What illnesses qualify for the Personal Independence Payment (UK)?

If you have a disability, illness or a mental/physical health condition then you might be wondering what illnesses qualify for the Personal Independence Payment in the UK, and whether you’re eligible?

Keep reading and we’ll answer those questions exactly.

How can PIP help me?

The Personal Independence Payment, better known as PIP replaced the Disability Living Allowance for all UK adults. A PIP allowance is a form of government support that gives extra money to help with the costs of everyday life for those who are disabled or who suffer from a long-term mental or physical health illness.

You can receive PIP on top of Employment and Support Allowance or other benefits you may already have. If you think you’re eligible for PIP, then you’ll be assessed by a health professional to work out the exact level of help you can get and for how long.

What illnesses qualify for the Personal Independence Payment in the UK?

Now, you might be wondering how you know if you’re eligible or not to receive PIP. Let’s start by looking at what illnesses and disabilities actually qualify for a Personal Independence Payment. 

There’s actually no specific PIP list of medical conditions in the UK. You can get PIP with any disability or condition, as long as you struggle with either daily living or mobility for three months. The Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) will expect your condition to continue for at least nine months to approve your claim for PIP. 

The only exception to this rule is if you’re terminally ill and a medical professional has said that you have less than six months to live.

PIP eligibility

It’s worth nothing that you don’t need to have worked or paid National Insurance to be eligible for PIP. It also doesn’t matter how much income you make, how many savings you have in the bank, or if you’re still working. 

One of the main criteria for qualifying for PIP is that you must be aged 16 or over and have not reached your State Pension age. To be eligible, you must also:

• Struggle with everyday tasks or find it hard to get around because of a physical or mental condition

• Have struggled for three months with this condition and expect to continue to do so for at least another nine months

• Be living in England, Wales or Scotland when applying for PIP

• Have lived in England, Wales or Scotland for at least two years (unless you’re a refugee or an immediate family member of a refugee)

The only exceptions to this criteria are those who are terminally ill or in the armed forces. The everyday tasks you might struggle with can include:

• Preparing and cooking food

• Eating and drinking

• Managing your treatments

• Washing and bathing

• Managing toilet needs or incontinence

• Dressing and undressing

• Communicating with other people

• Reading and understanding written information

• Mixing with others

• Making decisions about money

• Planning a journey or following a route

• Moving around

How much will I get and for how long?

The Department of Work and Pensions will base the amount of PIP you’ll get on your application. They’ll also determine how long you’ll receive it by working out the likelihood of your condition changing. 

You’ll usually receive PIP for a fixed amount of time, however, sometimes the DWP award it with no end date. If this happens to you, then be aware that they’re likely to review it every ten years. If you’re terminally ill, you’ll be awarded PIP for three years.

PIP has two components:

1. Daily living: This extra money is for the additional help you might need for day-to-day tasks, such as cooking food, washing, dressing or communicating with others

2. Mobility: This extra money is for the additional help you need to get around. This includes moving, following a route or planning a journey somewhere

Each of these can be paid at either a standard or enhanced rate:

If you receive either the Constant Attendance Allowance or the War Pensioners’ Mobility Supplement, the daily living part of your PIP will be reduced.

Is my PIP (Personal Independence Payment) taxable?

No! In the eyes of HMRC, a Personal Independence Payment allowance doesn’t count as taxable income, so it doesn’t affect the amount of tax you already pay. PIP is payable whether you’re in or out of work, and your salary and how many hours you work won’t affect it either.