adding whichever components and rates you have been awarded and multiplying by 52 weeks, then dividing by 12 months.
  • PIP is not means-tested, so your income or savings do not affect the amount you receive once you have been awarded it.

How the two components work and what they cover

The daily living component covers support with things like washing, dressing, eating, taking medication, and managing your health condition day to day. The standard rate recognises you need some help; the enhanced rate recognises you need significant help or supervision most of the time. You can receive this component whether or not you can walk or leave your home.

The mobility component covers support with getting around—either because you cannot walk far, cannot walk at all, or have difficulty with balance and coordination. The standard rate recognises you need help planning or following a journey; the enhanced rate recognises you cannot walk or are at risk of serious harm if you try. You can receive mobility support even if you have no difficulty with daily living tasks.

The assessment looks at what you can do on a good day and a bad day, not just your diagnosis. Two people with the same condition may receive different rates or different components because their symptoms affect them differently. The assessor will ask about your typical week and what support you actually need in practice.

How payment reaches your bank account

Once you have been awarded PIP, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) pays it directly into your bank account every four weeks. The payment date stays the same each time unless you change your bank details. You will receive a payment schedule when your award is confirmed, showing exactly which dates money will arrive.

If you have a joint bank account, the payment still goes in under your name and you are responsible for it. If you cannot manage your own finances, you can ask the DWP to appoint a representative payee to receive the money on your behalf—usually a family member or carer.

What happens when rates change in April

Every April, the government announces new PIP rates. If rates go up, your payment increases automatically on the next payment date after April. You do not need to do anything; the DWP updates your award without you having to reapply or provide new information.

If you are in the middle of an assessment when rates change, you will receive whichever rate is current when your decision is made. If you are appealing a decision, the appeal is based on the rates that were in force when you were first assessed, not the new rates.

How long you receive PIP and when it stops

PIP awards last for a set period—usually two, five, or ten years depending on how stable your condition is expected to be. Before your award ends, the DWP will contact you to ask whether your circumstances have changed. If they have not changed significantly, your award may be renewed without a new assessment. If they have changed, you may be asked to attend another assessment.

Your PIP stops if you reach age 65, at which point you may become may have access to to Attendance Allowance instead—a similar benefit for people over State Pension age. It also stops if you leave the UK for more than four weeks, though there are exceptions for certain countries and circumstances.

Backdating and arrears if you were underpaid

If the DWP made an error and underpaid you, you can ask them to correct it. Backdating depends on when the error was discovered and how long it has been. In some cases, the DWP will pay arrears going back several years; in others, the law limits how far back they can go.

If you believe you were underpaid, contact the DWP and explain what happened. Ask them to review your case and provide a written explanation of any arrears they owe you. If you disagree with their decision, you can appeal through the independent appeals service.

How PIP interacts with other benefits and income

PIP is not means-tested, which means your income, savings, or other benefits do not reduce the amount you receive. You can receive PIP alongside Universal Credit, Employment and Support Allowance, or other benefits without any reduction to any of them.

However, if you receive certain other disability benefits—such as Disability Living Allowance (DLA) or Attendance Allowance—you cannot receive PIP at the same time. If you are awarded PIP, any existing DLA or Attendance Allowance award will end. The DWP handles the transition, but you should be aware that the rates and rules are different, so your payment may change.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get PIP if I work?

Yes. PIP is not affected by whether you work or how much you earn. You can receive the full rate while working full-time, part-time, or self-employed. The only requirement is that your health condition or disability affects your daily living or mobility.

What if my condition gets worse after I have been awarded PIP?

You can ask the DWP to review your award at any time if your condition has significantly worsened. They may carry out a new assessment and increase your rate or add a component you were not previously receiving. There is no penalty for asking for a review.

Do I have to pay tax on PIP?

No. PIP is not taxable income, so you do not report it to HMRC or pay income tax on it. It does not affect your tax code or tax allowance.

What if I disagree with the amount I have been awarded?

You can appeal the decision within one month of receiving the letter. You do not have to pay anything to appeal. The independent appeals service (called the First-tier Tribunal) will review your case, and you can provide new evidence or attend a hearing to explain your situation.

How do I report a change in my circumstances?

Contact the DWP immediately if your condition changes, you move house, or your bank details change. You can report changes online through your personal account, by phone, or by post. Reporting changes quickly helps avoid overpayments or delays to your award.