Claiming PIP — what you need to know
Personal Independence Payment (PIP) is money you may be entitled to if your condition affects daily life or getting around. This guide explains how the process works and how to give yourself the best chance of success.
How points work
PIP has two parts: daily living and mobility. You score points in each part separately based on how your condition affects you.
8
Standard award
in either part
12
Enhanced award
in either part
⚠️ Important: the rules are changing from November 2026
If you are applying for PIP for the first time, this change affects you. Currently, you can reach the 8-point threshold by adding up points from several different daily living activities. From November 2026, new claimants will also need to score at least 4 points within a single activity to qualify for the daily living component.
If you are already receiving PIP, your current award is protected — this change does not apply to existing claimants.
If you are thinking of applying, it may be worth doing so before November 2026. For the latest information visit gov.uk/pip.
What counts as “not being able to do something”?
You count as unable to do a task if you cannot do it …
Safely
Without risk of harm to yourself or others
Reliably
As often as needed, not just sometimes
Repeatedly
More than once, not just on a good day
In time
In no more than twice as long as someone without your condition
Filling in the form
Some locations offer digital forms that you may find much easier to complete as you can go back over several days/weeks and edit and reword things to make it clearer and more concise.
This is not always an option, and anyway you may prefer to complete a paper form rather than a digital one.
• Think about what your life is like most of the time, not only on your hardest days.
• If something affects you more than half the time, it counts.
• Be specific about the PIP point categories you think apply to you.
• Use the exact wording from the categories — this helps assessors understand clearly.
• Keep answers focused. Less to misinterpret means fewer mistakes in your report.
⑄ How to describe your averages
Describing averages is particularly useful if your condition varies from day to day. It lets you give honest, specific information about your daily life — including the things you can sometimes do — whilst still making clear that you cannot do them reliably or the majority of the time.
For example, you might say: “I have 5 worse days a week where I cannot do this task, and 2 better days where I can.” You then explain what you can and cannot do on each type of day, including any consequences when you do manage to complete a task — such as fatigue or increased anxiety afterwards.
Why this approach helps
Within the PIP rules, describing the majority of your days as ones where you cannot do a task means you still qualify for those points. But it also leaves room for nuance — and makes it harder for the things you can do on better days to be used as reasons to deny your claim.
It is generally advised when sending or returning physical PIP documents to send it yourself with tracked delivery so that you have a receipt/record and confirmation that it has been delivered.
Forms can get lost and the pre-paid envelopes that are included aren’t always reliable.
Your assessment
1
Request a phone assessment [Optional]
If you wished to be assessed over the phone, you are entitled to this. Tell them when you book that you want a phone assessment.
This is optional. Some people may prefer for their assessment to be based on the form.
2
Record the call yourself
Tell them in advance that you plan to record it. They may offer to send you a recording — still make your own. This protects you if the report contains errors.
3
Request a copy of your assessment report
You can do this a few days after your assessment. Read it carefully — it may contain mistakes you will need to challenge.
If your claim is rejected
⚠️
Many people are rejected at first — even when they are entitled to PIP. This is common. It does not mean you were wrong to apply.
1
Mandatory Reconsideration
This is the first formal challenge. Use your assessment recording and report to correct any errors. Most people need to do this.
2
Tribunal appeal
If Mandatory Reconsideration fails, you can appeal to a Tribunal. This can take a long time — sometimes years — but if you win, payments are backdated to your original application date.
3
Do not be put off by the decision letter
Decision letters are often discouraging and may contain inaccurate or misleading information. This is unfortunately very common. You have every right to challenge it.
Helpful Resources
PIP points system explained
benefitsandwork.co.uk — full scoring breakdown and key terms
PIP for autism — specific guidance
benefitsandwork.co.uk — autism and neurodivergence focused advice
Video: Understanding the PIP form
YouTube — plain language walkthrough (note: includes strong language)
Video: Filling in the PIP form and general advice
YouTube (note: includes strong language)
Video: Applying for mental health conditions
YouTube (note: includes strong language)
Video: Mandatory Reconsideration advice
YouTube (note: includes strong language)
Video: Short overview with book recommendation
YouTube — a more recent, concise introduction (note: includes strong language)
This guide was put together with input from Victoria, an Autism Bucks member with lived experience of the PIP process. It is for information only. If you have questions or would like support, please get in touch with Autism Bucks.