PIP: Who qualifies for PIP? How to claim PIP

PIP or Personal Independence Payment can be a lifeline for those with a long-term health condition or disability. The payment can help towards the costs of living with health concerns or disability, and the amount you get depends on how your condition affects you.

Who qualifies for PIP?

You can get Personal Independence Payments whether you are working or not.

You must be aged 16 or over and usually have not reached State Pension age to claim.

You must also have a health condition or disability where you:

  • have had difficulties with daily living or getting around (or both) for three months
  • expect these difficulties to continue for at least nine months

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Usually, claimants need to have lived in England, Scotland or Wales for at least two of the last three years.

You must also be living in one of these countries when you apply.

If you have recently returned from living in a Member Country of the European Economic Area (EEA), you may be able to get PIP sooner.

There are different rules for claiming if you are terminally ill, to see those visit the Government’s website here. 

Daily living difficulties

You may get the daily living portion of PIP if you need help more than half of the time with things like:

  • preparing or eating food
  • washing, bathing and using the toilet
  • dressing and undressing
  • reading and communicating
  • managing your medicines or treatments
  • making decisions about money
  • engaging with other people

Mobility difficulties

You may get the mobility portion of PIP if you need help leaving the house or moving around.

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How to claim PIP

You can make a new Personal Independence Payment (PIP) claim by calling the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).

Someone else can call on your behalf, but you’ll need to be with them when they call.

There are also other ways to claim if you find it difficult to use a telephone.

There is a different way to claim if you’re terminally ill, again visit the Government’s website here for more information.

Before you call, you’ll need:

  • your contact details, for example telephone number
  • your date of birth
  • your National Insurance number – this is on letters about tax, pensions and benefits
  • your bank or building society account number and sort code
  • your doctor or health worker’s name, address and telephone number
  • dates and addresses for any time you’ve spent abroad, in a care home or hospital

The phone numbers are

  • Telephone: 0800 917 2222
  • Textphone: 0800 917 7777
  • Relay UK (if you cannot hear or speak on the phone): 18001 then 0800 917 2222
  • Calling from abroad: +44 191 218 7766

The phone lines are open Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm – however, this may vary on Bank Holidays.

You can also claim by post, and to do this you will have to write a letter to ask for the form.

However, bear in mind choosing to claim PIP by post can delay the decision on your claim.

The address is to write to is

How much do you get on PIP?

Daily living part

The rate for the daily living part of PIP is either £59.70 or £89.15 per week.

Mobility part

The rate for the mobility part of PIP is either £23.60 or £62.25 per week.

Terminal illness

You’ll get the higher daily living part if you’re not expected to live more than six months. The rate of the mobility part depends on your needs.

How other benefits affect your PIP

If you get PIP and Constant Attendance Allowance, the ‘daily living’ part of your PIP will be reduced by the amount of Constant Attendance Allowance you get.

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