For 2026/27, Personal Independence Payment (PIP) provides up to £194.60 per week for individuals aged 16 to State Pension age who have a long-term health condition or disability. This tax-free, non-means-tested benefit from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) helps with extra costs caused by conditions affecting daily life or mobility.

What is Personal Independence Payment (PIP) in 2026/27?

PIP is a UK Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) benefit supporting people aged 16 to State Pension age. It assists those with long-term physical or mental health conditions or disabilities that affect daily living or mobility. PIP is tax-free and not means-tested; income, savings and employment status typically do not affect eligibility.

The benefit comprises two components: the Daily Living component and the Mobility component. Each can be awarded at either a standard or an enhanced rate. A claimant can receive one or both components, depending on their assessment.

How much could a PIP claim be worth in 2026/27?

Following a 3.8 per cent uprating from 6 April 2026, the Personal Independence Payment rates for 2026/27 are set. The Daily Living component will pay £76.70 per week at the standard rate and £114.60 per week at the enhanced rate.

The Mobility component will provide £30.30 per week at the standard rate and £80.00 per week at the enhanced rate. A person receiving the enhanced rates for both components will achieve the maximum combined PIP award of £194.60 per week. This equates to £778.40 every four weeks, which could significantly assist with ongoing disability-related costs.

Who is eligible for PIP and how is it assessed?

Eligibility for PIP requires the individual to be aged between 16 and State Pension age and to have a long-term health condition or disability. This condition must affect their daily life or their ability to get around.

A key criterion is the "3-month/9-month rule": the difficulties must have lasted for at least 3 months and be expected to continue for at least a further 9 months. This ensures support for long-term needs.

Claims made under Special Rules for End of Life are fast-tracked, bypassing the 3-month/9-month rule. These rules apply when a person has a progressive condition with a reasonable expectation of death within 12 months, and such claims typically result in an enhanced Daily Living rate award.

How does the PIP points assessment work?

PIP eligibility is determined through a points-based assessment system. This system evaluates a claimant's ability to carry out specific tasks across 12 activities: 10 relating to daily living and 2 to mobility.

Each activity includes various descriptors, which are assigned points ranging from 0 to 12 based on the level of difficulty experienced. Points are tallied separately for the Daily Living and Mobility components. To qualify for the standard rate of either component, a claimant needs a score of 8 to 11 points in that component. A score of 12 or more points in a component leads to the enhanced rate for that specific component.

How does PIP compare with Attendance Allowance?

Personal Independence Payment serves as the working-age equivalent of Attendance Allowance. While PIP covers individuals aged 16 up to State Pension age, Attendance Allowance is specifically for people over State Pension age.

A person who is already receiving PIP when they reach State Pension age will generally continue to receive PIP. They do not typically switch to Attendance Allowance in such circumstances.

How do you claim Personal Independence Payment?

The process to claim PIP begins by contacting the Department for Work and Pensions. This can be done by phone on 0800 917 2222, online through the gov.uk website, or by post.

Following this initial contact, claimants receive a 'How your disability affects you' form to complete, detailing their condition's impact. Most applicants then attend an assessment with a health professional, which may be conducted by telephone, video, or in person.

In Scotland, new claimants apply for Adult Disability Payment through Social Security Scotland, which operates with the same weekly rates as PIP. Existing PIP claims in Scotland are being automatically transferred to Adult Disability Payment.

What other support can PIP unlock?

Receiving Personal Independence Payment can open access to additional financial and practical support. A family member or friend providing 35 or more hours of care per week to a PIP Daily Living recipient may become eligible for Carer's Allowance.

PIP can also trigger disability additions within other welfare benefits, including Universal Credit, Housing Benefit, and Council Tax Reduction, boosting household income. Beyond financial benefits, PIP recipients may qualify for practical entitlements such as the Blue Badge parking scheme, a discounted or free bus pass, and potential exemption from or reduction of certain road tax. Individuals receiving the enhanced Mobility component may also be eligible for the Motability Scheme, which provides access to a car, scooter, or powered wheelchair.

What should you do if a PIP claim is refused?

If a Personal Independence Payment claim is refused, or if the award is at a lower rate than anticipated, claimants have the right to challenge the decision. The first step is to request a Mandatory Reconsideration.

This request must be made within one month of the DWP's decision. If dissatisfaction persists after the Mandatory Reconsideration, the claimant can then appeal to an independent tribunal, where a significant proportion of appeals are successful.

What should you do next?

For individuals considering a PIP claim or those already engaged in the process, understanding the eligibility criteria and assessment mechanics is crucial. Review the detailed guidelines on gov.uk to ensure all relevant information about your condition and its impact is accurately presented.

If you believe you meet the criteria for Personal Independence Payment based on the 2026/27 rates and rules, initiating the claim process with the DWP is the next step. Keep records of all communications and medical evidence to support your application.