In October 2023, around 3 million people were successfully receiving PIP (Personal Independence Payment) across England and Wales. Despite this high number of successful claims, the majority of claims are not accepted as found by DWP statistics.. In fact, over half of new applications in the period of 2018-2023 were rejected. Find out more about PIP, what the assessment process involves, and how to appeal a PIP decision.

Jump to:

• Is PIP the same as DLA?
• When Does PIP Coverage End?
• What Illness Qualifies for PIP?
• What are the Main Points for PIP Assessment?
• PIP Rates
• How Can I Appeal a PIP Decision?
• Take a Self-Test
• Help & Support

Is PIP the Same as DLA?

PIP (Personal Independence Payment) is gradually replacing DLA (Disability Living Allowance). For those that were born before 9 April 1948, DLA can continue to be renewed without moving to PIP.

What Eligibility Criteria is there for PIP?

According to the UK government, you are eligible for PIP if all of the following apply to you:

• You are 16 or over

• You have a long-term physical or mental health condition or disability

• You struggle with doing certain everyday tasks or mobility

• These struggles are expected to last for at least 12 months from when they started

If you have not received PIP before, you must also be under the State Pension age. Otherwise, you can apply for Attendance Allowance. If you have received PIP before reaching State Pension age, you can start a new claim. 

Living Abroad

For PIP applications, you will usually need to have lived in England, Scotland or Wales for at least two of the last three years, and be living in one of those countries when you apply. However, you may still be able to apply for PIP if you live in the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein, or if you or a family member work in the Armed Forces and live abroad.

At What Age Does DLA Change to PIP?

Changing from DLA to PIP usually occurs when a DLA recipient reaches the age of 16. The only exception to this rule is if you are terminally ill. Importantly, you can also receive PIP if you are working or have savings. 

 

When Does PIP Coverage End?

There is no end date at which you will stop receiving PIP as long as the DWP thinks that your condition will never improve, or if you have reached State Pension Age. This will usually be reviewed every 10 years, unless you are terminally ill in which case PIP will be awarded for three years. If the DWP refuses to review your PIP claim and the coverage time runs out, you will have to start a new claim. We would recommend starting a new application up to six months before your old claim runs out, as the process can take a long time to complete. 

 

What Illness Qualifies for PIP?

There is no definitive list for conditions that qualify people for PIP, however there are 5 conditions that the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) have highlighted as the top reasons why people claim PIP. These include psychiatric disorders, musculoskeletal disease (general), musculoskeletal conditions (regional), neurological disorders, and respiratory diseases.

What Conditions are Not Considered a Disability?

Any illness or condition that is short-term and does not affect your ability to perform daily tasks and activities will not make you eligible for PIP. It is possible to apply for and claim PIP without a formal diagnosis. However, evidence will need to be provided to show how your condition affects you on a day-to-day basis.

 

What are the Main Points for PIP Assessment?

The points system for PIP assessment covers all aspects of daily life, and aims to assess how easy it is for the applicant to perform standard tasks. A health professional will examine your ability to perform a range of tasks, and will then consider whether your long-term health condition or disability limits these tasks in any way. The health professional will then write and submit a report for the DWP, that will then ultimately decide whether you are entitled to PIP. 

 

The assessment for PIP is split into two parts: a daily living component, and a mobility component. The main areas of concern for the daily living component look at:

• Preparing food

• Taking nutrition

• Managing therapy or monitoring a health condition

• Washing and bathing

• Managing toilet needs or incontinence

• Dressing and undressing

• Communicating verbally

• Reading and understanding signs, symbols and words

• Engaging with other people face to face

• Making budgeting decisions

 

Mobility will also be assessed, with the following criteria concerning:

• Planning and following journeys

• Moving around 

 

If the DWP determines your ability to carry out daily tasks to be severely limited by your disability or health condition, you will get an enhanced rate of PIP. Otherwise, you will receive the standard rate.

The Descriptors

To evaluate your ability to perform these everyday tasks, the assessor will measure your ability to carry out these tasks against a set of standard statements to describe what you can and can’t do. Each of these descriptors carries a score, which will give the assessor an idea of how your health condition affects these tasks. The score that you receive for each of the descriptors will also depend on your ability to perform these tasks reliably: 

 

• Without causing harm to you or anyone else

• To an adequate standard

• In a reasonable time period

• Repeated as required

 

Take a look at a table of activities, descriptors and points here.

Here is a guide to some of the language used in the activities and descriptors.

Using Aids During Assessment

When assessing your ability to perform daily tasks, the use of mobility or reasonable appliances will be factored in, which could help to increase your score. Irrespective of whether or not you would normally use such appliances, the fact that you would benefit from the use of certain aids can help you to score more points.

 

PIP Rates

Take a look at the table below for a list of the different rates for PIP that you could receive following an assessment:

It is also important to remember that you will not be charged tax on PIP claims. If you are terminally ill, you will automatically receive the enhanced rate of the daily living component. 

How Often is PIP Paid?

In general PIP is paid every four weeks. The exception to this is if you have a terminal illness, in which case PIP is paid every week.

 

How Can I Appeal a PIP Decision?

If you have asked the Department for Work and Pensions to look at your application again and their position has not changed, it is possible to appeal the decision to an independent tribunal. You can appeal a PIP decision if you are refused PIP, if the PIP was lower than expected, or if you think your PIP should last for longer.

 

You have one month from the date on your mandatory reconsideration notice to appeal to HM Courts and Tribunals Service (HMCTS).

 

You can start an appeal by either completing an online appeal form, or filling in an SSCS1 form and sending it to HMCTS.

 

Take a Self-Test

To see where you place yourself for the components of a PIP assessment, take a look at the PIP self-test on the Benefits and Work website. This self-evaluation will tell you what components you consider yourself as being eligible for, and will email you a copy of your test results.

Help and Support

The eligibility criteria for receiving PIP and other disability claims tends to vary over time. It is important to stay up-to-date with the latest guidelines, and use the official government website for the most accurate information. Find out more about Personal Independence Payment in our detailed blog.