Personal Independence Payment (PIP)

What is Personal Independence Payment (PIP)?

Personal Independent Payment (PIP) will replace Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for eligible claimants aged 18 to 64 from April 2013. PIP will be managed by the Department for Work & Pensions (DWP).

It will remain non-means tested and non-taxable and is payable to those both in and out of work.

Like DLA, PIP will be made up of two components:

• Daily Living Component
• Mobility Component

Each component will have two levels:

• Standard
• Enhanced

PIP will be awarded for one or both of these components.

For more information download our Easy read document for Personal Independent Payment (PDF, 237 KB).

How is the change being decided?

Claimants will be assessed for their eligibility for the new benefit.

The assessment will involve health professionals who will consider the evidence provided by the claimant, along with any further medical evidence.

Most people will be asked to attend face-to-face consultation as part of the claims process.

The health professional will provide advice to the DWP benefit Case Manager, who will then use this information to decide on the claimants' entitlement for PIP.

Who does the change not apply to?

Children under the age of 16 will continue to receive DLA. DWP will contact the parent or carer of the claimant before their 16th birthday to let them know that they should consider claiming PIP.

People aged 65 or over on 8 April 2013 will continue to get DLA as long as they remain eligible.

People receiving Attendance Allowance will not be affected the introduction of PIP.

When will the change be implemented?

As of April 2013 new DLA claimants will be assessed for PIP.

From October 2013 it is DWP's intention to start to reassess existing DLA claimants. Re-assessment will start with fixed period DLA awards that are due for renewal, where a young person is approaching their 16th birthday or where a change in condition has been reported.

From October 2015 it is DWP's intention to begin selecting existing DLA claimants and letting them know the process for claiming PIP. Those who have turned 65 after the 8 April 2013 will be prioritised.

For more information visit Gov.uk - Personal Independence Payment.