PIP Benefits Guide UK 2026: Rates and How to Claim

What Is PIP?

Personal Independence Payment (PIP) is a tax-free welfare benefit paid by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to help working-age people with the extra costs of living with a long-term health condition or disability. PIP is not means-tested — your savings, income and employment status do not affect whether you qualify or how much you receive.

PIP replaced Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for most working-age claimants from 2013 onwards and has now been fully rolled out across Great Britain. There are two components — daily living and mobility — and each component has two rates. You can be awarded one or both components independently.

PIP is designed to reflect how your condition affects your daily life, not the condition itself. Two people with the same diagnosis may receive different awards depending on how their condition impacts their ability to carry out everyday activities.

PIP Rates 2025/26

The following rates apply from April 2025. PIP is uprated annually in April in line with inflation (CPI).

The maximum PIP award (enhanced daily living + enhanced mobility) is £184.30 per week — or £9,583.60 per year. PIP is paid every four weeks directly into your bank account.

Who Is Eligible for PIP?

To qualify for PIP you must meet all of the following conditions:

• Be aged 16 or over and under State Pension age at the time of claiming
• Have a physical or mental health condition or disability
• Have had difficulties with daily living or mobility activities for at least 3 months
• Expect those difficulties to last for at least 9 more months
• Be habitually resident in England, Scotland or Wales (specific rules apply to recent arrivals from abroad)

PIP is not means-tested. There are no limits on savings, income or whether you work. People in full-time employment can and do receive PIP. You can also claim PIP while receiving most other benefits.

How the PIP Points System Works

PIP uses a points-based assessment. A healthcare professional (called an assessor) or a DWP decision maker considers how you manage a series of activities. Each activity has descriptors worth different numbers of points. Your points are added up for each component separately.

Daily Living Activities (10 activities)

• Preparing food
• Eating and drinking
• Managing treatments
• Washing and bathing
• Managing toilet needs
• Dressing and undressing
• Communicating verbally
• Reading and understanding signs, symbols and words
• Engaging with other people face-to-face
• Making budgeting decisions

Mobility Activities (2 activities)

• Planning and following journeys
• Moving around

Points Thresholds

Each descriptor is scored 0, 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 or 12 points depending on the level of difficulty described. The highest scoring descriptor in each activity is used — you cannot add scores across descriptors for the same activity.

Importantly, "can do" means being able to do the activity safely, to an acceptable standard, repeatedly and in a reasonable time. If you cannot do an activity under these criteria, you may score points even if you can technically perform the task sometimes.

How to Claim PIP

1. Call the PIP new claims line: 0800 917 2222 (Monday–Friday, 8am–6pm). Textphone: 0800 917 7777. You will give some basic information and be sent the AR1 form.
2. Complete the AR1 form ("How your disability affects you"). You have one month from the date of the phone call. Take your time — this form determines your initial award.
3. Attend your assessment — this may be face-to-face at an assessment centre, by telephone or by video call. Some people receive a paper-based review instead.
4. Wait for the decision letter — DWP will send you an award notice explaining your score for each activity and your payment rate.
5. Payments begin from the date of your initial phone call, backdated if applicable.

Assessment Tips

• Describe your worst days, not your best. DWP asks you to describe how your condition affects you "on most days" — if bad days are more frequent than good ones, describe those.
• Be consistent. Your answers on the form should align with what you say at the assessment. Any inconsistency can be used against you.
• Mention all aids and adaptations. If you use a walking stick, grab rails, pill organiser or shower seat, mention them — they are evidence of need.
• Talk about pain and fatigue. If completing an activity causes pain, takes much longer than normal or leaves you exhausted, this counts towards your score.
• Bring someone to the assessment. A friend, family member or support worker can accompany you and take notes.
• Submit supporting evidence. Letters from your GP, consultant, occupational therapist or social worker all strengthen your case.
• Record the assessment (if in person). You can request to record your assessment — this is your right and protects you if there are errors in the report.

If Your Claim Is Refused — Mandatory Reconsideration

If your PIP claim is rejected or you receive a lower award than expected, you have the right to challenge the decision. You must follow the two-stage process:

Stage 1: Mandatory Reconsideration (MR)

You must request a mandatory reconsideration within one month of the date on the decision letter (though DWP may accept late requests with good reason). Write to DWP explaining which activities you disagree with and why. Always include new or additional evidence if possible. DWP will review the decision and send you an MR notice.

Stage 2: Appeal to Tribunal

If the MR is unsuccessful, you can appeal to the First-tier Tribunal (Social Entitlement Chamber). Appeals are heard by an independent panel. Statistics show that around 70% of PIP appeals are decided in the claimant's favour. You should seek advice from a welfare rights specialist before appealing.

PIP and Other Benefits

Receiving PIP can unlock additional financial support through a "gateway" effect:

• Universal Credit: A PIP daily living award can add the Limited Capability for Work and Work-Related Activity (LCWRA) element to your UC — currently an additional £416.19/month.
• Employment and Support Allowance (ESA): PIP is paid alongside new-style ESA for eligible claimants.
• Pension Credit: People of pension age who retained PIP before State Pension age can have it taken into account for Pension Credit.
• Free vehicle tax: Enhanced rate mobility component qualifies you for free vehicle tax (road tax).
• Blue Badge: Enhanced rate mobility component automatically qualifies you for a Blue Badge parking permit.
• Council tax reduction: PIP can be a qualifying benefit for local council tax support schemes.
• Carer's Allowance: If someone provides care for you, your PIP daily living award may allow them to claim Carer's Allowance.

PIP is entirely tax-free and does not count as income for tax assessment purposes. It does not reduce your other benefit entitlements.

The Motability Scheme

If you receive the enhanced rate of the mobility component of PIP, you can join the Motability scheme. The scheme allows you to exchange your mobility payment to lease:

• A brand-new car (including electric and hybrid vehicles)
• A powered wheelchair or scooter
• A WAV (wheelchair-accessible vehicle)

Your PIP mobility payment is made directly to Motability and covers the cost of the lease, insurance, servicing and breakdown cover. Some higher-specification vehicles require an advance payment ("Advance Payment") from you. Many cars are available with no advance payment at all.

The lease runs for three years, after which you return the vehicle and can choose a new one. Motability is one of the most valuable benefits of an enhanced mobility PIP award and is worth thousands of pounds in vehicle costs annually.

PIP vs DLA — Understanding the Difference

Disability Living Allowance (DLA) was the predecessor to PIP for working-age adults. The key differences are:

If you were born before 8 April 1948 and are already receiving DLA, you will not be transferred to PIP and can continue to receive DLA indefinitely. Children under 16 must claim DLA — they can be reassessed for PIP when they turn 16.

If you reach State Pension age, your existing PIP can continue, but you cannot make a new PIP claim after State Pension age. For new claimants above State Pension age, Attendance Allowance is the relevant benefit.

Frequently Asked Questions