Help is available for people with additional needs(Image: Alphotographic via Getty Images)
Disabled people may be entitled to financial support through a range of benefits. One of the primary means by which residents in England and Wales can access assistance is via Personal Independence Payments (PIP), a non-means-tested benefit awarded to those requiring help with additional living costs.
PIP claimants can receive payments regardless of whether they are employed, have savings, or are already receiving other benefits. The principal eligibility requirement is that applicants must have a long-term physical or mental health condition or disability, alongside difficulties carrying out certain daily activities or moving around due to their condition.
PIP comprises two components – a daily living element for those requiring assistance with everyday tasks, and a mobility element for individuals needing support getting around. Whether you qualify for one or both components, and the amount you receive, is determined by the extent to which you struggle with daily activities and mobility.
PIP is paid to cover additional living costs(Image: Getty Images )
Separate provisions apply for those approaching the end of life (for instance, due to a terminal illness), as they will automatically qualify for the daily living component. However, eligibility for the mobility component remains subject to individual circumstances.
Data shows there are 3.8million people claiming PIP. The DWP outlines the difficulties people must experience in order to qualify for the benefit, alongside strict criteria that must be satisfied.
Daily living part
According to the DWP website people might get the daily living part of PIP if help is needed with:
preparing foodeating and drinkingmanaging your medicines or treatmentswashing and bathingusing the toiletdressing and undressingreadingmanaging your moneysocialising and being around other peopletalking, listening and understandingMobility part
Separately people might get the mobility part of PIP if they need help with:
working out a route and following itphysically moving aroundleaving your home
The DWP said: “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.”
Assessment of needs
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) will assess how difficult the claimant finds daily living and mobility tasks. For each task they will look at:
whether you can do it safelyhow long it takes youwhether you need help to do it, from a person or using extra equipmentHow often your condition affects tasks
However there is a rule around how often help is needed before PIP is awarded. The DWP states it needs to be “most of the time” which it sets out as at least 183 days.
It said: “To get PIP you must experience difficulty with tasks most of the time. This means that you expect to have difficulty more than half of the days over a 12-month period.”
Other eligibility rules
Personal Independence Payment (PIP) is paid if all of the following apply:
You also usually need to be under State Pension age to make a new PIP claim. There are different eligibility rules if you’re nearing the end of life (for example, due to a life-limiting illness). You might be able to get PIP more quickly and at a higher rate.
There are other rules for people who have returned from abroad or those living in Scotland as wel as those who are not British citizens.
How much PIP pays
PIP currently pays different amounts depending on the level of care needed. The weekly 2026/27 daily living part is £76.70 for the lower rate and £114.60 for the higher rate. The weekly mobility payment is £30.30 for the lower rate and £80 for the higher rate.
This is usually paid every four weeks. It goes directly into a bank, building society or credit union account.
How to claim
Before applying for Personal Independence Payment (PIP), check if you’re eligible. If so and you live in England or Wales you can then:
call the ‘PIP new claims’ phone line on 0800 917 2222, Monday to Friday 8am to 5pm, and answer some basic questions about you and your disability or conditioncomplete a form that asks about how your disability or condition affects you. You can do this online or by postyou might need to have an assessment, if more information is needed
If you live in:
There’s a different way to claim if you’re nearing the end of life (for example, due to a life-limiting illness).
Help with PIP
If help is needed with understanding or applying for PIP you can:
You may be able to get a home visit from a Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) officer to help you with your claim. Ask the advisor when you call the PIP new claims phone line.