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Personal Independence Payment (PIP)

If you are over 16, Personal Independence Payment (PIP) can help you with some of the extra costs associated with having a long term ill-health or disability. For children aged under 16, Disability Living Allowance can be claimed.

PIP explained

Personal Independence Payment (PIP) is a benefit for working age people who have a disability or long-term health problem and have difficulty or need help with daily living activities and/or getting about.

What are the eligbility criteria?

You must be aged 16 or over and have not reached State Pension age to claim.

You must also have a health condition or disability where you:

  • have had difficulties with daily living or getting around (or both) for 3 months
  • expect these difficulties to continue for at least 9 months (unless you’re terminally ill with less than 6 months to live)

You must have lived in England, Scotland or Wales for at least 2 of the last 3 years, and be in one of these countries when you apply. If you’ve recently returned from living in another EEA country, you might be able to get PIP sooner.

The process is different in Northern Ireland.

You can get PIP whether you’re working or not.

You cannot get PIP and Armed Forces Independence Payment at the same time.

There are additional rules if you live abroad or if you’re not a British citizen.

Living abroad

You might still be able to get PIP if you:

If you’re not a British citizen

You must:

  • normally live in or show that you intend to settle in the UK, Ireland, the Isle of Man or the Channel Islands
  • not be subject to immigration control (unless you’re a sponsored immigrant)

You might still be able to get PIP if you are a refugee or have humanitarian protection status.

Daily living difficulties

You may get the daily living part of PIP if you need help more than half of the time with things like:

  • preparing or eating food
  • washing, bathing and using the toilet
  • dressing and undressing
  • reading and communicating
  • managing your medicines or treatments
  • making decisions about money
  • engaging with other people

Mobility difficulties

You may get the mobility part of PIP if you need help going out or moving around.

How you’re assessed

You’ll be assessed by an independent healthcare professional to help DWP work out the level of help you need.

What is the PIP rate?

The PIP rate is between £23.20 and £148.85 a week if you’re aged 16 or over and have not reached State Pension age.

The amount you get depends on how your condition affects you, not the condition itself.

You’ll be assessed by a health professional to work out the level of help you can get. Your rate will be regularly reviewed to make sure you’re getting the right support.

How do I apply for PIP?

DWP - PIP claims
Telephone: 0800 917 2222
Textphone: 0800 917 7777
NGT text relay (if you cannot hear or speak on the phone): 18001 then 0800 917 2222
Video relay service for British Sign Language (BSL) users - check you can use the service
Calling from abroad: +44 191 218 7766
Monday to Friday, 8am to 7.30pm
Find out about call charges

Claim by post

You can get a form to send information by post (although this can delay the decision on your claim). Write a letter to ask for the form.

Personal Independence Payment New Claims
Post Handling Site B
Wolverhampton
WV99 1AH

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