Personal Independence Payment is a UK government benefit you claim through the Department for Work and Pensions, not through a private company or online service

Personal Independence Payment (PIP) is a monthly payment from the UK government for people aged 16 to 64 who have a long-term physical or mental health condition or disability that affects their daily life or mobility. You claim it directly from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) by phone, post, or through an agent acting on your behalf. The DWP then assesses your claim based on how your condition affects you, not on your diagnosis alone. Payment goes into your bank account if your claim is approved.

The process takes several months from start to finish. You will need to complete a detailed form, provide medical evidence, and likely attend an assessment appointment. There is no online application portal for PIP itself, though you can check the status of a claim you have already started through your personal online account once the DWP has set one up for you.

Key Takeaways

  • You claim PIP by calling the DWP on 0800 917 2222, requesting a form by post, or asking someone to claim on your behalf if you cannot do it yourself.
  • The claim form asks detailed questions about how your condition affects your daily activities, mobility, and social interaction — not just what condition you have.
  • You will need to provide medical evidence such as letters from your GP, hospital reports, or prescriptions that show your condition and how long you have had it.
  • Most claims trigger an assessment appointment with a healthcare professional contracted by the DWP, which usually happens two to three months after you submit your form.
  • If the DWP refuses your claim, you can ask them to reconsider within one month, and if they still refuse, you can appeal to an independent tribunal.

How to start a claim

Call the DWP's PIP claim line on 0800 917 2222 to start your claim. The line is open Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. When you call, tell them you want to claim PIP. They will take basic details and send you a claim form by post. The form is called the PIP2 form and runs to around 40 pages.

If you cannot make a phone call or prefer not to, you can request the form by post. Write to: Personal Independence Payment New Claims, Post Handling Centre, Wolverhampton, WV98 1AA. Include your name, date of birth, and address. The DWP will send the form within a few days.

If someone else is claiming on your behalf — because you lack mental capacity, for example — they can call the same number and explain they are acting as your representative. They will need to provide their name, address, and relationship to you, and you may need to sign a form giving them permission.

What information you need to provide on the form

The PIP2 form asks you to describe how your condition affects you in nine areas: preparing food, eating and drinking, washing and bathing, toileting, dressing and undressing, communicating, reading and understanding, engaging with other people, and moving around. For each area, you explain what you can and cannot do, how often you need help, and what help you need.

The form also asks about your condition, when it started, what treatment you are having, and whether it is likely to change. Write as much detail as you can. The DWP uses your answers to decide whether to send you for an assessment. If your answers suggest you may not meet the criteria, they may refuse your claim without an assessment — so being thorough matters.

You will also need to list any medical professionals who know about your condition, such as your GP, a hospital consultant, or a therapist. The DWP will contact them to ask for evidence. Providing their details speeds up the process.

Medical evidence the DWP will ask for

The DWP does not require you to pay for new medical reports. Instead, they ask your existing healthcare providers — your GP, hospital, or specialist — for evidence they already have. This might include letters from your consultant, hospital discharge summaries, prescriptions, or notes from your GP about your condition and how it affects you.

You can speed this up by asking your GP or hospital to send their records to the DWP yourself. Request a copy of your medical records and send them with your claim form. Include a covering letter explaining which records relate to your condition and how they show the impact on your daily life.

If you have been diagnosed recently and have little medical evidence yet, tell the DWP this on the form. They will still assess your claim, but it may take longer because they will need to gather information from your healthcare provider.

The assessment appointment and what to expect

After you submit your form, the DWP usually sends you an appointment for a face-to-face assessment within two to three months. The appointment is with a healthcare professional — often a nurse or physiotherapist — who works for a company contracted by the DWP, not for the DWP itself. The assessment lasts around 45 minutes to an hour.

At the appointment, the assessor will ask you questions about how your condition affects you in daily life. They may ask you to do simple tasks, such as standing up from a chair or picking up a small object, to see what you can physically do. They are not trying to trick you — they are gathering evidence to support or challenge what you said on the form.

Bring any medical evidence with you, such as letters from your GP or hospital. You can also bring a support person — a friend, family member, or representative — to the appointment. Tell the DWP when you book that you want someone with you, and they will arrange a space for them in the room.

What happens after the assessment

After your assessment, the DWP receives a report from the healthcare professional. They then make a decision on your claim, usually within two to four weeks. You will receive a letter telling you whether they have approved or refused your claim. If approved, the letter will say how much you will receive each month and when payments will start.

PIP has two components: a daily living component and a mobility component. Each has two rates — standard and enhanced. The amount you receive depends on how the assessor scored your answers against the PIP criteria. Payments go into your bank account every four weeks.

If the DWP refuses your claim, the letter will explain why. You have one month from the date of the letter to ask them to reconsider. This is called a mandatory reconsideration. Write to the address on the letter, explain why you think the decision is wrong, and include any new evidence. The DWP will review the decision and send you a new letter within a few weeks.

What to do if your claim is refused

If the DWP still refuses your claim after reconsideration, you can appeal to an independent tribunal. You have one month from the date of the reconsideration letter to lodge an appeal. You do not need a lawyer, though you can have one if you want.

To appeal, contact the Social Security and Child Support Tribunal. You can find the address and contact details on the reconsideration letter. Send them a written appeal explaining why you disagree with the DWP's decision. Include copies of any evidence you have — medical records, letters from your GP, or anything else that supports your claim.

The tribunal will review your case and may ask you to attend a hearing. At the hearing, you can explain your situation to a judge and answer questions. Many people find it helpful to have someone with them — a friend, family member, or representative from an organisation like Citizens Advice. The tribunal will then make a decision, which is binding on the DWP.

Getting help with your claim

Several organisations offer free support with PIP claims. Citizens Advice has local offices that can help you fill in the form and prepare for your assessment. Scope and Mind also offer guidance specific to disability and mental health. Your local council may have a welfare rights service that helps residents with benefit claims.

If you are struggling to fill in the form or attend an appointment because of your condition, tell the DWP. They can arrange adjustments, such as a longer appointment, a phone assessment instead of face-to-face, or a larger print form. Call 0800 917 2222 to request these.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to get a decision on a PIP claim?

Most claims take three to four months from the date you submit the form to the date you receive a decision. This includes time for the DWP to gather medical evidence and arrange your assessment. Some claims are faster if the DWP can make a decision without an assessment; others take longer if medical evidence is hard to obtain.

Can I work while claiming PIP?

Yes. PIP is not means-tested and does not depend on how much you earn. You can work part-time or full-time and still receive PIP if you meet the criteria. However, the DWP may ask how your work affects your condition, so be honest about this on the form and at your assessment.

What if my condition changes after I claim?

Tell the DWP if your condition gets worse or better. You can report a change by calling 0800 917 2222. If your condition has improved significantly, the DWP may ask you to attend another assessment. If it has worsened, you can ask for a review of your award.

Do I have to attend the assessment appointment?

Yes, unless the DWP agrees you cannot attend for medical reasons. If you cannot attend, contact the DWP as soon as possible and explain why. They may arrange a phone assessment or a home visit instead. If you do not attend and do not contact the DWP, they may refuse your claim.

Can I claim PIP if I am not a UK citizen?

You must be a UK resident and usually have been for at least two of the last three years. If you are from the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, or Switzerland, different rules may apply depending on your immigration status. Contact the DWP to check whether you can claim.