What PIP is and who can make a claim

Personal Independence Payment (PIP) is a monthly benefit paid by the UK government to people aged 16 to 64 who have a physical or mental health condition that affects their daily life or mobility. You do not need to be working or not working to claim — your employment status does not matter. What matters is whether your condition makes everyday tasks harder than they are for most people.

PIP has two parts: a daily living component and a mobility component. You might receive one, both, or neither, depending on how your condition affects you. The daily living component covers things like washing, dressing, eating, and managing medication. The mobility component covers walking, planning journeys, and moving around. Each component has two payment levels — standard and enhanced — and the amount you receive each month depends on which level you are awarded for each part.

You can claim PIP if you are a UK resident, have been here for at least two of the last three years, and expect your condition to last at least three months. If you are already receiving Disability Living Allowance (DLA) and are approaching your 16th birthday, you will be invited to claim PIP instead. If you are over 65, you cannot make a new PIP claim, though you can continue receiving it if you already get it.

Key Takeaways

  • PIP is a monthly payment for people aged 16 to 64 with a health condition affecting daily life or mobility, and you do not need to be working to claim.
  • The claim process starts with a phone call to the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), where you answer questions about how your condition affects you day to day.
  • After your phone call, you will receive a detailed form to complete; this form is the most important part of your claim because the assessor will use it to decide your award.
  • Most claims include a face-to-face assessment with a healthcare professional, though some are decided on paper alone if your condition is straightforward or you are nearing the end of your current award.
  • The entire process from phone call to decision typically takes 8 to 12 weeks, though it can be longer if the DWP needs more information from you or your doctor.

Starting your claim with a phone call to the DWP

To start a PIP claim, you must ring the DWP on 0800 917 2222. This is a free call. Have your National Insurance number ready, along with your date of birth and address. The call handler will ask you basic questions about your identity and then pass you to a claims officer who will ask detailed questions about how your condition affects you.

The claims officer will ask about specific daily activities: how you wash and dress, whether you can prepare a meal, how far you can walk, whether you need help with medication, and how your condition affects you on bad days as well as good days. Be honest and specific. Do not downplay your difficulties or assume the officer already knows what your condition means in practice. For example, instead of saying "I have arthritis", say "I cannot grip a toothbrush or button my shirt without pain, and on most mornings it takes me 20 minutes to get out of bed".

The call usually lasts 20 to 40 minutes. At the end, the claims officer will tell you that a form is on its way and explain what to do next. Write down the date you called and the name of the officer if they give it — you may need this reference later.

Completing the detailed claim form

Within a week or two of your phone call, you will receive a form called the PIP2 form. This is a long document with sections covering daily living and mobility. You must complete it and return it within four weeks, though you can ask for an extension if you need more time.

The form asks you to describe how your condition affects you in detail. There are boxes for each activity — eating, drinking, washing, dressing, managing medication, managing toilet needs, and so on — and you must explain what you can and cannot do. Again, be specific and honest. The form is not the place to be modest. If you need help with something, say so. If you can only do it with pain or extreme effort, say that too. The assessor will read this form before they see you, and it shapes what they focus on during the assessment.

You can ask your GP, a support worker, a family member, or anyone else who knows your condition well to help you fill in the form. Some people find it useful to keep a diary for a week or two before completing it, noting what they struggled with each day. You can also attach extra pages if the boxes are not big enough. Send the form back by post or, if you have been told you can, submit it online through your personal account on the gov.uk website.

What happens after you send the form back

Once the DWP receives your form, a case manager will review it and decide whether you need a face-to-face assessment. Most people do have an assessment, but some do not. You will not have an assessment if your condition is very straightforward, if you are renewing an award and your circumstances have not changed much, or if you are nearing the end of your current award and the DWP is gathering information for a renewal decision.

If you are having an assessment, the DWP will write to you with a date, time, and location. Assessments usually happen at a local assessment centre, though during periods when centres are closed, they may happen over the phone or by video call. The letter will tell you what to expect and how to let them know if you cannot make the appointment.

If you cannot attend on the date given, contact the DWP when ready — do not ignore the letter. You can ask for a different date, and you can ask for the assessment to happen at home if you have mobility problems or severe anxiety. You can also bring someone with you to the assessment: a family member, a friend, a support worker, or an advocate. Tell the DWP in advance if you are bringing someone.

The face-to-face assessment

The assessment is carried out by a healthcare professional — usually a nurse, physiotherapist, or occupational therapist — who works for a private company contracted by the DWP. They are not your doctor and do not have access to your medical records unless you have given permission. The assessment lasts 30 to 60 minutes.

The assessor will ask you to describe your condition and how it affects you, similar to the questions on the form. They may also ask you to do straightforward physical tasks — stand up, walk a few steps, touch your toes — to see what you can manage. They are not trying to trick you or catch you out. They are gathering evidence about what you can and cannot do on a typical day. If a task causes you pain or distress, tell them and stop. You do not have to do anything that makes you uncomfortable.

After the assessment, the assessor writes a report. This report goes to the DWP decision maker, who uses it along with your form and any medical evidence to decide your award. You will not see the assessor's report unless you ask for it later, but you can request a copy after the decision has been made.

How the DWP makes its decision

The DWP decision maker looks at all the evidence — your phone call notes, your form, the assessor's report, and any medical evidence you have provided — and decides which components you may have access to for and at what level. They use a points system: you need a certain number of points to may have access to for the standard rate of each component, and more points to may have access to for the enhanced rate.

The decision maker will write to you with their decision. The letter will explain which components you have been awarded, at what rate, and how much you will receive each month. If you disagree with the decision, you have one month to ask for a mandatory reconsideration. This means the DWP will look at the decision again. If you still disagree after that, you can appeal to an independent tribunal.

If your claim is approved, your payments will usually start within a few weeks. The DWP will tell you how you will receive the money — usually by bank transfer. PIP is normally paid every four weeks, and you will receive a payment schedule showing when each payment is due.

How long the process takes and what to do if it stalls

From the day you call to the day you receive a decision, the process typically takes 8 to 12 weeks. However, it can take longer if the DWP asks for more information, if your GP is slow to respond to a medical evidence request, or if there is a backlog at your assessment centre.

If you have not heard anything after 12 weeks, contact the DWP to check on progress. Have your National Insurance number ready. You can call 0800 917 2222 again or check your online account if you have one set up. If the DWP is waiting for medical evidence from your GP, you can contact your GP's office and ask them to send it urgently.

If you are in financial hardship while waiting for a decision, you can ask the DWP for an advance payment. This is a loan that you repay from your PIP payments once they start. You must have been waiting at least four weeks and be in genuine financial need. Call the DWP to ask about this.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Most people do, but not all. The DWP decides based on your form and circumstances. If your condition is very clear-cut or you are renewing an award with no change, you may not need one. If you are assessed and it is very difficult for you to travel or attend in person, you can ask for the assessment to happen at home or by phone or video instead.

What if I have a mental health condition — will the assessor understand?

The assessor is trained to assess all types of conditions, including mental health. However, mental health conditions can be harder to demonstrate in a short assessment. Make sure your form describes how your condition affects you in concrete terms: "I cannot leave the house without a panic attack" or "I forget to eat or take medication when I am depressed". Bring evidence if you have it — letters from your GP, a therapist, or support worker all help.

Can I work and still receive PIP?

Yes. PIP is not means-tested and does not depend on whether you work. You can work part-time, full-time, or not at all and still receive PIP. However, if you work, you must tell the DWP, as your earnings do not affect PIP but the DWP needs to know your circumstances.

What if I disagree with the decision?

You have one month from the date of the decision letter to ask for a mandatory reconsideration. Write to the DWP explaining why you disagree and provide any new evidence. If you are still unhappy after reconsideration, you can appeal to the First-tier Tribunal (Social Entitlement Chamber), which is independent of the DWP. You can get free help with an appeal from a local Citizens information or disability rights organisation.

How often do I have to renew my PIP award?

PIP awards are usually given for a fixed period — commonly three years, but sometimes longer or shorter depending on your condition. The DWP will write to you before your award ends to tell you whether you need to make a new claim or whether they will renew it based on updated information. You do not have to do anything unless the DWP asks you to.