PIP Guide 2026 — Personal Independence Payment Eligibility & Rates
Complete guide to Personal Independence Payment (PIP). Who qualifies, how much you'll get, how to apply, assessments, and what to do if your claim is refused.
Benefits information is based on current DWP and HMRC rules. Entitlements depend on your personal circumstances. For free personalised help, contact Citizens Advice or call the Universal Credit helpline on 0800 328 5644.
Contents
Personal Independence Payment (PIP) helps with extra costs of a long-term health condition or disability. Here’s everything you need to know about claiming.
Read more: See our PIP hub page for a complete overview — including condition-specific guides, assessment tips, and rates.
2026 welfare reform update: The government has proposed changes to PIP assessment criteria — including a “4-point rule” requiring claimants to score at least 4 points from a single daily living activity to qualify for the daily living component. These changes are subject to parliamentary scrutiny and may not apply to existing award holders. See our PIP changes 2026 guide for the latest position.
PIP is not about your diagnosis — it is about how your condition affects you. Two people with the same condition can receive very different awards depending on how severely their daily functioning is impacted. This is why the application process centres on describing your everyday difficulties in detail, rather than simply providing a diagnosis letter.
Basic Eligibility
Requirement
Detail
Age
16 to State Pension age
Condition
Long-term health condition or disability
Duration
Difficulties for 3+ months, expected 9+ more
Residence
Living in England, Wales, or Scotland
Presence
In UK for 2 of last 3 years
What PIP Is NOT Based On
Factor
Effect on PIP
Your income
No effect — not means-tested
Your savings
No effect
Working status
Can work and claim
Specific condition
Based on effects, not diagnosis
NI contributions
Not required
PIP is notably available to people who are working — there is no income or earnings test. If you are disabled or have a long-term health condition that affects daily living or mobility, you may be entitled regardless of whether you are in employment. See our guide on claiming PIP while working for more detail.
The points system sounds clinical but the assessors are trained to give you the opportunity to describe your situation. The key is to answer for your worst days — not your best. If your condition fluctuates, explain that, including what happens on a bad day. See our guide on PIP assessments for hidden and fluctuating conditions.
Points Needed
Award Level
8-11 points
Standard rate
12+ points
Enhanced rate
Daily living and mobility assessed separately — you can get different rates for each.
Understanding the Points
Example: Activity 4 - Washing and Bathing
Descriptor
Points
Can wash and bathe unaided
0
Needs aid or appliance
2
Needs supervision or prompting
2
Needs assistance to wash hair or body
2
Needs assistance to get in/out of bath
3
Cannot wash and bathe at all
8
Example: Activity 12 - Moving Around
Descriptor
Points
Can stand and move 200m unaided
0
Can stand and move 200m with aid
4
Can stand and move 50-200m
8
Can stand and move 20-50m
10
Can stand and move under 20m
12
Cannot stand or move at all
12
Key Assessment Principles
Principle
Meaning
Reliably
Can you do it to an acceptable standard?
Repeatedly
Can you do it as often as needed?
In reasonable time
Does it take much longer than normal?
Safely
Without risk of harm to yourself/others?
How to Apply
Step 1: Call to Start Claim
Contact
Detail
Phone
0800 917 2222
Textphone
0800 917 7777
Hours
Mon-Fri 8am-5pm
What happens
Basic details taken, form sent
Step 2: Complete PIP2 Form
Timing
Detail
Receive form
Within 2 weeks of call
Deadline
Return within 1 month
Extension
Call if need more time
Format
35+ pages
Step 3: Assessment
Type
When Used
Face-to-face
Most common
Telephone
Some cases
Video call
Increasingly common
Paper-based
Where evidence is clear
Step 4: Decision
Outcome
What Happens
Award made
Letter confirms rate and period
Refused
Can request Mandatory Reconsideration
Partial award
Consider challenging
Filling in the PIP2 Form
The PIP2 form is long and can feel overwhelming — but it is your main opportunity to tell the DWP exactly how your condition affects you. Take your time with it. If you need help, Citizens Advice offers form-filling support, and our PIP evidence requirements guide explains what medical documentation to include.
Tips for Each Section
Section
Guidance
About your health conditions
List all conditions, medications
Daily living activities
Describe worst days
Mobility activities
Give specific distances, times
Additional information
Any relevant details
What to Include
Evidence Type
Examples
Medical evidence
Letters from GP, consultants
Prescriptions
Current medication list
Care plans
Social services documents
Support letters
From carers, family
Assessments
OT reports, mental health
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Mistake
Better Approach
Only describing good days
Describe worst days
Saying “I can do it”
Explain how difficult it is
Not explaining variability
Describe good and bad days
Missing conditions
List mental AND physical
Empty boxes
Always explain, even briefly
The Assessment
Most PIP claims require a functional assessment — either face-to-face, by phone, or video call. In some cases (where evidence is strong) a paper-based assessment is used. Home assessments are available if you cannot travel; see our PIP home assessment guide.
Receiving PIP can act as a gateway to several other benefits and schemes. It is worth checking each of these once your PIP award is in place, as some are automatic (Blue Badge for enhanced mobility) and others require a separate application.
If you or someone you are claiming on behalf of has a terminal illness and is not expected to live beyond 12 months, a fast-track process applies. The DS1500 form (now SR1 in some areas) is completed by a doctor or specialist nurse. PIP is typically awarded at the enhanced daily living rate without a face-to-face assessment. For cancer-specific PIP claiming, see our PIP for cancer guide.