How to Apply for PIP and Maximise the Benefits in the UK

Personal Independence Payment (PIP) is a benefit that can make a huge difference to people living with a disability or long-term health condition. It helps cover extra costs you may face in daily life, giving you greater independence and easing financial pressures.

This guide is here to make the PIP application process simple and stress-free. From understanding what PIP is, to successfully applying, to making the most of your award, we’ll take you through each step in plain English. Plus, we’ll cover what to do if your application is delayed or rejected, and how to claim other benefits alongside PIP.

What is PIP and Who is Eligible?
Understanding the Components of PIP
What is the Difference Between the Standard Rate and Enhanced Rate of PIP?
How to Apply for PIP
How to get a PIP Claim Form
How to Complete a PIP Claim Form
What Happens After You Submit Your PIP Claim?
How Long does a PIP Decision Take?
How Long to Wait for a PIP Award Letter?
How Much PIP will I Receive?
How to Appeal if Your PIP Claim was Rejected
How Long does a PIP Review Decision Take?
What Other Benefits can I Claim with PIP?
Conclusion
Frequently Asked Questions

What is PIP and Who is Eligible?

PIP (Personal Independence Payment is a disability benefit payment) can help improve your quality of life and help ease the financial burden that comes with being disabled. PIP has nothing to do with whether you are working or not, this is a benefit payment to help cover the extra costs that come from living with a disability.

If you are over 16, you can apply for PIP if you have:

A physical or mental health condition or disability
Difficulties carrying out everyday tasks (like cooking or washing) or moving around
Expect these difficulties to last for for longer than 12 months
Are under State Pension age (you may receive PIP past this age if you were awarded it earlier)

You can also apply for PIP if you have a terminal illness, there are guidelines to help you understand the specific process for this as the eligibility criteria and the process is different.

Citizen Advice Guide: to applying for PIP if you have a terminal illness

Citizen Advice Guide: for receiving PIP if you are over state pension age

Did you know that PIP is not means tested? You can work full time and earn a salary without it impacting your PIP disability benefit claim.
Georgina’s Top Disability Savings Tips

Before you start you can use a PIP self-test from the Benefits and Money website to see if you are eligible for claiming PIP. They also have helpful guides for those with specific conditions like ADHD and Long Covid.

The advice in this article is for England and Wales.

If you live in Scotland you will need to apply for Adult Disability Payment or Child Disability Payment. Find out more about Scottish Disability Living Payments for Adults and Scottish Disability Living Payments for Children.

If you live in Northern Ireland and wish to apply for PIP benefit, you will need to follow their process, Find out more information on how to apply for Personal Independence Payment in Northern Ireland.

Understanding the Components of PIP

Personal Independence Payment (PIP) is split into two different section and when you apply for PIP you will be asked to complete a form that covers each section. This will then determine how much help you require for example some people may have difficulties managing tasks like finances or communicating with others but have no difficulties in moving around.

What is the Daily Living Component of PIP?

The daily living component of PIP is to help individuals who need assistance with everyday tasks. It focuses on the ability to living independently and it assesses things like:

Cooking and preparing food to eat
Washing, bathing and grooming
Managing finances
Communicating with others
Managing medications and treatments
Using the toilet

What is the Mobility Component of PIP?

The mobility component of PIP is to help individuals who have difficulties getting around due to a physical or mental health condition, it assesses things like:

Ability to physically move around based on walking difficulties, pain and other physical challenges that a person might face
Ability to plan and follow journeys based on being able to understand directions or anxiety that comes from travelling alone

The PIP assessment form is divided into each section and there will be a number of questions that you will need to answer based on tasks that fall under either mobility difficulties or daily living difficulties. The assessor will then give you a total score for each component based on your answers and their assessment of you when you meet them either in person or over the phone.

What is the Difference Between the Standard Rate and Enhanced Rate of PIP?

Based on the result of your assessment form and the the assessor’s decision you will receive a total score for the mobility component and daily living component. This will then determine whether you receive the standard rate of PIP or the enhanced rate of PIP for each component.

The standard rate of PIP is for people who require some support for the component and the enhanced rate is for those who require significant or constant support. The rate you receive depends on the score you get for each component:

Standard Rate of PIP: awarded when you score between 8-11 points for either or both components
Enhanced Rate of PIP: awarded when you score over 12 points for either or both components

Two people sat, one is holding a pen and filling in paperwork

How to Apply for PIP

If you’re wondering how do I apply for PIP or how do I apply for PIP benefits, the process is straightforward but requires careful documentation of your health needs.

Remember the purpose of PIP benefit payments is to help you with the additional costs that come from being disabled, this has nothing to do with whether you work or not, whether you have a high or low income etc it is purely based on how your disability impacts your day to day life and the extra support you need to live as independently as possible.

No one chooses to be disabled, and I guarantee everyone of us would rather be free from our disability and give up our disability benefit payments. However, the fact is, that it’s expensive being living with a disability whether that’s physical or mental and this money is to help make life a little easier. You should not feel bad for claiming personal independence payment.

Here’s our Purpl guide to claim PIP benefit.

Before you start your PIP benefit payment claim make sure you have everything you require.

You will need to provide the following information to apply for PIP:

your contact details, e.g. telephone number / address
your date of birth
your National Insurance number, if you have one (you can find this on letters about tax, pensions and benefits)
your bank or building society details: account number and sort code
your doctor or consultant’s name, address and telephone number
dates and addresses for any time you’ve spent in hospital or a care home
dates for any time you spent abroad for more than 4 weeks at a time and the countries you visited

How to Get a PIP Claim Form

Below are details on how to obtain the PIP claim form, if you need help with this process there are organisations and individuals out there who can help you. For example you can contact Citizen Advice who can assist you with completing the form, Turn2Us

Phone the New PIP Claims Line:
To start your PIP claim you will need to phone the ‘PIP new claims’ phone line and arrange to have the PIP Claims form sent to you, this form will ask you to provide information about your long-term health condition or disability.
- You can ask someone else to phone the PIP claim line on your behalf but you will need to be there with them.
- Call the PIP new claims telephone number on 0800 917 2222
  To claim for PIP by Textphone dial 0800 917 7777
- If you cannot hear or speak on the phone then you can use Relay UK 18001 then 0800 917 2222 or if you can use the British Sign Language video relay service if you are on a computer.
- To phone the PIP claim line from abroad please call: +44 191 218 7766
- The PIP Claims phone line is open Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm – charges may apply.
Claim for PIP by Post – please note claiming for PIP by post will take longer to get a decision
- Send a letter to the DWP Personal Independence Payment department using their Freepost address
  - Address your envelope with Freepost DWP PIP 1
  - Do not write anything else on the envelope and you do not need to add a postcode or a stamp.
- You will then be sent a form asking for your personal information, such as your address and your age.
  - Complete and return the form
- You will be sent a form which asks about your disability or condition.
  - Complete the form and return with your evidence

How to Complete a PIP Claim Form

The DWP will send you the initial PIP claim form called PIP2 – How Your Disability Affects You. This form asks you to provide detailed information about how your condition or disability affects your daily life.

You typically get one month to complete the form, if you need extra time you can contact the DWP for an extension.

You will need to complete the form and provide as much information as you can for each question. These answers need to explain your health challenges and how they impact your daily life and routine. Be sure to include as much medical evidence as you can – such as letters from your doctor and consultants.

Tips for Completing the PIP Claim Form ‘How Your Disability Affects You’

Read the Form Carefully: Answer each question in detail, there are 15 sections to complete. These questions range from how your disability impacts your ability to prepare and eat food through to managing your finances and getting out and about.

Take your time and read the form carefully, the more detail you provide the better. Be honest and realistic, remember you will be assessed in the next stage of the process.
Georgina’s Top Disability Savings Tip

Be Honest and Realistic: Don’t underplay your disability, think about your worse days and then use that to answer each section on the form. You can’t go back and change your answers so it is best to really think about how your day to day life is impacted by your disability.

Use Examples: For each activity give an example of what you find difficult, how long it takes you and whether you use any aids. For example; it might take you longer than an able bodied person to get ready in the morning, this might be because you have to sit down as you can’t lift your legs and you have balance issues.

Include Medical Evidence: Make sure to include copies of your doctor, consultant and/or therapist letters to backup your claim. This will help make the process smoother.

There is lots of advice available to help you complete the form, one of the best sources of advice is the Citizen Advice, they also a video on YouTube for how to fill in your claim form so definitely worth watching.

Once you have completed your claim form you will need to send it back to the DWP. If you were sent the form online there will be details on how to submit the completed form. If you were sent a hardcopy you will need to post it back to them before the deadline. You should have received an envelope to return the form but if you didn’t you can contact the DWP.

I highly recommend taking copies of your completed form and any evidence you have sent with it. This will remind you of what you wrote on the form but also if your claim form gets lost you will still have the details you provided as some people may struggle to remember what they wrote especially if they have a condition that varies day to day.
Georgina’s Top Disability Savings Tips

What Happens After You Submit Your PIP Claim Form?

In most cases you will be invited for a PIP Assessment to discuss your condition in more detail. This assessment might be conducted in person, over the phone, or via a video call.

What is a PIP Assessment?

The PIP Assessment is carried out by a health professional who works for the DWP. This typically takes places at an assessment centre however they can also be done via a telephone call or a home visit.

If you receive a letter to attend in person and this is not accessible for you or suitable due to other factors then you can contact the number on the letter to find an alternative arrangement.

What to Expect During Your PIP Assessment

The purpose of the assessment is to go through your claim form and talk about how your life is impacted by your disability. This is why taking copies of your claim form are important as there may be time between sending your form back and getting an assessment date.

Let the Assessment Centre know if:

If you are going to be late, or cannot attend your assessment please ensure you contact the assessment centre and let them know as soon as possible so that it can be re-arranged.
If you need any specific adjustments to help you at the assessment e.g. a signer, specific time of day, time for breaks.

You may take someone with you to accompany you for your in person assessment. They can write notes for you and can remind you on how your disability impacts you. For example; your partner might see thing that you don’t see or consider a difficulty and highlight them during the assessment.

The PIP Assessment normally takes up to an hour.

How Long does a PIP Decision Take?

After your assessment you will receive a decision on your PIP claim. The DWP will assess your application and decide whether you qualify for PIP and how much you will receive.

It’s important to understand that the process for applying for PIP benefit requires patience. It is not a quick process and can take months. The good news is that you will be paid backdated to when your claims form was first received.

It typically takes around 8 weeks to get a decision but sometimes it may take longer due to factors like:

Claim Complexity: If your claim involves multiple health conditions or your health condition is complicated, it may take a little longer to reach a decision.
Medical Evidence: If the quality or amount of medical evidence you provided can also impact the wait time. Providing clear, detailed and accurate evidence can help avoid delays.
Additional Information Required: If the DWP requires more information or if you requested a mandatory reconsideration, a decision make take longer.

Don’t be afraid to contact the DWP if you have been waiting longer than 8 weeks.
Georgina’s Top Disability Savings Tips

How Long to Wait for a PIP Award Letter?

If you have provided a mobile telephone number the DWP will keep you informed of your claim process. You will receive a text message when a decision has been made and your PIP Award Letter should arrive within two weeks. Please note you cannot join Purpl with a text a message, you will need to wait for your Award Letter to arrive.

Once you have been awarded your PIP disability benefit you will receive a PIP Award Letter which will tell you how much PIP payment you will receive and the period of your award. You can use this letter to apply for other benefits including joining Purpl Disabled Discounts. For more information on benefits and freebies you can receive please read our article on PIP Discounts and Freebies

How Much PIP will I Receive?

The amount you receive in PIP disability payments will depend on which components you qualify for and whether you will receive the standard or enhanced rate.

PIP payments are paid every four weeks, the 2024/5 rates are:

Daily Living Component:
- Standard Rate: £72.65 per week
- Enhanced Rate: £108.55 per week
Mobility Component:
- Standard Rate: £28.70 per week
- Enhanced Rate: £75.75 per week

Therefore, how much PIP benefit you will receive each month depends on your individual assessment, which determines if you are eligible for one or both components and at which rate. The payments can help cover costs associated with your condition.

two men sat outside, one is completing some paperwork

How to Appeal if Your PIP Claim was Rejected

Quite often, PIP claims are rejected in the first instance. If you disagree with the decision that has been made about your PIP claim, you can challenge it – this is called a ‘Mandatory Reconsideration’.

To help prevent your claim from being rejected in the first place, it might be worth researching about your disability and how others in your community managed the process to get their advice.

You can appeal against a PIP decision if you:

didn’t get awarded PIP
received a lower rate than you expected
think award period given to you isn’t long enough

Please note that if you do challenge the decision given in regards to the amount or time the DWP might look into your whole case again and you could end up receiving nothing. The best thing to do is talk to someone who understands the process. You can speak to the Citizens Advice Bureau who can advise you on where to get the right help.

Can You Appeal a PIP Decision if it is Rejected Again?

Yes, if the decision was changed after requesting the ‘Mandatory Reconsideration’ you can appeal to an independent tribunal.

The tribunal will review the evidence from both sides and make a final decision. It is part of the court system, separate from the DWP, so an independent person will make the decision after considering everything.

You can appeal any PIP decision:

You were denied PIP benefit payments
You received a lower level of PIP than expected
You believe that your PIP award should last longer

The tribunal will assess whether the decision was correct at the time it was made, not any worsening of your condition. If this applies to you, seek advice from Citizens Advice Bureau

How to Appeal a PIP Reconsideration Notice

To appeal, you will need the letter from the DWP titled ‘Mandatory Reconsideration Notice’ (you can request a replacement if you can’t find it)

You must submit your appeal within one month of the date on the Mandatory Reconsideration notice

It may take time to reach a hearing, depending on where you live. The process can be challenging, but more than half of PIP appeals succeed at tribunal so if you believe that the PIP decision was wrong, don’t be discouraged from appealing.

How Long does a PIP Review Decision Take?

Before your PIP Award comes to an end you will receive a PIP review letter – you may receive this a year before it ends. You will have 4 weeks to return the form, if you ignore the form your payments will be stopped.

If there has been no change in your condition you can state that on the form. If there has been a change you will need to provide information on:

what has happened to cause the change
when it happened
how this has made things easier or harder for you
if your condition or symptoms have got worse or better
if you have stopped or started taking any medication
if you have any new aids or appliances that you’ve started to use

Currently (December 2024) there are long delays impacting the time it takes to get a PIP review decision, this is due to the DWP itself rather than the assessors. You could waiting over 8 months, but don’t worry during this time you will still continue to get your PIP benefit payments.

No matter how long you wait for a review decision you will still continue to receive your disability benefit payments
Georgina’s Top Disability Savings Tips

It is worth noting that if you request a review due to a change in your condition then it will be much quicker to get a decision.

What Other Benefits can I Claim with PIP?

Those people who are in receipt of PIP disability benefit will be eligible for other discounts and benefits to help reduce the cost of living with a disability. We have several articles on Purpl Life that highlight the benefits that disabled people in the UK may be entitled to receive.

Some of these benefits include:

Blue Badge
Disabled Bus Pass
Disabled Persons Railcard
Car Tax Exemption or Reduction
Motability Car
VAT Exemption on Medical Products
Disability Facilities Grant
Disabled Student Grant
CEA Card
Access Card
National Express Coachcard
TaxiCard (subsidised taxi fares)
Purpl Disabled Discounts

Conclusion

I know that applying for PIP may feel overwhelming but breaking it down step by step makes it much more manageable. Take your time, gather your evidence and ask for help along the way, remember there is support available.

For more savings and resources, explore Purpl’s Disabled Discounts and Offers to help offset the cost of being disabled.

If you’re ready to get started, contact the PIP claims line today and take the first step towards the support you deserve to help you live more independently.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does the PIP process take?

The PIP application process can take up to 20 weeks from the initial claim to receiving a decision.

Can I work and claim PIP?

Yes, PIP is not means-tested. Your employment status and income do not affect your eligibility, so you can work full-time or part-time and still receive PIP if you meet the eligibility criteria.

What should I do if my PIP claim is rejected?

If your PIP claim is denied. You can appeal to an independent tribunal. The Citizens Advice can provide guidance during this process.

Can I record my PIP assessment?

Yes, you can record your PIP assessment, but you must inform the assessment provider in advance and comply with their recording requirements. The benefit of recording your assessment means you can provide an accurate record for future reference.

I’ve moved to another country in the UK, do I need to tell the DWP?

Yes, you should inform the DWP about any changes to your circumstances including if you move countries as this could impact your disability payments.

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