Personal Independence Payment (PIP)

Description

The main disability benefit for working-age people in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, paid to help with the extra costs of a long-term physical or mental health condition or disability — split into a daily living component and a mobility component.

Eligibility summary

• Available in: England, Wales, Northern Ireland.
• Open to individuals — not restricted to businesses.

Notes

Not means-tested — income, savings and (in most cases) work status don't affect it. Scotland fully replaced PIP with Adult Disability Payment (new claims and migration of existing claimants both complete) — see the separate Adult Disability Payment (Scotland) entry; do not surface this DWP scheme to Scottish residents. Northern Ireland runs PIP under its own separate-but-parity legislation via the Department for Communities/nidirect, at the same rates as Great Britain.

Assessment

Awarded via a points-based assessment across daily living and/or mobility activities: standard rate = 8–11 points in a component, enhanced rate = 12+ points. You can qualify for one or both components.

Requirement

Aged 16 to State Pension age, with a long-term physical or mental health condition or disability that has caused difficulty with daily living activities and/or getting around for 3+ months, expected to continue for 9+ more months.