Personal Independence Payment (PIP) is a UK benefit designed to help individuals with long-term physical or mental health conditions or disabilities manage extra living costs. If you find everyday tasks or getting around more challenging due to your health, PIP could provide financial support.
Importantly, you can receive PIP whether you’re employed, have savings, or are already claiming most other benefits. This benefit aims to support individuals in living more independent lives despite their health conditions.
How PIP Works: Daily Living and Mobility Components
PIP is structured into two parts, focusing on different aspects of daily life:
Daily Living Part
This component is for individuals who need assistance with everyday tasks. You might be eligible for the daily living part of PIP if you require help with:
- Preparing food: This could include tasks from cooking meals to simply preparing a snack.
- Eating and drinking: If you need assistance with feeding yourself or drinking.
- Managing your medicines or treatments: This covers tasks like remembering to take medication or managing complex treatment plans.
- Washing and bathing: If you need help showering, bathing, or washing.
- Using the toilet: Assistance with using the toilet and managing continence needs.
- Dressing and undressing: If you struggle with getting dressed or undressed.
- Reading: If your condition affects your ability to read.
- Managing your money: Help with budgeting and handling finances.
- Socialising and being around other people: If anxiety or other conditions make social interaction difficult.
- Talking, listening, and understanding: If you have communication difficulties.
Mobility Part
The mobility part of PIP is for those who need help with getting around. You may qualify for the mobility component if you need assistance with:
- Working out a route and following it: If you struggle with navigation and planning journeys.
- Physically moving around: Difficulties with walking, using mobility aids, or moving from place to place.
- Leaving your home: If you experience anxiety or other conditions that make leaving home challenging.
It’s important to note that you don’t need to have a physical disability to qualify for the mobility part. Conditions affecting cognitive functions or mental health, such as anxiety, can also make you eligible.
Who is Eligible for PIP?
To be eligible for PIP, you need to meet the following criteria:
- Long-term condition: You must have a long-term physical or mental health condition or disability.
- Difficulties with daily living or mobility: Your condition must cause difficulties with certain everyday tasks or getting around.
PIP is designed to support individuals regardless of their financial situation or employment status. You can still claim PIP if you are working, have savings, or are already receiving most other benefits.
How is Difficulty Assessed for PIP?
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is responsible for assessing how your condition affects your daily living and mobility. When assessing your needs, they consider several factors for each task:
- Safety: Can you perform the task safely?
- Time: How long does it take you to complete the task?
- Frequency: How often does your condition impact your ability to perform the task?
- Help needed: Do you require assistance from another person or need to use special equipment to complete the task?
If you have substantial caring needs, your carer might be eligible for Carer’s Allowance.
PIP and Scotland: Adult Disability Payment (ADP)
If you reside in Scotland, it’s important to know that you need to apply for Adult Disability Payment (ADP) instead of PIP. ADP is the Scottish equivalent of PIP.
If you are currently receiving PIP and live in Scotland, you will be automatically transferred to ADP by Spring 2025. You will receive notifications from both DWP and Social Security Scotland when this transfer process begins. More information about the transition can be found at https://www.mygov.scot/personal-independence-payment-is-moving.
Moving Between Scotland and England/Wales
If you are receiving ADP and relocate from Scotland to England or Wales, your ADP payments will stop 13 weeks after your move. To continue receiving support, you must make a new claim for PIP as soon as possible after moving. Delays in applying for PIP could affect your payments.
PIP and Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
Disability Living Allowance (DLA) is being replaced by PIP for most adults. You will continue to receive DLA if you are under 16 or were born on or before 8 April 1948.
If you were born after 8 April 1948, the DWP will contact you when it’s time to apply for PIP. Unless your circumstances change, you do not need to take any action until the DWP writes to you about your DLA.
For further assistance with understanding PIP or the application process, you can seek help from organisations that specialise in disability benefits advice.
