How to Claim PIP: Your Step-by-Step Guide for 2026

What is PIP and who can claim it?

Personal Independence Payment (PIP) is a DWP benefit for the extra costs of a long-term condition or disability. You can claim it whether you work or not, and your income and savings do not affect it.

You need to be 16 or over and under State Pension age, with difficulties lasting three months and expected to last nine more. PIP covers England and Wales; Scotland uses Adult Disability Payment instead. PIP is separate from means-tested benefits such as Universal Credit.

The two parts of PIP and what they pay

PIP has two parts, and you can be awarded one, both or neither. Daily living covers everyday tasks such as preparing food, washing and dressing. Mobility covers getting around, including planning a journey. Each part pays a standard or an enhanced rate — 2026/27 weekly rates, checked on GOV.UK on 8 November 2026:

PIP is tax-free, paid every four weeks. For example, standard daily living (£76.70) plus enhanced mobility (£80.00) is £156.70 a week — £626.80 every four weeks, £8,148.40 a year. The maximum, enhanced rate of both parts, is £194.60 a week.

Step 1: Start your claim

Most claims start by calling the PIP new claims line on 0800 917 2222, Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm. If you cannot hear or speak on the phone, use Relay UK (18001 then 0800 917 2222) or the British Sign Language video relay service. Someone else can call for you if you are with them.

Have your contact details, date of birth, National Insurance number, bank details and doctor’s details ready. You can also claim by post (Freepost DWP PIP 1) or online in some areas. Your claim date is normally the day you first contact the DWP, and awards are backdated to then.

Step 2: Fill in the “How your disability affects you” form

The DWP then sends the “How your disability affects you” form (the PIP2 form), by post within two weeks or by email link. You normally have one month to return it — note the deadline, and ask for more time if you need it.

This form is the heart of your claim. For each activity, describe what happens when you try, not just your diagnosis: what goes wrong, how long it takes, and whether you need prompting, help or equipment. Cover your worst days too — the test is whether a difficulty affects you on more than half your days over 12 months. Keep a copy, and send copies, not originals.

Step 3: The assessment

Most people are then invited to an assessment, though some claims are decided on paper alone. It can be at a centre, at home, by phone or by video, and usually lasts around an hour.

The assessor asks how your condition affects your daily tasks and about your treatment, and may ask you to do simple movements. You can bring someone with you, and the audio is recorded unless you ask otherwise. Think in examples, not labels, and describe a bad day. The assessor reports to the DWP, but a DWP decision maker makes the award.

How PIP points work

Each activity has descriptors worth set points, and only the highest one that applies on more than half your days counts. Daily living and mobility are scored separately, and points never carry across.

You need 8 points per component for the standard rate and 12 for the enhanced rate; 0 to 7 points means no award. A proposed rule requiring 4 points in one daily living activity was dropped in July 2025.

For example, help to prepare a meal (4 points), prompting to wash (2 points) and prompting to dress (2 points) totals 8 daily living points — the standard rate, £76.70 a week. This shows the maths, not a prediction about your claim.

The decision and getting paid

The DWP reviews your form, evidence and assessment report, then sends a decision letter stating your components, rates, first payment date and award length, usually 9 months to 10 years. The first payment may include back pay from your claim date.

If you disagree with the decision

If you are turned down or disagree with your rate, ask for a mandatory reconsideration within one month of the decision letter, explaining which descriptors should have scored and why. A different decision maker reviews the claim. If that fails, appeal to an independent tribunal within one month. Citizens Advice can help.

How long does a PIP claim take?

A new claim takes a median of about 18 weeks from registration — usually your first phone call — to a decision, so half take longer. A mandatory reconsideration adds roughly six to seven weeks, and a tribunal appeal adds months more. End-of-life claims are handled within days.

Evidence checklist

You do not need a huge bundle. Two or three strong, recent items beat a thick folder of letters: a current prescription list, care or support plans, letters from a health professional describing how your condition affects daily tasks, a statement from someone who helps you, and a diary of good and bad days. A diagnosis alone scores no points.

This article explains the PIP rules as of 8 November 2026. It is general information, not advice. Only the DWP can decide a claim.