Personal Independence Payment is a monthly cash benefit for people in the UK who have a long-term health condition or disability that affects their ability to work or manage daily life

Personal Independence Payment (PIP) is a benefit paid by the UK Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to adults aged 16 to 64 who have a physical or mental health condition lasting at least 12 months. Unlike employment-based benefits, PIP is not tied to your work history or National Insurance contributions. The payment recognizes the extra costs of living with a disability—things like mobility aids, personal care, or specialist equipment—rather than replacing lost income.

PIP comes in two parts: a daily living component and a mobility component. Each part has two rates—standard and enhanced—depending on how much help you need. You can receive one part, both parts, or neither, based on your individual circumstances. The amount you get each month depends on which components you may have access to for and at what rate.

The benefit is separate from other payments you may receive. You can claim PIP while working, while receiving other benefits like Universal Credit or Employment and Support Allowance, or while receiving a state pension. There is no upper limit on savings or capital that would disqualify you, and it does not affect your tax status.

Key Takeaways

  • PIP is a monthly payment for people aged 16 to 64 with a long-term health condition or disability that affects daily life or work, regardless of work history.
  • The benefit has two components—daily living and mobility—each with standard and enhanced rates, and you may receive one, both, or neither depending on your needs.
  • PIP is not means-tested, so your savings, income, or employment status do not affect whether you can receive it.
  • To receive PIP, your condition must have lasted or be expected to last at least 12 months, and you must be able to describe how it affects specific daily activities.
  • The DWP assesses your claim using a detailed form, medical evidence, and sometimes a face-to-face assessment with a healthcare professional.

The two components and what they cover

The daily living component recognizes the cost of managing your condition at home. This includes help with personal care (washing, dressing, using the toilet), preparing food, taking medication, communicating with others, or managing your mental health. The standard rate is £68.60 per week and the enhanced rate is £102.15 per week, though these figures change each April.

The mobility component covers the cost of getting around. This includes using public transport, taxis, or a personal vehicle; paying for a carer to accompany you; or buying mobility aids. The standard rate is £28.60 per week and the enhanced rate is £75.75 per week. You do not need to own a car or use transport regularly to may have access to—the component recognizes that your condition makes movement difficult or unsafe, whether you travel or not.

You assess each component separately. You might may have access to for enhanced daily living but only standard mobility, or vice versa. Some people may have access to for one component only. The DWP looks at what you can and cannot do, not at your diagnosis alone.

How the assessment process works

When you make a claim, you complete a detailed form called the PIP2 form. This form asks you to describe how your condition affects specific activities: moving around, standing, sitting, washing, dressing, eating, managing medication, communicating, socializing, and making decisions. You are asked to describe what you can do on a good day and a bad day, and whether you need help or supervision.

You should provide medical evidence with your claim—letters from your GP, hospital consultants, therapists, or other healthcare professionals who know your condition. The DWP uses this evidence alongside your form to make a decision. Some claims are decided on paper alone; others trigger a face-to-face assessment with a healthcare professional contracted by the DWP.

The assessment is not a test you can pass or fail. The assessor is gathering information about how your condition affects you in practice. You can bring someone with you—a friend, family member, or advocate—and you can ask for a break if you need one. The assessor writes a report, which the DWP then uses to make the final decision.

The entire process from claim to decision typically takes 8 to 12 weeks, though some claims take longer if more evidence is needed or if there is a backlog. You can ask for a mandatory reconsideration if you disagree with the decision, and you can appeal to an independent tribunal if the reconsideration does not change the outcome.

Who can claim and the 12-month rule

You must be aged 16 to 64 and have a health condition or disability that affects your ability to carry out daily activities or work. Your condition must have lasted, or be expected to last, at least 12 months. This does not mean you must have had it for 12 months before you claim—it means the condition is expected to continue for at least 12 months from the date you claim or from when it started, whichever is later.

If your condition is terminal (expected to end your life within six months), you can claim under the Special Rules for Terminal Illness. This fast-tracks your claim and you receive the enhanced rate of both components automatically, without an assessment.

You must also be in Great Britain when you claim and be a British citizen, have settled status, or have a right to reside. If you move abroad, your PIP usually stops, though there are limited exceptions for people moving within the European Economic Area or Switzerland.

PIP rates and payment timing

PIP is paid every four weeks, usually into your bank account. The amount you receive depends on which components you may have access to for and at what rate. As of April 2024, the weekly rates are: daily living standard £68.60, daily living enhanced £102.15, mobility standard £28.60, and mobility enhanced £75.75. These rates change each April in line with inflation.

If you may have access to for both components at enhanced rates, you would receive approximately £630 per month (£102.15 plus £75.75 multiplied by 4.33 weeks). If you may have access to for daily living standard and mobility enhanced, you would receive approximately £470 per month. The actual amount varies slightly depending on the exact payment dates.

You are paid for the full period of your award, which is usually between one and ten years depending on how stable your condition is expected to be. Before your award ends, the DWP writes to you asking whether your circumstances have changed. If they have not, your award may be renewed automatically; if they have, you may need to provide updated evidence.

How PIP differs from other disability payments

Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) is an income-replacement benefit for people who cannot work due to illness or disability. It is means-tested and depends on your National Insurance contributions. PIP is not means-tested and is not tied to work history—you can receive both at the same time.

Universal Credit is a means-tested benefit for people on a low income. If you receive PIP, you can still claim Universal Credit, and PIP does not count as income when the DWP assesses your Universal Credit entitlement. Some people receive both.

Disability Living Allowance (DLA) is the benefit that PIP replaced for adults. If you were already receiving DLA before PIP was introduced, you were gradually moved onto PIP. New claims for DLA are only possible for children under 16.

Attendance Allowance is for people aged 65 and over. If you reach 65 while receiving PIP, you stop receiving PIP and may be able to claim Attendance Allowance instead, though the rates are different.

What happens if your circumstances change

You must tell the DWP if your condition improves, worsens, or changes in a way that affects your daily life or mobility. You can report a change online through your PIP account, by phone, or by post. If your condition improves significantly, your award may be reduced or stopped. If it worsens, you can ask for your claim to be reassessed.

If you return to work, you do not automatically lose PIP. The benefit is not affected by how many hours you work or how much you earn. However, if your work means your condition no longer affects your daily activities or mobility in the way it did before, the DWP may reassess your claim.

If you are overpaid—for example, because you did not report a change in circumstances—the DWP will ask you to repay the money. You can ask for a payment plan if you cannot repay in a lump sum. If you disagree with an overpayment decision, you can ask for a mandatory reconsideration.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I claim PIP if I work?

Yes. PIP is not affected by employment or earnings. You can work full-time, part-time, or be self-employed and still receive PIP. The benefit recognizes the extra costs of your condition, not lost income from work.

What if I disagree with the DWP's decision?

You can ask for a mandatory reconsideration within one month of the decision letter. The DWP will review the decision and may change it. If you still disagree, you can appeal to an independent tribunal. You do not need a lawyer, though you can bring an advocate or representative with you.

Do I have to attend a face-to-face assessment?

Not always. Some claims are decided on the form and medical evidence alone. If the DWP needs more information, they will invite you to an assessment. You can ask for the assessment to be done by phone or video if you cannot attend in person due to your condition.

What counts as medical evidence?

Letters from your GP, hospital consultants, mental health professionals, physiotherapists, or other healthcare providers who know your condition are the most useful. You can also provide evidence from social workers, support workers, or carers who see how your condition affects you daily. Diagnosis alone is not enough—the DWP needs to understand the impact on your activities.

Can I receive PIP while abroad?

PIP usually stops if you leave Great Britain for more than four weeks. There are limited exceptions for people moving within the European Economic Area or Switzerland under certain conditions. If you plan to travel or move, contact the DWP before you go to understand how it will affect your payment.