Personal Independence Payment (PIP): Rates, Eligibility, Claims

PIP is one of the most searched benefits in the UK, and one of the most misunderstood. It isn't based on your diagnosis, your income or whether you work. It's based on how your condition affects everyday tasks and getting around, which is why the way you describe those tasks matters so much. Here's what GOV.UK says, in plain English.

PIP weekly amounts for each part

There are 2 parts to PIP, and each has a lower and a higher weekly rate. You can get one part or both. GOV.UK publishes these amounts, as of Nov 2026:

Part of PIP	Lower weekly rate	Higher weekly rate
Daily living part	76.70 pounds	114.60 pounds
Mobility part	30.30 pounds	80 pounds

GOV.UK says PIP is tax free and the amount isn't affected by your income or savings. It's usually paid every 4 weeks into a bank, building society or credit union account. Your decision letter tells you the date of your first payment, which day of the week you'll usually be paid, how long you'll get PIP for and when or if your claim will be reviewed. If a payment date falls on a bank holiday, you'll usually be paid before it.

Daily living and mobility: what each part covers

Whether you get one or both parts, and at which rate, depends on how difficult you find the tasks below. You might get the daily living part if you need help with:

• preparing food
• eating and drinking
• managing your medicines or treatments
• washing and bathing
• using the toilet
• dressing and undressing
• reading
• managing your money
• socialising and being around other people
• talking, listening and understanding

You might get the mobility part if you need help with working out a route and following it, physically moving around, or leaving your home. You don't need a physical disability to get the mobility part. GOV.UK says you might also be eligible if you have difficulty getting around because of a cognitive or mental health condition, like anxiety.

How the DWP judges difficulty

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) looks at each task and asks three questions: whether you can do it safely, how long it takes you, and whether you need help to do it, from a person or using extra equipment. You must have difficulty with tasks most of the time, which GOV.UK defines as more than half of the days over a 12-month period. If you're nearing the end of life, you'll automatically get the daily living part, and whether you get the mobility part depends on your needs.

Who can get PIP

GOV.UK says you can get PIP if all of these apply to you:

• you're 16 or over
• 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

You also usually need to be under State Pension age to make a new claim. Over that age, you can't usually start a new PIP claim and you can apply for Attendance Allowance instead, unless you got PIP or Adult Disability Payment in the last 12 months. You'll usually need to have lived in England, Scotland or Wales for at least 2 of the last 3 years and be in England or Wales when you apply.

If you live in Scotland, you apply for Adult Disability Payment (ADP) instead of PIP, and Northern Ireland has its own way to claim. If you get Disability Living Allowance (DLA), GOV.UK says it's being replaced by PIP for most adults. You'll keep DLA if you're under 16 or were born on or before 8 April 1948, and otherwise you don't need to do anything until the DWP writes to you, unless your circumstances change.

You can get PIP alongside all other benefits except Armed Forces Independence Payment. If you get Constant Attendance Allowance you'll get less of the daily living part, and if you get War Pensioners' Mobility Supplement you won't get the mobility part.

How to start a PIP claim

1. Check you're eligible, and check you're not in Scotland (ADP) or Northern Ireland (a different claim route). There's also a different, faster way to claim if you're nearing the end of life.
2. Gather what the call will ask for: your contact details, date of birth, National Insurance number if you have one, bank or building society account number and sort code, your doctor or health worker's name, address and phone number, dates and addresses of any time in a care home or hospital, and dates of any time abroad for more than 4 weeks at a time.
3. Call the PIP new claims line on 0800 917 2222 (Relay UK: 18001 then 0800 917 2222), Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm. Or write a letter saying you want to start a PIP claim, with your name and address, to Freepost DWP PIP 1. You don't need a postcode or stamp.
4. Complete the form called 'How your disability affects you'. If you applied by phone you'll usually get an emailed link to do it online, and by post it usually arrives within 2 weeks. Return it within 1 month, with supporting documents such as prescription lists, care plans or information from your doctor.
5. Attend an assessment if the DWP needs more information.

In some areas you can make the full application online, which you check by entering your postcode at the start. If you need help on the call, you can ask for someone to be added to it, ask someone to call on your behalf while you're with them, or ask for a Welsh speaker. You may also be able to get a home visit from a DWP officer to help with your claim, so ask the adviser when you call.

What a PIP award can open up beyond the payment

This is the bit that often gets missed. GOV.UK lists extra help that comes with a PIP award, and some of it's easy to overlook:

• Mobility part: you might be eligible for a Blue Badge and a vehicle tax discount or exemption, and for a Motability Scheme vehicle if you get the higher mobility rate.
• Either part: you're eligible for a Disabled Persons Railcard.
• Your council: you may be able to get a discount on Council Tax and local bus travel, so contact your local council to check.
• Your carer: someone who helps care for you may be able to get Carer's Allowance or Carer's Credit.
• Other benefits: you may get a top-up called a disability premium if you get income-related Employment and Support Allowance or Housing Benefit.

If staying independent at home is part of your plan, my round-up of medical alert systems covers devices that can call for help at the press of a button.

Plain advice for a clear PIP claim

Describe your hardest days honestly, because GOV.UK says the DWP looks at whether you can do each task safely, how long it takes and whether you need help, most of the time. Use the GOV.UK Personal Independence Payment (PIP) guide to check the tasks, send supporting documents with your form, and don't miss the 1-month return window. Citizens Advice can help you fill in the form if you'd like a second pair of eyes.

Report any change in your condition or circumstances to the DWP straight away. And if money is tight while you wait for a decision, these money-saving tips can help stretch the budget a little further.

Frequently asked questions

How much is PIP a week?

As of Nov 2026, GOV.UK lists the daily living part at 76.70 pounds (lower) or 114.60 pounds (higher) a week, and the mobility part at 30.30 pounds (lower) or 80 pounds (higher) a week. You can get one part or both.

Is PIP means-tested?

No. GOV.UK says the amount you get isn't affected by your income or savings, and PIP is tax free.

Can I work and get PIP?

Yes. GOV.UK says you can get PIP even if you're working, have savings or are getting most other benefits.

How long have I got to return the PIP form?

You should return the 'How your disability affects you' form by post or complete it online within 1 month. Contact the PIP enquiry line if you need more time.

Can I claim PIP in Scotland?

No. In Scotland you apply for Adult Disability Payment (ADP) instead of PIP.

Can I make a new PIP claim over State Pension age?

Usually not. You can apply for Attendance Allowance instead, unless you got PIP or Adult Disability Payment in the last 12 months.