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Adults: Personal Independence Payment (PIP)

Adults: Personal Independence Payment (PIP)

Last updated: June 2026

People who have long term ill-health or disability costs, and live in England, Wales or Northern Ireland, can apply for a Personal Independence Payment or PIP.

This section tells you more about the system in England and Wales.

Follow this link if you live in Northern Ireland >

In Scotland people can apply for Adult Disability Payment >

Tab 4 below – Getting Ready – may still be helpful.

The amount of PIP someone gets depends on how their condition affects them, not the condition itself. It’s not means-tested. So it doesn’t matter how much income or savings people have. People can get it if they’re working or not working. If their claim is agreed, the letter they get tells them when it will be next reviewed.

PIP is usually paid every 4 weeks. It’s tax free.

If you’re new to this and going to apply, your application needs to give a detailed picture of your situation. It needs a lot of careful thinking and planning. The tabs below tell you more to help you get ready. 

In 2025, the government announced their intention to make changes to the rules for claiming PIP. These changes would mean fewer people will get PIP. The Timms Review > is consulting on these proposals.

You’re more likely to get PIP if you apply before the rules change.

You must:

  • have had difficulties with daily living or getting around, or both, for 3 months
  • expect these difficulties to continue for at least 9 months
  • have lived in England, Scotland or Wales for at least 2 of the last 3 years.

PIP is not available to new claimants who are over the upper age limit . That’s age 65 or State Pension age, whichever is higher, unless they:

  • had a previous claim to PIP or DLA which ended within the last 12 months, or
  • applied before that age, but that claim was not decided.

Tab 8. Attendance allowance > is for people over 65 who need help at home because of an illness or disability and who aren’t receiving PIP.

You will be assessed by a health professional. They will work out the level of help you can get.

If you have substantial caring needs, your partner could still get Tab 6. Carer’s Allowance > .

PIP claims are managed by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).

Go to:  Gov.UK / PIP / How to Claim >

The page clearly explains how to apply for PIP by phone, post or, in some areas, online. You will need to check your postcode when you start your application

You will need to fill in the ‘How Your Disability Affects You’ form. Use the notes that come with it to help you.

There’s a lot of really good advice on a number of websites about this so we haven’t repeated it. It’s well worth watching and reading them through and thinking carefully about what you want to say before you fill out your form:

Contact’s Benefits advisers from the children and family charity, Contact,  explain  how the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) assess 12 activities. The DWP uses this information to decide whether a disabled person gets Personal Independence Payment (PIP). The short videos include practical tips on how to complete the form.

Watch now >

Some Local Authorities have a Welfare Rights Service which can be very helpful. Check your Local Authority website.

If you’re having any difficulties or would like to discuss what you might say on your form get in touch with SMA UK >.

Once you have filled out your form, return it to the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP). The address is on the form. Make sure to keep a copy.

The DWP will try to do the assessment by looking at your medical evidence and talking to you over the phone or by video call. It’s important to send your medical evidence as soon as possible. If the DWP can’t assess you over the phone or by video call, they will invite you to a face-to-face medical assessment.

You will be asked questions about your ability to carry out activities and how your SMA affects your daily life.

The website links in Tab 4. Getting Ready’ tell you more about what to expect at an interview.

You will get a letter some time after this that will tell you if you will get PIP. If you do, you will be told how much you will get and the date it will be reviewed. This is so that you continue to get the right support.

If your application is turned down, you can appeal. This is called a Mandatory Reconsideration Request. Find out more:

If you’re having difficulties at any stage, get in touch with SMA UK’s Support Team >.

If you:

  • have questions we haven’t answered
  • need support

please get in touch >

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