Personal Independence Payment (PIP) guide

This guide is intended to inform and assist you to complete the Personal Independence Payment (PIP) form. Including information to help with each section of the form, as well as guidance on keeping a diary to support your application. We recommend that you take some time to read this guide before completing your form.

If your condition varies from day to day, we suggest you keep a diary focusing on the activities considered for PIP. By doing so over time you will get a clearer picture of how you manage your daily living and mobility needs.

If you find it difficult to keep a diary, you could ask a relative, carer or friend to help you. Explain in the PIP form that your diary has been completed with their help.

When you attach the diary to the PIP form, include your name, address and National Insurance number at the top of every page. Longer term diaries can be useful in explaining more sporadic problems that can result from your condition.

Visit the points system and descriptions section for more information about scoring.

Although many people may be able to perform all the tasks involved in preparing a cooked main meal, things like fatigue, tiredness and weakness in the muscles may mean it would take them considerable time.

It is a measurement of your physical and mental capacity to carry out complex functions. The answers you give should show whether you are capable of performing certain necessary skills such as:

• manipulating or using cooking utensils
• turning taps on or off
• opening tins
• opening food packaging
• peeling or chopping vegetables
• lifting or moving hot pans and dishes safely

Think about all the different tasks involved preparing a main meal:

• does an inability to concentrate or think clearly make it difficult for you to plan a meal or perhaps you have difficulty remembering everything in the correct order or timings?
• do you use any aids to assist your memory and have you had any accidents or incidents such as burning food or pans?
• while peeling or chopping vegetables do you have difficulty gripping the knife and do you experience pain or discomfort?
• can you see what you are doing whilst preparing food and do you use aids and adaptions to assist you do this?
• do you need a perching stool whilst preparing food?
• do you have problems using various cooking utensils because of pain or discomfort and can you see to use them?
• do you use aids and adaptions to assist you to cook?
• if because of pain, fatigue or exhaustion you have to rest after completing a task, say so and for how long
• do you have to take a rest when preparing food?
• do you have problems with balance or dizziness which would make it dangerous for you, for example, when lifting or carrying pans and dishes containing hot liquids?
• have you had any accidents such as burns or scalds?
• do you have problems lifting pans or dishes due to pain, fatigue or weakness in your arms?
• do you need to use lightweight or adapted pans?
• do you have difficulty using the controls on the cooker and microwave or using water taps?
• do you use single lever taps or other aids or adaptions?
• do you have visual problems that make it difficult for you to read labels, instructions or use a cooker safely and do you use any aids or adaptions?
• do you have problems with memory or concentration that may mean you forget that you have turned on the gas or electricity?
• do you need to be told when food is cooked and do you use any aids to assist your memory?
• do you need supervision when preparing and cooking a meal or is it safe for you to cook a meal on your own?
• do you need to be told if food is fit to eat, for example, past its best by date?
• do you need motivating or prompting to cook and why?

Go into as much detail as possible and give an estimate of how much time it would take you to prepare a cooked meal, including the times you have to sit down and rest.

Think about the following with regards to eating and drinking when filling in the form:

• do you have the full use of your hands?
• do you have a disability that makes it difficult for you to grip or do you have a sight impairment?
• are you able to use a knife and fork at the same time or do you have difficulty when trying to cut up food, for example, due to painful joints like arthritis?
• does somebody help at meal times or do you have adapted cutlery?
• do you sometimes spill food or drink when trying to put it into your mouth, because of difficulty lifting your arms or a disability?
• do you need to be told that you have left food on your face or clothes and do you need support with this?
• if you spill food or drink, do you need help to change your clothes?
• do you have difficulty in chewing and swallowing food or do you need help with a feeding tube or similar aid?
• do you need prompting or encouraging to eat or drink and why? Go into as much detail as possible
• do you have difficulty locating food on your plate?
• do you need supervising when you eat or are you at risk of choking when eating or drinking?

Think about the following when filling in the form:

• do you ever forget to take your medication and do you have any aids or adaptions you use?
• what happens if you forget your medication?
• do you need help with physiotherapy at home?
• do you require help with dialysis treatment at home and what help do you require?
• do you require assistance with oxygen at home?
• do you need help to open containers or help to take your medication?
• do you have to use special containers for your medication and do you have any aids or adaptions you use?
• do you need help to ensure that you only take the prescribed amount each day?
• do you need someone to remind you to take your medicine at the right time or have problems with short term memory?
• do you have any aids or adaptions you use to take your medicine?
• do you attend clinics for outpatient treatment and how often?
• do you attend a day centre and how often?
• do you have counselling or therapy of any sort?
• do you need somebody to monitor your mental state or health, go into as much detail as possible about why you need assistance
• do you need to be supervised with medical treatment or do you need help or supervision monitoring blood sugar levels?
• go into as much detail as possible about why you need supervision

You should answer the question about having a bath or shower even if you never have one, as you may need one but have difficulty managing. If you need a bath every day say so.

Think about the following when filling in the form:

• are you unable to wash yourself properly without help, for example, because of muscle and joint pains or fatigue?
• do you use aids or adaptions?
• are you are tired or breathless after washing or bathing?
• do you have difficulty handling soap, squeezing a toothpaste tube, lifting your arms in order to wash round your neck, or using a towel to dry yourself?
• do you need help to wash or dry any area of your body, such as your back or feet?
• are you are only able to wash your hair with help?
• do you need help to comb your hair?
• do you need help to cut your finger or toe nails?
• if you shower because you cannot use the bath but would prefer a bath, say so
• can you use a shower without help and if not, explain why and what help you need?
• if you have a walk-in shower because you cannot use a conventional one say so
• are you in danger of slipping because of muscle weakness, giddiness or problems with balance?
• what help do you need getting in or out of the bath or shower?
• do you need to hold onto somebody or something for support or do you have aids or adaptions?
• have you fallen or slipped in the bath or shower?
• do you need somebody to be present in case you get into difficulties and say why?
• do you get dizzy or have breathing problems due to the heat or steam?
• if you have a bath or shower and you would like to use them but are unable to do so, say why
• are you frightened of falling when you bathe or shower?
• why are you frightened, have you previously fallen or had dizzy spells?
• do you need to be reminded to have a wash, bath or shower? Say what you need to be reminded of
• do you hear voices telling you not to wash, bath or shower and what do the voices say?
• do you need to be motivated or prompted to wash, bath or shower and what motivation or prompting do you need?

Some people understandably find it embarrassing to be honest about their personal needs but it is important to be clear about the help you need.

Think about the following when filling in the form:

• do you have difficulty getting to the toilet, perhaps you have to go upstairs or downstairs and you need help or you use a urine bottle or commode and need help cleaning or emptying
• do you need help from someone else to help you to the toilet?
• are you incontinent or are you unable to move quickly if you need to use the toilet urgently?
• do you need help to change your clothes if you are unable to reach the toilet in time?
• do you have a condition such as irritable bowel syndrome that means you must make frequent visits to the toilet?
• do you have problems getting on or off the toilet because of pain or stiffness for example?
• do you have a grab rail or use something else to get on or off the toilet?
• do you use any equipment like a raised seat rail, or the wall or the sink, to help lever yourself up?
• do you have problems adjusting your clothing before or after using the toilet?
• do you have difficulty pulling up or down clothing?
• does your disability make it difficult for you to wipe yourself or wash your hands afterwards?
• if you are a woman, do you need help with sanitary protection?
• do you get dizzy or have breathing problems due to the effort of going to the toilet?
• if you need help with any of the above, say so.

You may not have anyone to help you but you still manage to dress or undress yourself, although this may take some considerable time. If this is your situation put it on the form.

Think very carefully about how long it takes you to dress without help. Say how long you have to rest between each procedure or how because of fatigue you have to rest once you are dressed.

Think about the following when filling in the form:

• do you have difficulty putting certain items of clothing on, what is the problem and with what clothing?
• are you unable to bend over, reach behind your back or put your hands above your head and does this make it difficult to put on certain items of clothing?
• can you pull a jumper over your head?
• can you bend over to put on socks or tights and then pull them up?
• do you have difficulty with detailed tasks like buttons, zips or shoelaces and how do you overcome the difficulty?
• are you restricted to wearing front fastening clothing or Velcro attachments because you have difficulty managing back fastenings?
• do you need to support yourself by leaning against the wall or furniture while dressing?
• do you need to get dressed or undressed more than once a day, due to things like incontinence, spillages or sweating?
• do you need to be reminded to get dressed or undressed?
• do you have a disability such as a sight impairment?
• do you need motivating or prompting to get dressed and detail why?
• do you need help in locating your clothing?
• do you need assistance in choosing suitable clothing to wear?
• do you need to be told that your clothes match?
• do you need to be told if your clothes are appropriate for the weather?
• do you need to be told how to put your clothes on?

Think about all the times that you need somebody to help you communicate. Think about how you feel and if you able to manage. This can include reading emails, replying to letters, using the telephone or texting, and using sign language.

Try and keep a record of how many times you need help with verbal communication, how long for and how many days in the week. Give examples of the type of help needed.

Think about the following when filling in the form:

• do you need help or prompting to communicate and what help is needed to meet your needs?
• do you need a signer or can only communicate through signing?
• what happens if you cannot communicate, for example, in a shop, and do you use aids or adaptions to help you communicate?
• do you need someone to speak for you because you are not always able to express yourself clearly?
• do you have a speech impairment?
• does somebody have to attract your attention by touch or waving to speak to you?
• can you only communicate in quiet places and why?

Think about the following when filling in the form:

• do you have difficulties reading and understanding printed information in your own language?
• do you have problems which make it difficult for you to read? This can be anything from reading a book to a utility bill
• do you need someone to read to you and why?
• can you understand something when you have read it? If not, say what you cannot understand, for example recipes or instruction manuals
• do you have visual problems or a sight impairment?
• do you need someone to verbally guide you when you are outside, for example, with street names or signs?
• do you need help to read when you go elsewhere, for example, to the doctors, church, visiting friends or relatives, paying bills, social events or parents evenings. Make a list of what help you need and where you need it

Think about the following when filling in the form:

• do you have problems getting on with other people? If yes, say what, is it nerves or panic attacks or do you get anxious or distressed?
• do you have difficulties with people you don't know or everybody you know? Say how you feel meeting other people including strangers
• how do you manage on public transport such as buses and trains?
• are you able to go shopping and if so how do you manage?
• do you get nervous, anxious, distressed or have panic attacks? Say how you feel and or are affected
• do you get agitated or violent around other people? If yes, say why and how you feel. Write down any incidents you may have had

Record how you manage your finances. If you cannot manage your finances on your own, say so and state who helps you.

You should also think about the following when filling in the form:

• can you manage your money or does somebody have to assist you with your spending due to an illness or disability?                                   
• can you plan how you spend your money and are you able to budget for your rent, bills and shopping without help?
• can you work out the costs of goods and services and know how much you will have left over?
• what happens if you do not receive help? Do you get into arrears or are bills left unpaid?

Think about the following when filling in the form:

• can you plan a safe journey, for example, could you travel to Middlesbrough from Stockton safely on your own on public transport? If not say why
• do you need somebody to help you, for example, as a result of a learning disability?
• do you suffer from anxiety or panic attacks and have you had instances when this has happened?
• do you need somebody to guide you outdoors due to lack of motivation and what help do you need?
• do you need somebody to reassure you when walking as you hear voices telling you to do something else? If so what? Do the voices tell you to run into traffic? Have you had any incidents or accidents?
• do you need somebody to assist you walking as you have hallucinations?
• if you have a sight impairment, can you manage without a guide dog to get to your destination safely?
• have you ever got lost and had to ask directions from a stranger as you could not work this out for yourself?
• do you have aids and adaptions such as a white stick or long cane that help you in areas that you are not familiar with? Sat navs do not count unless specially designed for disabled people
• how do you manage on public transport such as buses and trains and do you need somebody to help you when to get on or off?

How far can you walk and how long does it take

We suggest that you get somebody to take you to a safe, flat location so they can accurately measure how far you can walk before you have to stop for the first time because you feel severe discomfort. This can be measured in steps if you are only able to walk a short distance. Severe discomfort can be caused by things like breathlessness, chest pain, muscle or joint pain, nausea or dizziness. In other words, anything that means you have to stop walking. Say how long it takes for you to recover from the effort of walking. Ask the person assisting you to time how long it takes you to walk the distance achieved.

How many days a week do you have difficulty walking

If you have altered your lifestyle to enable you to walk but you cannot walk in a normal manner, this does not mean you don't have any difficulties and therefore should be counted. You should also count days that you can walk if they are followed by several days when you are severely incapacitated because of the exertion of walking on previous days, for example, if you have to stay in bed or are then housebound with little or no mobility.

If you feel that you fit any of the above descriptions, you should say 6 to 7 days. This should not be considered as exaggerating but looking at your situation realistically. If you really do have 2 good days out of 7, then say 4 to 5 days.

Most people tend to overestimate their own capabilities and fill in their claim form accordingly. The decision maker only looks at the information given and many people entitled to benefit lose out because they have not thought things through objectively. Put as much relevant information as you can on the form preferably with some examples.

Think about the following when filling in the form:

• are you unable to walk at all?
• do you have difficulties with walking, what are they and how does it affect you?
• do you experience severe pain that stops you from supporting your own weight or move your legs and do you have to stop walking to recover?
• do you tire or get fatigued easily when walking and if you have to stop your journey, how long it is before you can continue?
• do you suffer from vertigo and need someone to steady you?
• do you have balance problems or suffer with dizziness or nausea?
• do you feel faint if you are out for any length of time and have you had any falls or accidents?
• do you get breathless when trying to walk and if you have to stop your journey, how long it is before you can continue?
• do you experience varying degrees of pain if you have to walk any distance indoors or outdoors? Describe any pain you suffer
• do you suffer from any tingling and numbness in your feet which may make it difficult to feel the ground when you walk which may cause you to stumble or trip?
• do you use furniture or walls to hold on to when moving around indoors?
• do you use a walking stick or walking frame to enable you to keep mobile?
• do you need assistance from another person to help you by supporting your weight?
• do you need a wheelchair or mobility scooter?

PIP uses a points system to determine if you will be awarded it or not. The points are based on the descriptor that best describes your condition.

A descriptor will apply to you if it reflects your ability for the majority of days meaning over half of them. This is considered over a 12-month period, looking back 3 months and forward 9 months.

Where one descriptor is satisfied on over half the days in that period, that descriptor will apply. Where two or more descriptors are satisfied on over half the days, the descriptor which scores the highest number of points will apply.

PIP does not separate your needs into day-time and night-time needs. Instead, a descriptor can apply to you if your condition affects your ability to complete a task at some stage of the day, on over half the days of the period.

This page outlines each descriptor and the related number of points.

The daily living component

Activity 1 - Preparing food and drink

a. can prepare and cook a simple meal unaided - 0 points

b. needs to use an aid or appliance to either prepare or cook a simple meal - 2 points

c. cannot cook a simple meal using a conventional cooker but is able to do so using a microwave - 2 points

d. needs prompting to be able to either prepare or cook a simple meal - 2 points

e. needs supervision or assistance to either prepare or cook a simple meal - 4 points

f. cannot prepare and cook food - 8 points

Activity 2 - Taking nutrition

a. can take nutrition unaided - 0 points

b. needs either i) to use an aid or appliance to be able to take nutrition, or ii) supervision to be able to take nutrition, or iii) assistance to be able to cut up food - 2 points

c. needs a therapeutic source to be able to take nutrition - 2 points

d. needs prompting to be able to take nutrition - 4 points

e. needs assistance to be able to manage a therapeutic source to take nutrition - 6 points

f. cannot convey food and drink to their mouth and needs another person to do so - 10 points

Activity 3 - Managing therapy or monitoring a health condition

a. either i) does not receive medication, or therapy or need to monitor a health condition, or ii) can manage medication or therapy or monitor a health condition unaided - 0 points

b. needs either i) to use an aid or appliance to be able to manage medication, or ii) supervision, prompting or assistance to manage medication or monitor a health condition - 1 point

c. needs supervision, prompting or assistance to be able to manage therapy that takes no more than 3.5 hours a week - 2 points

d. needs supervision, prompting or assistance to be able to manage therapy that takes more than 3.5 but no more than 7 hours a week - 4 points

e. needs supervision, prompting or assistance to be able to manage therapy that takes more than 7 but no more than 14 hours a week - 6 points

f. needs supervision, prompting or assistance to be able to manage therapy that takes more than 14 hours a week - 8 points

Activity 4 - Washing and bathing

a. can wash and bathe unaided - 0 points

b. needs to use an aid or appliance to be able to wash or bathe - 2 points

c. needs supervision or prompting to be able to wash or bathe - 2 points

d. needs assistance to be able to wash either their hair or body below the waist - 2 points

e. needs assistance to be able to get in or out of a bath or shower - 3 points

f. needs assistance to be able to wash their body between the shoulders and waist - 4 points

g. cannot wash and bathe at all and needs another person to wash their entire body - 8 points

Activity 5 - Managing toilet needs or incontinence

a. can manage toilet needs or incontinence unaided - 0 points

b. needs to use an aid or appliance to be able to manage toilet needs or incontinence - 2 points

c. needs supervision or prompting to be able to manage toilet needs - 2 points

d. needs assistance to be able to manage toilet needs - 4 points

e. needs assistance to be able to manage incontinence of either bladder or bowel - 6 points

f. needs assistance to be able to manage incontinence of both bladder and bowel - 8 points

Activity 6 - Dressing and undressing

a. can dress and undress unaided - 0 points

b. needs to use an aid or appliance to be able to dress or undress - 2 points

c. needs either i) prompting to be able to dress, undress or determine appropriate circumstances for remaining clothed, or ii) prompting or assistance to be able to select appropriate clothing - 2 points

d. needs assistance to be able to dress or undress their lower body - 2 points

e. needs assistance to be able to dress or undress their upper body - 4 points

f. cannot dress or undress at all - 8 points

Activity 7 - Communicating

a. can express and understand verbal information unaided - 0 points

b. needs to use an aid or appliance to be able to speak or hear - 2 points

c. needs communication support to be able to express or understand complex verbal information - 4 points

d. needs communication support to be able to express or understand basic verbal information - 8 points

e. cannot express or understand verbal information at all even with communication support - 12 points

Activity 8 - Reading and understanding signs, symbols and words

a. can read and understand basic and complex written information either unaided or using spectacles or contact lenses - 0 points

b. needs to use an aid or appliance, other than spectacles or contact lenses, to be able to read or understand either basic or complex written information - 2 points

c. needs prompting to be able to read or understand complex written information - 2 points

d. needs prompting to be able to read or understand basic written information - 4 points

e. cannot read or understand signs, symbols or words at all - 8 points

Activity 9 - Engaging with other people face to face

a. can engage with other people unaided - 0 points

b. needs prompting to be able to engage with other people - 2 points

c. needs social support to be able to engage other people - 4 points

d. cannot engage with other people due to such engagement causing either i) overwhelming psychological distress to the claimant, or ii) the claimant to exhibit behaviour which would result in a substantial risk of harm to the claimant or another person - 8 points

Activity 10 - Making financial decisions

a. can manage complex budgeting decisions unaided - 0 points

b. needs prompting or assistance to be able to make complex budgeting decisions - 2 points

c. needs prompting or assistance to be able to make simple budgeting decisions - 4 points

d. cannot make any budgeting decisions at all - 6 points

The mobility component

Activity 1 - Planning and following a journey

a. can plan and follow the route of a journey unaided - 0 points

b. needs prompting to be able to undertake any journey to avoid overwhelming psychological distress to the claimant - 4 points

c. cannot plan the route of a journey - 8 points

d. cannot follow the route of an unfamiliar journey without another person, assistance dog or orientation aid - 10 points

e. cannot undertake any journey because it would cause overwhelming psychological distress to the claimant - 10 points

f. cannot follow the route of a familiar journey without another person, an assistance dog or an orientation aid - 12 points

Activity 2 - Moving around

a. can stand and then move more than 200 metres either aided or unaided - 0 points

b. can stand and then move more than 50 metres but no more than 200 metres either aided or unaided - 4 points

c. can stand and then move unaided more than 20 metres but no more than 50 metres - 8 points

d. can stand and then move using an aid or appliance more than 20 metres but no more than 50 metres - 10 points

e. can stand and then move more than 1 metre but no more than 20 metres, either aided or unaided - 12 points

f. cannot, either aided or unaided, i) stand, or ii) move more than 1 metre - 12 points