DLA to PIP Transition Guide UK — What to Expect

Transitioning from DLA to PIP can be stressful. Here’s what to expect and how to prepare.

Understanding the Transition

Why the Change

DLA (Old System)	PIP (Current System)
Based on medical evidence	Assessment of daily living
Largely self-reported	Face-to-face or phone assessment
Three care rates	Two components
Two mobility rates	Two rates each

Who Has to Transfer

Situation	What Happens
Working age (16-64)	Must transfer when invited
Reached State Pension age	May stay on DLA
On DLA before April 2013	May stay if over SPA
Child DLA	Must claim PIP at 16

The Transfer Process

How It Happens

Stage	What Happens
1	DWP sends letter inviting PIP claim
2	28 days to claim PIP
3	Complete PIP claim form
4	Assessment (phone/face-to-face)
5	Decision letter
6	DLA stops 28 days after PIP decision

Timeline

Step	Timescale
Letter to deadline	28 days to claim
Form to assessment	Several weeks
Assessment to decision	4-8 weeks typically
DLA continues until	28 days post PIP decision

PIP vs DLA Rates

Comparison

DLA Care Component	Weekly Rate
Lowest	£28.70
Middle	£72.65
Highest	£108.55

DLA Mobility Component	Weekly Rate
Lower	£28.70
Higher	£75.75

PIP Daily Living	Weekly Rate
Standard	£72.65
Enhanced	£108.55

PIP Mobility	Weekly Rate
Standard	£28.70
Enhanced	£75.75

Key Difference

DLA	PIP
3 care rates	2 daily living rates
Some lose middle	That “middle” level gone
Point-based	Specific descriptors

PIP Assessment Criteria

Daily Living Activities

Activity	Points Available
Preparing food	0-8
Taking nutrition	0-10
Managing therapy	0-8
Washing and bathing	0-8
Using toilet	0-8
Dressing/undressing	0-8
Communicating	0-12
Reading	0-12
Engaging with others	0-8
Budgeting	0-6

Mobility Activities

Activity	Points Available
Planning/following journey	0-12
Moving around	0-12

Points Needed

Points	Award
8-11 Daily Living	Standard Daily Living
12+ Daily Living	Enhanced Daily Living
8-11 Mobility	Standard Mobility
12+ Mobility	Enhanced Mobility

Preparing for Assessment

Gathering Evidence

Evidence Type	Examples
Medical records	GP notes, consultants
Care records	Carers’ logs
Professional letters	OT, physiotherapy etc
Your diary	Daily difficulties

What to Include in Claim

Include	Why
Worst days	Not best days
All conditions	Every health issue
All medications	Side effects too
Support needed	Even if not getting it

Descriptors to Cover

Think About	Examples
Prompting needed	Reminders to do things
Time taken	Longer than normal
Pain/fatigue after	Affects you
Safety	Risk if done alone
Variability	Good and bad days

The Assessment

What to Expect

Aspect	Detail
Format	Phone or face-to-face
Duration	60-90 minutes typically
Questions	About daily life
Observation	Assessor notes appearance/movement

Tips for Assessment

Do	Don’t
Be honest	Minimise difficulties
Describe worst days	Say “I manage”
Give examples	Be vague
Say if unsure	Guess
Ask for breaks	Push through exhaustion

Companion

You Can
Bring someone	For support
They can prompt	You to remember
Take notes	Of what’s asked
Ask for it	To be recorded

After the Decision

If You Get PIP

Situation	What Happens
PIP awarded	DLA stops 28 days after
Similar or more	Great outcome
Less than DLA	Consider challenging

If PIP Rejected

Step	Deadline
Mandatory Reconsideration	Within 1 month
MR response	Usually 2-4 weeks
Tribunal appeal	Within 1 month of MR
Tribunal hearing	Several months wait

Success Rates

Stage	Success Rate
Mandatory Reconsideration	~15-20%
Tribunal	~60-70%
Worth appealing	If genuine need

Protecting Your Income

During Transition

Protection	Period
DLA continues	Until PIP decided
28-day overlap	After PIP decision
No gap	If timed right

If Losing Benefit

Check	Entitlement
Universal Credit	May get more
Council Tax Support	May increase
Carers benefits	Your carer may be affected
Blue Badge	Separate application

Getting Help

Free Advice

Organisation	Service
Citizens Advice	Full support available
Disability Rights UK	Specialist advice
Welfare Rights	Through council
DIAL	Disability advice

Help with Form

Who	Service
Citizens Advice	Form filling help
Local welfare rights	Appointments
Disability charities	Condition-specific

Tribunal Representation

Provider	Support
Citizens Advice	Can attend tribunal
Welfare rights	Representation
Some charities	Condition-specific support

Special Situations

Child to Adult

At Age 16
DLA stops	At 16
Must claim PIP	In own right
Different assessment	Adult criteria
Plan ahead	Apply before 16th birthday

Terminal Illness

If Terminal
Special rules	Fast-track
DS1500 form	From doctor
Quick decision	Days not weeks
Enhanced rates	Usually

Summary

Key Points

Fact	Detail
Transfer compulsory	If working age
DLA continues	Until PIP decided
Assessment	Point-based system
Appeal rights	Use them if needed

Preparation Checklist

Action	Done?
Gather medical evidence	☐
List all conditions	☐
Think about daily activities	☐
Describe worst days	☐
Get support for assessment	☐
Know appeal rights	☐

Timeline to Know

Event	Deadline
Invited to claim	28 days to apply
Assessment booked	Try to attend
Decision received	DLA continues 28 more days
Disagree	MR within 1 month
MR rejected	Tribunal within 1 month