When applying for Personal Independence Payment (PIP), you will be assessed by a health professional and awarded points based on your ability to carry out certain everyday tasks. The amount of points you score determines whether you are eligible for PIP and at what rate.
The PIP Points System
PIP has a points system that is used to determine your eligibility:
- Each component (daily living and mobility) is scored out of 12 points
- Within each component there are descriptors worth different scores based on your abilities
- To be eligible for PIP you need to score:
- 8 points or more for the daily living component
- 8 points or more for mobility component
So in total, if you score 8 points in one component, you will have enough points for the standard rate of that component. If you score 8 points or more in both components, you will qualify for PIP. If you score 12 points in one component, you qualify for the enhanced rate.
Daily Living Component
The daily living component looks at your ability to carry out basic daily tasks such as:
- Preparing food
- Washing and bathing
- Managing toilet needs
- Dressing and undressing
- Communicating
- Reading
- Engaging with other people
- Making budgeting decisions
Each activity is assigned a descriptor with a points score. The descriptor that best reflects your ability level is awarded. So for example, if you need prompting to be able to wash yourself, you would score 2 points for that activity.
Daily Living Points Scores
| Descriptor | Points |
|---|---|
| Can carry out task unaided | 0 |
| Needs prompting | 2 |
| Needs supervision or assistance | 4 |
| Cannot carry out task | 8 |
| Requires social support to be able to engage with other people | 10 |
| Cannot engage with other people due to such engagement causing overwheling psychological distress | 12 |
Mobility Component
The mobility component looks at your physical ability to get around. This covers tasks like:
- Standing and sitting
- Moving around
- Leaving the home
- Traveling distances
Again, each activity is assigned a descriptor and points score. If you can stand and sit unaided, you would score 0 points for that activity. But if you need physical assistance to be able to move between rooms, you may score 6 points.
Mobility Points Scores
| Descriptor | Points |
|---|---|
| Can stand and sit unaided | 0 |
| Needs prompting to be able to stand or sit | 2 |
| Needs assistance to be able to stand and sit | 4 |
| Cannot stand or sit | 8 |
| Can stand and move unaided | 0 |
| Needs prompting to be able to stand and move | 2 |
| Needs assistance to be able to stand and move | 4 |
| Cannot stand or move | 8 |
| Can mobilize unaided | 0 |
| Needs prompting to mobilize | 2 |
| Needs assistance to mobilize | 4 |
| Cannot mobilize | 8 |
| Can travel unaided | 0 |
| Needs prompting to travel | 2 |
| Needs assistance to travel | 4 |
| Cannot travel | 8 |
| None of the above apply | 0 |
Can You Get PIP With 4 Points?
To receive PIP, you need to score at least 8 points in one component. So if you only scored 4 points in both daily living and mobility, you would not have enough points to qualify for PIP.
Here are some examples of scoring 4 points:
- Needing prompting to complete tasks like washing, cooking, or dressing – 2 points
- Needing assistance to mobilize around the home – 2 points
- Needing someone to monitor you closely to keep you safe – 2 points
- Needing prompting and assistance to engage with other people – 2 points
While those limitations certainly impact your daily life, 4 points in one component is not enough for PIP. You need to score 8 points or more in one component, or 8 points in both.
When Can You Get PIP With 4 Points?
The only way to get PIP with 4 points is if you score:
- 4 points in both daily living and mobility components
So if you scored 4 points for needing support with washing and dressing, and 4 points for needing assistance to mobilize around the home, you would have 4 points in each component, totalling 8 overall points. This would meet the requirement for the standard rate daily living component.
Should You Still Apply for PIP?
Even if you don’t think you will have enough points for PIP, it is still worth applying. Here’s why:
- The assessment looks at your worst days – you may have good and bad days which vary in severity
- Make sure you fully explain your needs and how your condition affects you
- The health professional may award you more points than you expected
- PIP rules change over time – you may qualify in future even if you don’t currently
It’s free to apply for PIP and having an assessment gives you a chance to qualify. If you are unsuccessful, you can appeal the decision which may lead to getting awarded more points.
How to Maximize Your Chances of Getting PIP
Here are some tips for applying for PIP if you are borderline or feel you fall short of the criteria:
- Explain how your condition fluctuates – detail your worst days
- Ask your doctor for a detailed report outlining how your condition affects you
- Keep a diary for 4 weeks before applying, recording details of how you manage everyday tasks
- Have someone help you complete the forms who understands your condition
- Provide supporting evidence like prescription lists, appointment letters, care plans
- Mention all the help and support you need, even if from relatives
- Attend the assessment and explain exactly how you are affected face-to-face
Really focus on presenting how your condition impacts you, the help you need, the pain or fatigue you experience and how your life is limited. Provide as much detail as possible to the health professional carrying out the assessment.
What Support is Available if You Don’t Qualify for PIP?
If you don’t have enough points for PIP, here are some other benefits or support that may help:
- Universal Credit – financial support with basic living costs
- Employment and Support Allowance – income replacement if unable to work due to illness or disability
- Council Tax Reductions – decreases your council tax bill based on income
- Disability Grants – grants from charities to help purchase equipment or pay for care needs
- Talk to your local council about social care assessments – you may qualify for home help or financial support
- Contact your council or local disability charities for information on local services and resources available
Even if you don’t qualify for PIP, make sure you are accessing all the other support available. Your local council or a disability advisor should be able to help advise you.
Appealing a PIP Decision
If you apply for PIP and are unsuccessful, you have the right to appeal the decision. There are several stages to a PIP appeal:
- Mandatory Reconsideration – DWP looks at decision again
- Appeal tribunal – Case heard by independent panel
- Upper tribunal – If you disagree with appeal tribunal decision
Appeals have a high success rate, with around 70% overturned at tribunal. It’s worth appealing if you feel the decision was wrong or didn’t fully consider your circumstances. You can provide more medical evidence and have support at the tribunal to help argue your case.
How to Appeal a PIP Decision
Follow these steps to appeal a rejected PIP claim:
- Request ‘Mandatory Reconsideration’ within 1 month of decision
- Provide extra information explaining why the decision is wrong
- If reconsideration fails, appeal to tribunal within 1 month
- Gather supporting evidence for your appeal
- Attend tribunal hearing to explain how you are affected
It’s important to act quickly after a PIP rejection and provide detailed information to boost your chances of a successful appeal. Advice organizations like Citizens Advice can help with the appeal process.
Conclusion
You need to score at least 8 points in one component, or 8 points across both components combined, to qualify for PIP. If you only have 4 points in one component, you will not have enough points for PIP.
The only exception is if you score 4 points in both daily living and mobility components, totalling 8 overall points. This would qualify you for the standard rate daily living component.
Make sure you thoroughly explain your condition and how it impacts your daily life when applying for PIP. If you are rejected and feel the decision is unfair, you have the right to request a mandatory reconsideration or appeal to tribunal.