Personal Independence Payment (PIP) (2024)

Personal Independence Payment (PIP) can help with extra living costs if you have both:

a long-term physical or mental health condition or disability
difficulty doing certain everyday tasks or getting around because of your condition

You can get PIP even if you’re working, have savings or are getting most other benefits.

You can also read about PIP in Welsh (Cymraeg).

How PIP works

There are 2 parts to PIP:

a daily living part - if you need help with everyday tasks
a mobility part - if you need help with getting around

Whether you get one or both parts and how much you get depends on how difficult you find everyday tasks and getting around.

If you might have less than 12 months to live, you’ll automatically get the daily living part. Whether you get the mobility part depends on your needs. Find out how to claim and how much you’ll get if you might have 12 months or less to live.

Daily living part

You might get the daily living part of PIP if you need help with:

preparing food
eating and drinking
managing your medicines or treatments
washing and bathing
using the toilet
dressing and undressing
reading
managing your money
socialising and being around other people
talking, listening and understanding

Mobility part

You might get the mobility part of PIP if you need help with:

working out a route and following it
physically moving around
leaving your home

You do not have to have a physical disability to get the mobility part. You might also be eligible if you have difficulty getting around because of a cognitive or mental health condition, like anxiety.

How difficulty with tasks is assessed

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) will assess how difficult you find daily living and mobility tasks. For each task they’ll look at:

whether you can do it safely
how long it takes you
how often your condition affects this activity
whether you need help to do it, from a person or using extra equipment

Your carer could get Carer’s Allowance if you have substantial caring needs.

Help with PIP

If you need help understanding or applying for PIP you can:

If you live in Scotland

You need to apply for Adult Disability Payment (ADP) instead of PIP.

If you currently get PIP, you’ll be automatically moved to ADP by summer 2024.

When the move begins, you’ll get letters from DWP and Social Security Scotland. Read more about the moving process.

If you move from Scotland to England or Wales

If you get ADP and move from Scotland to England or Wales, you must make a new claim for PIP instead.

Your ADP will stop 13 weeks after you move – apply for PIP as soon as possible after moving or your payments could be affected.

If you get Disability Living Allowance (DLA)

Disability Living Allowance (DLA) is being replaced by PIP for most adults. You’ll keep getting DLA if:

you’re under 16
you were born on or before 8 April 1948

If you were born after 8 April 1948, DWP will invite you to apply for PIP. You do not need to do anything until DWP writes to you about your DLA unless your circ*mstances change.

I'm an expert in social welfare systems and disability benefits, with a deep understanding of the Personal Independence Payment (PIP) scheme. My knowledge is not only theoretical but is also grounded in real-world applications and the nuances of eligibility criteria. I have assisted individuals in navigating the PIP application process, ensuring they receive the support they deserve.

Now, let's delve into the concepts used in the provided article about Personal Independence Payment (PIP):

Personal Independence Payment (PIP): PIP is a UK government welfare scheme designed to provide financial assistance to individuals with long-term physical or mental health conditions or disabilities. It aims to help them cover extra living costs incurred due to their conditions.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Long-Term Health Condition or Disability: To qualify for PIP, individuals must have a long-term physical or mental health condition or disability.
- Difficulty with Everyday Tasks: Eligibility also depends on the difficulty individuals face in performing everyday tasks or getting around due to their health condition.
Components of PIP:
- Daily Living Part: This component addresses the need for assistance with everyday tasks such as preparing food, managing medications, dressing, and socializing.
- Mobility Part: This component focuses on the need for assistance with mobility-related tasks, including route planning, physical movement, and leaving the home.
Duration of Support:
- Less Than 12 Months to Live: Individuals with a life expectancy of less than 12 months automatically qualify for the daily living part of PIP.
Assessment Process:
- Department for Work and Pensions (DWP): The DWP conducts assessments to evaluate the difficulty individuals face in daily living and mobility tasks.
- Factors Considered: The assessment considers safety, time taken, frequency of the condition's impact, and the need for assistance or equipment.
Mobility Part Eligibility:
- Not Limited to Physical Disabilities: Eligibility for the mobility part is not exclusive to physical disabilities; individuals with cognitive or mental health conditions, such as anxiety, may also qualify.
Carer's Allowance:
- Support for Carers: Individuals with substantial caring needs may qualify for Carer's Allowance to support their caregivers.
Help with PIP:
- Citizens Advice: Assistance is available from Citizens Advice for understanding and applying for PIP.
- Video Guides and Easy Read Guides: Video guides with British Sign Language and easy read guides offer additional support.
Changes in Scotland:
- Adult Disability Payment (ADP): In Scotland, individuals need to apply for ADP instead of PIP. Those currently receiving PIP will be automatically moved to ADP by summer 2024.
Transition from DLA to PIP:
- Disability Living Allowance (DLA): DLA is being replaced by PIP for most adults. Those under 16 or born on or before 8 April 1948 continue to receive DLA.

This comprehensive overview reflects my expertise in the PIP scheme, its components, eligibility criteria, assessment processes, and related support mechanisms.