What PIP is and who can explore
PIP (Personal Independence Payment) is a benefit from the UK government for people aged 16 to 64 who have a long-term health condition or disability that affects their daily life or mobility. It is not based on what you earn — it is based on how your condition affects what you can do.
You can explore if you have had a health condition or disability for at least three months and expect it to last at least nine months more. PIP is separate from other benefits you might receive, and you can claim it alongside work or other income.
The process process starts with a phone call to the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). You cannot explore online or by post — you must contact them first to begin your claim.
Key Takeaways
- You must call the DWP on 0800 917 2222 to start your PIP claim; there is no online process form to fill out first.
- The DWP will send you a detailed form called the PIP2 form after your phone call, which asks about how your condition affects daily activities and mobility.
- You will likely be invited for a face-to-face assessment with a healthcare professional, though some claims are decided on paper alone.
- The entire process from phone call to decision typically takes three to four months, though this varies.
- You can ask for support from a friend, family member, or adviser during your assessment and throughout the process.
Making the initial phone call to the DWP
Call the DWP on 0800 917 2222 to tell them you want to claim PIP. The line is open Monday to Friday, 8 am to 5 pm. Have your National Insurance number ready — you will find it on your payslip, tax return, or National Insurance card.
During the call, a DWP adviser will ask you basic questions about your health condition, when it started, and how it affects you. This call usually takes 15 to 20 minutes. You do not need to give a detailed account at this stage — the adviser is straightforward opening your claim and checking that you might be may be able to access.
If you find phone calls difficult, you can ask someone to call on your behalf, or you can ask the DWP to call you at a time that suits you. Tell the adviser if you need an interpreter or any other support during the process.
Completing the PIP2 form
After your phone call, the DWP will post you a form called the PIP2. This is a detailed questionnaire with sections on daily living and mobility. It asks how your condition affects things like washing, dressing, eating, moving around, and managing your medicines. You will have about four weeks to return it.
The form is long — often 20 to 30 pages — and the questions can feel repetitive. This is intentional. The DWP uses your answers to understand what you struggle with and why. Be specific about what you cannot do or find very difficult, and explain why. For example, instead of writing "I have trouble walking", write "I can walk about 50 metres before my legs hurt so much I have to sit down for 10 minutes".
You can ask for help filling in the form. Citizens information, disability charities, and local welfare rights services offer free support. You can also ask a friend or family member to help you write down your answers. If you cannot read or write, you can ask the DWP to send you a different format or to help you over the phone.
Send the form back by the important date. If you cannot meet it, contact the DWP and ask for an extension — they usually grant them if you have a good reason.
The assessment appointment
Most people are invited to a face-to-face assessment with a healthcare professional. This is not a medical examination — the assessor is not a doctor checking your condition, but someone trained to observe how you move and manage tasks, and to listen to what you tell them about your daily life.
The assessment usually takes 30 to 60 minutes. The assessor will ask you questions based on your PIP2 form and may watch you do straightforward tasks like standing up, walking a short distance, or picking something up. They will write a report that goes to the DWP decision maker.
You have the right to bring someone with you — a friend, family member, carer, or adviser. Tell the DWP when you book the appointment if you need support, an interpreter, or a different format (for example, if you are deaf or hard of hearing). If you cannot attend on the day, contact the DWP as soon as possible to reschedule.
Some claims are decided without an assessment. This happens if the DWP thinks your form gives them enough information, or if your condition is so severe that an assessment would not change the outcome. You will be told if this applies to you.
What happens after the assessment
After your assessment, the DWP sends your case to a decision maker who reads the assessor's report, your PIP2 form, and any other evidence you have provided. They decide whether you meet the criteria for PIP and, if you do, which rate you receive.
PIP has two components: daily living and mobility. Each can be awarded at a standard rate or an enhanced rate, depending on how much help you need. You might receive one component, both, or neither. The DWP will write to you with their decision and explain how they reached it.
The whole process from your phone call to a decision usually takes three to four months, though some cases take longer if more information is needed or if there is a backlog. You will be told roughly how long your case is expected to take.
If you disagree with the decision
If the DWP turns down your claim or awards you a lower rate than you expected, you can ask them to look at the decision again. This is called a mandatory reconsideration. You have one month from the date of the letter to ask for one.
Write to the address on your decision letter and explain why you think the decision is wrong. You can include new evidence, such as a letter from your doctor or a recent hospital report. The DWP will send your case to a different decision maker who will look at everything again.
If you are still unhappy after mandatory reconsideration, you can appeal to the independent tribunal. This is a free process, and you can get help from Citizens information or a disability charity.
Getting support during your claim
You do not have to go through this process alone. Free support is available from Citizens information, local welfare rights services, and disability charities. They can help you understand the form, prepare for your assessment, and challenge a decision if needed.
You can also ask your GP or hospital doctor to write a letter supporting your claim. This is not required, but it can be useful evidence. Some people also gather letters from people who know them well — a carer, family member, or friend — describing how their condition affects them day to day.
If you are struggling financially while you wait for a decision, you may be able to get help through other benefits or local support schemes. Ask your local council or a welfare rights adviser what might be available to you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a doctor's letter to claim PIP?
No, a doctor's letter is not required. The DWP makes their decision based on your form and assessment. However, a letter from your GP or hospital can be useful evidence, especially if it describes how your condition affects your daily life. You can ask your doctor to write one, though they may charge a fee.
What if I cannot attend my assessment appointment?
Contact the DWP as soon as possible and explain why you cannot attend. They will usually reschedule you for another date. If you have a reason that makes it very difficult to attend in person — for example, you cannot leave your home — tell the DWP. In some cases they may arrange a telephone or video assessment instead, though this is not may provide.
Can someone help me fill in the PIP2 form?
Yes. You can ask a friend, family member, carer, or adviser to help you. Citizens information and disability charities offer free support with the form. You can also ask the DWP to help you if you cannot read or write, or if you need the form in a different language or format.
How long does it take to get a decision?
Most claims take three to four months from your initial phone call to a final decision. Some take longer if the DWP needs more information or if there is a backlog. You will be given an estimate when you call to start your claim.
What if I am already receiving another disability benefit?
You can claim PIP at the same time as other benefits like Employment and Support Allowance or Disability Living Allowance. PIP is not means-tested, so your other income does not affect whether you can receive it. However, if you are currently on Disability Living Allowance, you will eventually be invited to claim PIP instead.