People with long-term mental or physical health problems that make everyday tasks or getting around difficult can apply for financial assistance.
How much you receive and how long you get it for depends on the seriousness of your medical condition or disability and how severely it affects your life.
If you think you might be eligible for Personal Independence Payment, you will be assessed in two ways – daily living tasks and mobility. You might receive weekly payments for one or both depending on the outcome of your claim.
PIP is replacing the Disability Living Allowance, unless you are under 16 or were born on or before 8 April 1948.
It is tax free and is not affected by your income or savings, or most other benefits. We explain the rules, how to apply, and where you can turn for help below.
Applying for Personal Independence Payment: Getting started
The daily living and mobility parts of the The Personal Independence Payment are paid at standard or enhanced weekly rates. Payments are made every four weeks into a bank, building society or credit union account.
Source: Gov.uk
You can start your claim by phone or in writing, then you will be sent a form to complete. Online applications are being tested but are currently only allowed if you live in certain postcodes.
Phone 0800 917 2222 or find alternative PIP contact details here. If you need help you can have someone with you on the call, or they can call on your behalf as long as you are present at the time.
The Government advises having the following information ready when you call: contact details, date of birth, National Insurance number if you have one, bank or building society account number and sort code, doctor or health worker’s name and contact details, dates and addresses for care homes or hospitals you have spent time in, and dates for any periods you spent more than four weeks abroad and the countries visited.
Scotland has started introducing Adult Disability Payment instead of PIP, which will be rolled out by summer 2024. If you live in Northern Ireland, go to NI Direct.
If you are currently on Disability Living Allowance, then unless you are a child or over the cut-off age the Government will eventually write to you about receiving PIP instead.
Children reaching the age of 16 will not be moved onto PIP if they have 12 months or less to live or are in hospital.
How is PIP assessed?
When it comes to making a claim, you will be assessed on your ability to cope with daily living tasks and your mobility.
Examples of everyday living people might struggle with are making food and eating and drinking, managing medicines, using the toilet and bathroom, and dealing with money.
Mobility problems include working out a route and following it, moving around and leaving home. This can be as a result of mental or physical conditions.
The Government says it will assess whether you can do tasks safely, how long they take, how often you are affected and what help you require.
The disability equality charity Scope has useful tips on filling in a PIP form, and how best to present your information. It says: ‘For each activity, there is a list of PIP descriptors.
‘When you’re filling in the form, include the descriptor and always use the word “because” in your answer. Try to give examples of difficulties or accidents you’ve had when attempting the activity, or when you’ve needed help or used an aid.’
STEVE WEBB ANSWERS YOUR PENSION QUESTIONS
It adds: ‘Do not exaggerate but when providing examples, be prepared to describe your bad days.
‘What seems normal or easy to you might not be to others, especially if you’ve adapted because of your condition. Make sure you include everything you find difficult or impossible to do, even if it’s not every day. And explain why it’s difficult or impossible.’
What are other PIP eligibility rules?
To apply for PIP, you usually need to have been resident in Great Britain now and for at least two of the past three years.
There are exemptions if you live abroad and work in the armed forces or are a family member of someone who does, or if you have recently returned from an EU country, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein. There are separate rules for non-British citizens.
If you might have 12 months or less to live, there is a different claim and assessment process.
People already on PIP can carry on getting it after they reach state pension age. If you are over 66 and need to make a new claim, then unless you previously received DLA or PIP in the year before you reached state pension age, you need to apply for Attendance Allowance instead.
PIP decisions and how to challenge them
When you get a decision letter in response to your claim, if you are successful it should tell you when payments will start, which day of the week they will arrive (every four weeks), how long the PIP award is for, and when your claim will be reviewed unless it is indefinite.
Indefinite awards for serious conditions are still reviewed every 10 years.
The Government has information about PIP reviews here. You are expected to report any change of circumstance, such as with your personal details, condition or residence, on the PIP enquiry line 0800 121 4433.
If you are refused PIP or want to challenge a decision you can ask for a ‘mandatory reconsideration’.
You might want to enlist the help of a charity from the start, but especially if you get into difficulty with an initial claim or with a review.
An organisation most relevant to your medical condition or disability is a good starting point for information or help, or see the list below as some of them offer direct assistance with claims.
Where can you get help with a claim?
Here are some sources of help with Personal Independence Payment claims.
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