# Am I eligible for Personal Independence Payment (PIP)?

> Eligibility · Last reviewed 22 August 2026

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## In short

PIP is for working-age adults (16 to State Pension age) with a long-term physical or mental health condition. There are two components — daily living (£76.70 or £114.60 a week standard/enhanced, 2026/27) and mobility (£30.30 or £80 a week). You don't have to be unable to work.

PIP replaced Disability Living Allowance for working-age adults. Awards are based on how a condition affects you, not on a diagnosis. In Scotland, PIP is replaced by Adult Disability Payment (ADP), administered by Social Security Scotland.

Typical amount: Daily living: £76.70 (standard) or £114.60 (enhanced) per week. Mobility: £30.30 (standard) or £80.00 (enhanced) per week (2026/27)

## Who usually qualifies

- You're 16 to State Pension age
- You've had health-related difficulties for 3 months and expect them to continue for 9+ months
- Your condition affects daily-living activities or mobility (or both)
- You live in the UK (England, Wales, NI) and meet the presence/residence tests

## Who usually does not

- You're under 16 (claim DLA for children) or at State Pension age (claim Attendance Allowance)
- You haven't had the difficulties for 3 months yet (unless terminal)
- You live in Scotland — claim Adult Disability Payment via Social Security Scotland instead

## How to check

- Current eligibility rules are at gov.uk/pip; new claims are started by phone on 0800 917 2222
- The PIP assessment uses formal 'descriptors' published on gov.uk that score how the condition affects everyday activities
- Free help with PIP claims and appeals is available from Citizens Advice and many local welfare-rights services

## Frequently asked questions

### Will I have to attend an assessment?

Most claimants have a Health Assessment, usually by phone or video, with an independent assessor. Some are decided on paper evidence alone. You can ask for a face-to-face assessment if you'd prefer.

### Does PIP affect other benefits?

No — PIP isn't counted as income for means-tested benefits. It can actually unlock additional 'premiums' on Universal Credit, Housing Benefit and pension credit, and exempt you from the Benefit Cap.

### How long does a PIP award last?

Awards typically run for 1–10 years. Some claimants get 'ongoing' or 'light-touch' awards. You can ask for a Mandatory Reconsideration and then an appeal if you disagree with the decision.

## Related

- [PIP explained (full guide)](https://moneyguide.org.uk/benefits-tax/personal-independence-payment/)
- [How to claim PIP](https://moneyguide.org.uk/how-to/claim-pip/)
- [Am I eligible for Attendance Allowance?](https://moneyguide.org.uk/eligible-for/attendance-allowance/)
- [Blue Badge eligibility](https://moneyguide.org.uk/eligible-for/blue-badge/)
- [What is PIP?](https://moneyguide.org.uk/answers/what-is-pip/)
- [Benefits estimator](https://moneyguide.org.uk/tools/benefits-estimator/)

## Sources

- [GOV.UK — Personal Independence Payment](https://www.gov.uk/pip)
- [GOV.UK — PIP eligibility](https://www.gov.uk/pip/eligibility)
- [mygov.scot — Adult Disability Payment](https://www.mygov.scot/adult-disability-payment)

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Independent UK money guidance from [Money Guide](https://moneyguide.org.uk). Information only — not regulated financial advice.