💷 How much is it? (weekly, from April 2026)

Daily living (everyday tasks like preparing food, washing, dressing, managing medication, communicating and making decisions)

• Standard: £76.70
• Enhanced: £114.60

Mobility (planning and following journeys, and moving around)

• Standard: £30.30
• Enhanced: £80.00

You can get one or both parts, up to £194.60 a week, paid every 4 weeks. It's tax-free, not means-tested, and you can claim whether you work or not.

✅ Who can claim?

• You're 16 or over and under State Pension age when you first claim.
• You have a long-term physical or mental health condition or disability.
• You've had difficulties for 3 months and expect them to last at least 9 more months (there are special rules if you're terminally ill, with a quicker and simpler process).
• You live in Great Britain and meet the residence rules.

It's about how your condition affects you, not the name of your diagnosis.

🧮 How the points system works

Your claim is scored against 10 activities (9 about daily living and 2 about mobility, with the second covering getting around). Each has descriptors worth different points.

• 8 to 11 points gets you the standard rate.
• 12 or more points gets you the enhanced rate.

For each activity, you should be able to do it safely, to an acceptable standard, as often as you need to, and in a reasonable time. This is a really important point. Being able to do something once on a good day doesn't count if you couldn't do it reliably.

📝 Making your claim

1. Start by phone or post. You'll give basic details and be sent the form "How your disability affects you" (called the PIP2).
2. Complete the form within 1 month. If you need more time, ask the DWP before the deadline.
3. Send in evidence. Letters from doctors, specialists, support workers, carers and therapists, prescriptions, care plans and anything else that shows how things are for you.
4. Attend an assessment if you're asked to (some people are awarded on the form alone).
5. Wait for the decision letter.

Form tips:

• Describe your worst days and your usual days, not just your best.
• Explain how long things take, whether you need prompting or help, and how you feel afterwards, such as pain, exhaustion or anxiety.
• Give examples. "I can't cook" is less helpful than "I've burnt myself twice this month because I forgot the pan was on."
• Fill in every section, even if you think it doesn't apply, and keep a copy.
• Ask someone you trust to read it through with you.

😟 Why do so many people struggle at the assessment?

Assessments are carried out by health professionals working for private companies on the DWP's behalf, and they usually last 30 to 60 minutes. They can be done by phone, by video or face-to-face. Many people find them stressful, and it's easy to see why:

• Nerves can make you play things down. Many people instinctively say "I'm fine" or "I manage", and that can be recorded as meaning you don't need help.
• A "good day" snapshot. You may be asked about one moment, but your condition is fluctuating or unpredictable.
• Invisible conditions are harder to explain. Mental health conditions, chronic fatigue, chronic pain, autism, ADHD and neurological conditions don't always show on the day.
• The report doesn't always match what you said. People often say the written report missed or changed important details.
• Wrong scoring. Decision-makers sometimes give too few points, even with good evidence.

None of this means you're exaggerating or not trying hard enough. Many of these decisions are later changed.

Assessment tips:

• Take a friend, family member or support worker if you can. Ask in advance if you need adjustments, such as a quiet room, breaks or a home visit.
• Ask whether the assessment can be recorded and check the current DWP guidance on this.
• Keep notes beside you. Mention your worst days, and how often you have them.
• Be honest about pain, fatigue, anxiety, medication side effects and what you can't do reliably.
• Don't worry if you go quiet or forget something. You can follow up in writing with extra information afterwards.
• Ask for a copy of the assessment report. Check it carefully for mistakes and missing information.

⚖️ If you disagree with the decision

Step 1: Mandatory Reconsideration (MR)

This is the DWP's own internal review, and it's the first stage before an appeal.

• You normally need to ask within one month of the decision date. Late requests are only accepted in limited circumstances.
• You can ask by phone, but it's best to put it in writing too. Explain exactly which parts you disagree with and why, and attach any new evidence.
• Ask for a copy of your assessment report and the decision-maker's notes.
• You'll receive a Mandatory Reconsideration Notice. Keep it safe, as you'll need it to appeal.
• Around one in four MRs lead to a changed decision, and some people give up here. Please don't, because the next stage has much better results.

Step 2: Appeal to an independent tribunal

• You normally have one month from the date of your MR Notice to appeal. You can do this online or by post, and it's free.
• The tribunal is independent of the DWP. It usually includes a judge, and often a doctor or disability expert.
• Hearings can be by phone, video or in person. You can bring a supporter or representative, and you'll have a chance to explain how your condition affects you.
• Around two thirds of PIP appeals heard at a tribunal are won by the claimant, which says a lot about how many first decisions need correcting.
• If you win, your award is usually backdated to the date of the original decision.
• It can take months, so it's worth getting help early and keeping evidence organised.

Other options:

• If your health has got worse, you can ask for a review of your award or make a new claim, but get advice first so you don't lose anything.
• A tribunal can look at the whole award, so it's worth getting advice before you appeal. A free adviser can talk it through with you.

📰 What about the future of PIP?

The government is running a review of PIP led by Sir Stephen Timms, with draft recommendations published in September 2026 about making the assessment process fairer and more consistent. A final report is expected later this autumn. At the moment, the main rules and rates are unchanged. Any big changes would need to go through Parliament, so we'll share updates on the forum.

🤝 Where to get free help

• Citizens Advice and local welfare rights services can help with forms, MRs and appeals.
• Disability Rights UK, Scope and Turn2us have guides and helplines.
• Contact helps families with disabled children.
• Your local Law Centre, Mind or Age UK branch may also help.
• The forum, for tips, moral support and company.

Rates are correct for 2026/27, but always check GOV.UK. This guide applies to England and Wales. Scotland has Adult Disability Payment instead, and Northern Ireland has its own PIP arrangements, so check Nidirect.

💬 A final word

Waiting for decisions and going through appeals can be draining. It's completely normal to feel anxious, angry or worn down. Take breaks, lean on people you trust, and if it's all feeling too much, please speak to your GP or ring Samaritans on 116 123 (free, any time).

You know your condition best. If you think the decision is wrong, you're entitled to challenge it, and many people succeed. Come and tell us how you get on.