Personal Independence Payment (PIP) eligibility: a guide to understanding and claiming PIP in 2025
Personal Independence Payment (PIP) provides vital financial support to many people in the UK who experience daily challenges as a result of a disability or a long term health condition. Before applying, it’s a good idea to understand the eligibility criteria and the application process, as this is often the first difficulty people encounter. This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you or your loved one needs to know about qualifying for PIP and what the application process involves.
It’s important to note, this guide provides general guidance about Personal Independence Payment eligibility as of 2025. Individual circumstances vary and readers should seek professional advice for their specific situation. Benefits rules can change, so always check the latest guidance from official sources.
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What is Personal Independence Payment?
Personal Independence Payment is a financial benefit designed to support people with the extra costs of living with a long term physical or mental health condition or disability.1 Unlike many other benefits, PIP isn’t means tested. This means the financial aid is assessed independent of a person’s income, savings or work status. It’s purely based on how the condition affects daily life.2
In 2013, PIP replaced the Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for working age adults, as it was an outdated approach that particularly lacked today’s current understanding of fluctuating health conditions and mental health.3 As this is a government funded scheme, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) manages Personal Independence Payment eligibility.
PIP provides financial support for many key aspects of daily living, grouped together in two different parts: daily living and mobility.4 Each are available at either a standard or enhanced rate depending on a person’s needs. As of 2025, the weekly rates are5:
Daily living part
- £72.65 (standard)
- £108.55 (enhanced)
Mobility part
- £28.70 (standard)
- £75.75 (enhanced)
We’ll discuss further on in this guide how either a standard or enhanced rate is determined. To learn more, Carers UK have put together this helpful video on Personal Independence Payment which explains what it is, how it helps and who may be eligible.
Who can claim PIP?
The criteria for Personal Independence Payment eligibility in the UK is surprisingly straightforward, though the assessment process itself can be complex. To qualify for Personal Independence Payment, a person must6:
Be aged 16 or over, but under State Pension age when they make a claim
If someone is already receiving PIP when they reach State Pension age, they can continue to receive it. However, if a person hasn’t claimed before reaching State Pension age, they’ll typically need to claim Attendance Allowance instead.
Have a long term health condition or disability
A condition must have lasted for a minimum of three months and be expected to last for at least nine months from a person’s claim date. A formal medical diagnosis isn’t necessary, just an understanding of how the condition affects their daily life.
Live in England, Scotland or Wales
The claimant must be present and settled in one of these countries. Different arrangements apply in Northern Ireland, where PIP is gradually being introduced.
Pass the residence and presence tests
Generally, the person must have been living in England, Scotland or Wales for at least two of the last three years and be present when they claim. There are exceptions for people returning from abroad for medical treatment and other specific circumstances.
Understanding the two parts of PIP
Personal Independence Payment is divided into two separate parts, each addressing different aspects of how your or your loved one’s condition affects daily life.7 An application can qualify for one or both parts. Each part has two payment rates for either the standard or enhanced financial support.
Daily living part
The daily living part focuses on a person’s ability to carry out essential daily activities. The assessment considers ten different activities:
- Preparing food – from planning meals to using cooking equipment safely
- Eating and drinking – how well someone can eat, drink, swallow and manage their nutritional needs
- Washing and bathing – personal hygiene and grooming
- Managing toilet needs or incontinence – including getting to and using toilet facilities
- Dressing and undressing – putting on, taking off and choosing appropriate clothing
- Communicating verbally – speaking, listening and understanding
- Reading and understanding signs, symbols and words – including large print or Braille
- Engaging with other people face to face – social interaction and relationships
- Making budgeting decisions – managing money and making purchasing decisions
Mobility part
The mobility part looks to examine your or your loved one’s ability to move around and navigate surroundings. This includes two key activities:
- Planning and following journeys – understanding where you’re going, following routes and dealing with unexpected changes
- Moving around – your physical ability to walk or move, considering distance, pain, breathlessness and the time it takes
Having a physical health condition is not necessary to receiving the mobility part of PIP. Someone may have a mental or cognitive health condition that affects their ability to move around, which could make them eligible for the mobility part.8
Common conditions that may qualify for PIP
Personal Independence Payment isn’t limited to visible physical disabilities. The DWP recognises a vast range of conditions in PIP application’s, including:
Physical conditions
Physical conditions
- Arthritis and joint problems
- Chronic pain conditions
- Neurological conditions like Multiple Sclerosis or Parkinson’s disease
- Heart and lung conditions
- Cancer and its treatment effects
- Chronic fatigue syndrome/ME
Mental health conditions
Mental health conditions
- Depression and anxiety disorders
- Bipolar disorder
- Schizophrenia and psychosis
- Post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD)
- Eating disorders
- Personality disorders
Learning difficulties and cognitive conditions
Learning difficulties and cognitive conditions
- Autism spectrum disorders
- ADHD
- Learning disabilities
- Dementia (for those under State Pension age)
- Brain injuries
Sensory impairments
Sensory impairments
- Visual impairments
- Hearing loss
It’s important to remember, having a diagnosis doesn’t automatically qualify someone for PIP, nor does lacking a formal diagnosis disqualify a person. What matters is how a condition affects your or your loved one’s ability to carry out everyday tasks and mobility activities.
The application process: step by step
The PIP application process can feel daunting at first but we’re here to make life easier and will break it down into manageable steps.
Step 1: Making an initial claim
Start by calling the PIP new claims line on 0800 917 2222 (textphone 0800 917 7777). The line is open Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm. During this call, the claimant will provide basic information about themself and their condition.
The DWP will send a follow up ‘How your disability affects you’ form (sometimes called the PIP2 form) within a week of the call. There is a one month window to complete and return this form, although don’t worry as it’s possible to request an extension if needed.
Step 2: Completing the PIP2 form
This form is really important as it’s the claimant’s opportunity to explain in detail how their condition affects their daily life. For each relevant activity, the following should be described:
- What the person can and cannot do
- Any aids or adaptations they use
- How long activities take them
- If they need support or physical help
- How their condition varies day to day
- Any risks or safety concerns
Top tips for completing the PIP2 form
- The claimant should describe their worst days, not their best
- Focus on how their condition affects them, not just the diagnosis
- Include examples and specific incidents
- Mention any aids, medication, or therapy used
- Ask someone to help if needed – don’t worry, this won’t affect the claim
Step 3: Providing supporting evidence
While medical evidence isn’t essential, it can strengthen a claim. Some examples of useful evidence includes:
- GP records and letters
- Hospital letters and reports
- Care plans
- Medication lists
- Letters from healthcare professionals
- Evidence from Carers or family members
Step 4: The assessment
Most PIP claimants are invited to a face to face assessment, although some may have a telephone assessment or paper based review. The assessment is conducted by a healthcare professional employed by Capita9 or ATOS, the companies contracted to carry out PIP assessments. The assessment typically lasts 60-90 minutes and covers a claimant’s:
- Daily living activities
- Mobility
- How the condition affects them
- Medical history and treatments
Preparing for the assessment the person should:
- Bring all relevant documents and evidence
- Take a friend or family member for support
- Dress comfortably and as they normally would
- Be honest about their difficulties
- Take regular medication as prescribed
- Arrive in plenty of time to avoid stress
Step 5: The decision
After the assessment, the healthcare professional writes a report recommending whether you or your loved one should receive PIP and at what rate. A DWP Personal Independence Payment eligibility decision maker then reviews this report alongside the application form and any other evidence to make the final decision.
The decision letter should be received within eight weeks of the assessment, explaining:
- Whether the claim has been successful
- Which part has been awarded and at what rate
- How long the financial aid will be provided for
- The right to ask for the decision to be reassessed
Understanding assessment descriptors
To give you or your loved one the best chance of a successful claim, it’s really important to understand how the assessment descriptors work. Each activity has specific descriptors that carry different point values.
Daily living activity examples
Preparing food (activity 1)
Preparing food (activity 1)
- Descriptor A (0 points): can prepare and cook a simple meal unaided
- Descriptor B (2 points): needs to use an aid or appliance to either prepare or cook a simple meal
- Descriptor C (2 points): cannot cook a simple meal using a conventional cooker but is able to using a microwave
- Descriptor D (4 points): needs prompting to be able to either prepare or cook a simple meal
- Descriptor E (6 points): needs supervision or assistance to either prepare or cook a simple meal
- Descriptor F (8 points): cannot prepare and cook food
Washing and bathing (activity 4)
Washing and bathing (activity 4)
- Descriptor A (0 points): can wash and bathe unaided
- Descriptor B (2 points): needs to use an aid or appliance to be able to wash or bathe
- Descriptor C (3 points): needs supervision or prompting to be able to wash or bathe
- Descriptor D (4 points): needs assistance to be able to wash either their hair or body below the waist
- Descriptor E (6 points): needs assistance to be able to get in or out of a bath or shower
- Descriptor F (8 points): cannot wash and bathe and needs another person to wash their entire body
Mobility activity examples
Planning and following journeys (activity 1)
Planning and following journeys (activity 1)
- Descriptor A (0 points): can plan and follow the route of a journey unaided
- Descriptor B (4 points): needs prompting to be able to undertake any journey to avoid overwhelming psychological distress
- Descriptor C (8 points): cannot plan the route of a journey
- Descriptor D (10 points): cannot follow the route of an unfamiliar journey without another person, assistance dog or orientation aid
- Descriptor E (12 points): cannot undertake any journey because it would cause overwhelming psychological distress
- Descriptor F (12 points): cannot follow the route of a familiar journey without another person, an assistance dog or an orientation aid
What to do if a claim is refused
Unfortunately, many initial PIP claims are refused, but this doesn’t mean the claimant isn’t eligible. If you or your loved one disagrees with the decision, there are two options:
Mandatory reconsideration
A mandatory reconsideration must be requested before an appeal. This can be done by asking the DWP to revisit their decision. The claimant has one month from the date of the decision letter to request this. Extensions can be asked for in exceptional circumstances.
When requesting mandatory reconsideration it’s worth preparing the following:
- An explanation of why the decision is being disputed
- A portfolio of any new evidence
- Any specifics about which descriptors are thought to apply or be reassessed
- References to the original assessment report if possible
Tribunal appeal
If mandatory reconsideration doesn’t change the decision in the claimant’s favour, it’s possible to appeal to an independent tribunal. There is a one month window from the mandatory reconsideration decision to appeal.
Tribunal hearings are less formal than court proceedings. The claimant can:
- Represent themselves or have someone represent them
- Bring witnesses
- Submit additional evidence
- Ask for an oral hearing or paper hearing
Tips for a successful PIP application
- Focus on the worst days
It’s best not to describe how tasks are managed on the good days. The assessment should be honest and representative of the realities of living with a health condition or disability, including the bad days, flare ups and times of struggle. - Consider the 50% rule
If the claimant hasn’t been able to do an activity safely at a good standard or in a reasonable time for at least half the year, the assessor should qualify points for that activity. - Don’t minimise difficulties
Many people with long term conditions have learned to adapt and cope, sometimes without realising how much extra effort they’re putting in. It’s important not to downplay the struggles or the impact the condition has on daily life. - Include fluctuating conditions
If a condition varies day to day, be sure to mention this. Describe both the good days and bad days, but ensure the assessment reflects the overall situation. - Consider cognitive and mental health effects
Physical conditions often have cognitive and mental health impacts that can affect activities like planning journeys, engaging with others, or making decisions. Don’t forget to mention these. - Be specific about aids and adaptations
Any walking sticks, grab rails, special cutlery, or any other aids, should also be included as these can indicate the level of difficulty experienced with certain activities.
Recent changes and updates to PIP
In recent times, several important changes have come into effect which has impacted PIP eligibility and claims:
Assessment process improvements
The DWP has provided new guidance to healthcare professionals conducting the assessments. The guidance features a greater emphasis on understanding fluctuating conditions and the overall effect of multiple conditions.
Digital services enhancement
New online services have been introduced to make the application process more accessible, though telephone and postal applications remain available for those who need them.
Mental health recognition
There’s increased recognition of mental health conditions in the assessment process, with better training for assessors on conditions like anxiety, depression and PTSD.
Evidence requirements
The DWP has clarified that formal medical evidence isn’t essential for a successful claim. There is now a greater emphasis on how conditions affect daily life rather than medical diagnoses.
Supporting someone through the PIP process
If you’re helping a family member, friend or client through the PIP application process, your support can make a significant difference:
Practical support
- Helping with form completion
- Accompanying them to assessments
- Gathering supporting evidence
- Taking notes during phone calls with the DWP
Emotional support
- The PIP application process can be stressful and degrading for many people, it’s therefore important you remind them that they deserve support
- Help them focus on their genuine difficulties rather than minimising them
Advocacy
- You can speak on their behalf with their permission
- Help them understand their rights
- Support them through appeals if necessary
Financial planning and PIP
Receiving PIP can have broader financial implications:
Other benefits
PIP can act as a gateway to other benefits like Severe Disability Premium or enhanced rates of other benefits.
Council tax
People receiving PIP may be eligible for discounts on Council Tax.
Travel concessions
Enhanced rate mobility component may entitle you to travel concessions and parking benefits.
Carer’s allowance
If someone cares for a claimant and they receive the daily living part at either a standard or enhanced rate, the Carer may be able to claim Carer’s Allowance.
Supporting mental health during the process
The PIP application and assessment process can be emotionally challenging. It’s really important to look out for yourself and your loved one’s during the process. Here are some wellbeing review points that are worth considering:
- Reach out for support from friends, family or professional services
- Remember that asking for help isn’t giving up, but an important part of self care
- Focus on the fact that PIP is designed to help and support people with ongoing health conditions
- Take breaks from the process when needed
- Celebrate small victories along the way
Moving forward: life with PIP
If a claim is successful, remember that PIP is designed to help with the extra costs that certain disabilities and health conditions bring. There’s no restriction on how it’s spent, whether on transport, care, equipment or simply making life a bit easier.
PIP aid will be reviewed periodically. This may be after one, two, five or ten years or it could be ongoing. Don’t worry about reviews; they’re routine and provide an opportunity to update the DWP about any health changes.
Paying for Home Care
PIP can be used to contribute towards the cost of Home Care where professional Carers provide the care and support needed to continue to live at home. Home Care is a type of support where a Carer either visits the home at agreed times or moves into the home – this is called Live-in Care.
At Alina Homecare, care can be arranged both during the day and overnight, as part of a Waking Nights or Sleeping Nights service. Our care is award winning and all our services are fully regulated by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) to ensure quality, reliable support is provided.
Care at Home can help with a whole range of tasks! First, our local Team meets with you and your loved one at the home to assess your needs and will then create a personalised care plan which details the care and costs involved. With your agreement, our Care Team can then deliver care services to make life easier, such as preparing meals, helping dress for the day or support with attending appointments.
Complete our Home Care Costs Calculator to learn more.
Personal Independence Payment eligibility doesn’t depend on having the “right” condition or being “disabled enough”. It’s about recognising that living with a long term health condition or disability brings extra costs and challenges that shouldn’t be faced alone.
If you’re reading this and wondering whether you or your loved one might qualify, consider making that phone call. The worst that can happen is you’re told you don’t qualify, however it could be discovered that support is available which could genuinely improve your quality of life.
It’s important to make clear, this is not asking for charity. PIP is a recognition that society has a responsibility to support vulnerable people. If you or someone you know is living with a long term condition that affects their daily life, they may well be entitled to that support.
The journey through the PIP system isn’t always easy, but with the right information, support and preparation, it can be navigated successfully. Don’t let the complexity of the system be off putting, help is available and can be accessed.
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References
1. GOV.UK, “Personal Independence Payment (PIP)“, Reviewed 12 December 2025
2. NHS, “Benefits if you’re under State Pension age“, Reviewed 12 December 2025
3. GOV.UK, “Personal Independence Payment rolls out to existing claimants“, Reviewed 12 December 2025
4. GOV.UK, “PIP assessment guide part 1: the assessment process“, Reviewed 12 December 2025
5. GOV.UK, “Personal Independence Payment (PIP): How much you’ll get“, Reviewed 12 December 2025
6. Carers UK, “Personal Independence Payment (PIP)“, Reviewed 12 December 2025
7. Citizens Advice, “Check if you’re eligible for PIP“, Reviewed 12 December 2025
8. GOV.UK, “Personal Independence Payment (PIP)“, Reviewed 12 December 2025
9. Capita, “About Personal Independence Payment (PIP)“, Reviewed 12 December 2025
10. GOV explained, “PIP Assessment and Points System“, Reviewed 12 December 2025