What is Personal Independence Payment (PIP)?
Personal Independence Payment (PIP) is a form of benefits support awarded by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to people who are eligible, to help them with living costs.
You may be eligible for PIP if you have both:
- “a long-term physical or mental health condition or disability
- difficulty doing certain everyday tasks or getting around because of your condition”
You can still get PIP regardless of if you’re working, have savings or are receiving other benefits. You can find out more about PIP on the government website.
How do I apply for PIP?
To apply for PIP, you must complete an application form (which may be online in some areas of the UK). The form asks you questions about the treatments and medicines you take, how your daily living is affected (such as your ability to prepare food, and manage your money), and how your mobility is affected (such as your ability to physically move around or leave the house).
What support can I get to complete the form?
The PIP form itself is quite long and can take a while to complete. It can feel quite daunting for some people, and it can be reassuring to have clear guidance on what you need to do to complete the application process, as well as tips on how to fill in the form itself.
To help you, we have put together a free PIP Helper online tool. This tool walks you through what you need to do at each stage of the application process, as well as how best to complete the form. The question section provides an overview of the question, what it means, and an example of how someone with kidney disease may answer, to help guide you.
You can also find helpful videos on the PIP Helper, as well as a handbook of how to use the PIP Helper and the extra PDF resources available on this web page.
If you would rather talk to someone for one to one support over the phone, find out about our Patient Support & Advocacy Service.
PIP Helper Frequently Asked Questions
The PIP Helper is designed for people who are eligible for PIP. Therefore, you must be 16 years of age or older, live in England, Wales, or Northern Ireland.
You will also need to have your National Insurance number. If you do not have a National Insurance number, you will need to contact us.
The PIP Helper may not be suitable for those with complicated health conditions or who are not confident using online tools. If you struggle to use the tool or you need additional support because your health condition is complicated, you can contact our team for one to one support over the phone instead of via the tool.
Applying for PIP can be a stressful and upsetting experience. If you feel that you are struggling to cope, you can visit our emotional advice page, which is available on the bottom of each page on the Helper. You can also contact us for direct support, including from our kidney counselling team.
Call our Support Line at 0808 801 0000, or email us at [email protected].
If you feel overwhelmed by anxious thoughts or are thinking about harming yourself in any way, please speak to your GP so they can help you get the help you need. You might also want to consider talking to a free listening support service like the Samaritans (call 116 123 for free, 24 hours a day).
If you are having an issue with the Helper tool, please let us know by getting in touch with us, so that we can investigate the issue for you.
Email: [email protected]
