Personal Independence Payment
Personal Independence Payment (PIP) is a benefit you can claim if you need extra help with day-to-day activities or have trouble getting around due to your health or condition.
In most cases you need to be under State Pension age to claim PIP for the first time, and it's available if you live in England, Wales or Northern Ireland.
On this page
- What is Personal Independence Payment?
- Do I claim PIP, Attendance Allowance or Disability Living Allowance?
- PIP components
- Do I qualify?
- How much will I get?
- How is PIP paid?
- How do I claim?
- What happens after I claim?
- If you're not happy with the decision
- What if my condition gets worse in the future?
- Does PIP affect other benefits?
- What if I go into a hospital or care home?
- Changes to PIP
- Get more support from our helpline
- Download this information as a PDF
What is Personal Independence Payment (PIP)?
If you need extra help with day-to-day activities or have trouble getting around due to a disability or illness like Parkinson's, you may be able to claim PIP. It's available in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
To qualify, you have to have had problems looking after yourself or with your mobility for at least 13 weeks and expect your problems to last another 39 weeks.
PIP is for you, not for a carer (if you have one), and you don't need to have someone supporting or caring for you to qualify. If you're awarded PIP, it's up to you how you use it.
PIP isn't taxable and you don't need to have paid National Insurance contributions to get it either. You can claim PIP whether you're in or out of work. PIP isn't means-tested. So it's not affected by your earnings, other benefits you receive, or by any savings you have.
Getting PIP may increase the amount of any means-tested benefits you receive, such as Housing Benefit or income-related Employment and Support Allowance.
What if I'm in Scotland?
Adult Disability Payment is the equivalent benefit to PIP in Scotland. It was introduced in 2024, replacing PIP. It has similar rules and eligibility criteria. Read our information about Adult Disability Payment.
Do I claim PIP, Attendance Allowance or Disability Living Allowance?
If you're making your first claim for PIP, in most cases you'll need to start your claim before you reach State Pension age. Find out your State Pension Age on the GOV.UK website.
Once you're awarded PIP, you can carry on receiving the benefit no matter what age you are.
If you're above pension age, you may be able to claim Attendance Allowance instead. See our information about Attendance Allowance.
Disability Living Allowance is an older benefit being replaced by newer benefits. You can no longer claim it. If you already get Disability Living Allowance and you were born on or after 8 April 1948, at some point your Disability Living Allowance will end and you'll be asked to claim PIP instead.
If you already get Disability Living Allowance and you were born before 8 April 1948, you'll continue getting Disability Living Allowance no matter what age you are, and you can't make a new claim for PIP.
PIP components
PIP has 2 parts – a 'daily living component' and a 'mobility component'. You can get either component or both together, depending on your needs.
- The daily living component helps cover extra costs so you can carry out your daily living activities.
- The mobility component helps cover the extra costs you may face if you have difficulties getting around.
Both are paid at 2 different rates – a standard rate and an enhanced rate.
The rate you're paid depends on whether your ability to carry out daily living or mobility activities is limited or severely limited. This is tested under the PIP assessment (see below).
If you qualify for the enhanced rate of the mobility component, you may be able to join the Motability scheme. This lets you use the enhanced rate to get a new car, powered wheelchair or scooter.
You'll also automatically qualify for the Blue Badge scheme, which allows people with mobility problems to park closer to places, services or facilities you may want to visit or use.
Find out more about the Motability and Blue Badge schemes on our Help with getting around page.
Do I qualify?
The basic conditions
To qualify for PIP, you must meet the following basic conditions:
- If you're making a new claim for PIP you must be 16 or over and under State Pension age (unless you're moving across from Disability Living Allowance - see above).
- You must have been present in Great Britain (or Northern Ireland, if you live there) for 2 out of the last 3 years before claiming. If you're terminally ill, you need to be present in Great Britain but the time conditions don't apply.
- Your immigration status must not prevent you from claiming.
The disability conditions
You must also meet the disability conditions to get PIP. The disability conditions look at your daily living and mobility needs. These are worked out by the PIP assessment.
You must have met the disability conditions for at least 3 months before you can get PIP (you won't have to wait a further 3 months for payment if you've already met the conditions for 3 months or more before making your claim).
You must also be likely to continue to meet the disability conditions for 9 months in the future.
If you're terminally ill, the 3 and 9-month rules don't apply. The terminally ill rule asks for a medical professional to confirm that their patient might have 12 months or less to live. If this is the case, you'll automatically receive the enhanced rate for daily living and will be assessed on your mobility needs.
The PIP assessment
The PIP assessment is a test of your ability to take part in everyday life. The criteria are based on your inability to perform different activities relating to certain daily living needs and your mobility. You're given points depending on your difficulties.
The number of points you score will determine whether or not you're entitled to either component of PIP and, if you are, at which rate.
The Department for Work and Pensions will assess you for PIP by asking you to fill out the 'How your disability affects you' form. This may be followed by an assessment with a health professional on the phone or face-to-face (see more details below).
The daily living activities
Your ability to carry out daily living activities is assessed by looking at 10 types of activity. These are:
- preparing food
- taking nutrition (eating and drinking)
- managing therapy or monitoring a health condition
- washing and bathing
- managing toilet needs or incontinence
- dressing and undressing
- communicating verbally
- reading and understanding signs, symbols and words
- engaging with other people face-to-face
- making budgeting decisions.
The mobility activities
Your ability to carry out mobility activities is assessed by looking at 2 types of activity:
- planning and following journeys
- moving around.
Scoring points
Each of the activity headings above have a series of 'descriptors', with scores ranging from 0 to 12 points. The descriptors describe related tasks of various levels of difficulty and the different types of help you need to complete each task.
You score points for the descriptor that best describes the level at which you can complete the task safely, to an acceptable standard, repeatedly and in a reasonable amount of time.
The highest descriptor scores from each activity heading are added together to work out your points for each component.
To be entitled to the standard rate of the daily living component, you need to score at least 8 points under the 10 daily living activity headings. To be entitled to the enhanced rate, you need to score at least 12 points.
Likewise, to be entitled to the standard rate of the mobility component, you need to score at least 8 points under the 2 mobility activity headings. For the enhanced rate, you need to score at least 12 points.
What if my condition fluctuates?
A descriptor will apply to you if you're unable to complete a task on the majority (more than half) of days. This will be considered over a 12-month period, looking back 3 months and forward 9 months.
Where you meet 1 descriptor on over half the days in that period, that descriptor will apply. Where 2 or more descriptors are satisfied on over half the days, the descriptor that scores the highest number of points will apply.
If you're not sure which descriptors apply to you, keeping a diary over a week may help you describe your problems.
Activity 1: Preparing food
A. Can prepare and cook a simple meal unaided. Score 0
B. Needs to use an aid or appliance to be able to either prepare or cook a simple meal. Score 2
C. Cannot cook a simple meal using a conventional cooker but is able to do so using a microwave. Score 2
D. Needs prompting to be able to either prepare or cook a simple meal. Score 2
E. Needs supervision or assistance to either prepare or cook a simple meal. Score 4
F. Cannot prepare and cook food. Score 8
Activity 2: Taking nutrition
A. Can take nutrition unaided. Score 0
B. Needs (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. Score 2
C. Needs a therapeutic source to be able to take nutrition. Score 2
D. Needs prompting to be able to take nutrition. Score 4
E. Needs assistance to be able to manage a therapeutic source to take nutrition. Score 6
F. Cannot convey food and drink to their mouth and needs another person to do so. Score 10
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. Score 0
B. Needs any one or more of the following: (i) to use an aid or appliance to be able to manage medication (ii) supervision, prompting or assistance to be able to manage medication (iii) supervision, prompting or assistance to be able to monitor a health condition. Score 1
C. Needs supervision, prompting or assistance to be able to manage therapy that takes no more than 3.5 hours a week. Score 2
D. Needs supervision, prompting or assistance to be able to manage therapy that takes more than 3.5 but no more than seven hours a week. Score 4
E. Needs supervision, prompting or assistance to be able to manage therapy that takes more than seven but no more than 14 hours a week. Score 6
F. Needs supervision, prompting or assistance to be able to manage therapy that takes more than 14 hours a week. Score 8
Activity 4: Washing and bathing
A. Can wash and bathe unaided. Score 0
B. Needs to use an aid or appliance to be able to wash or bathe. Score 2
C. Needs supervision or prompting to be able to wash or bathe. Score 2
D. Needs assistance to be able to wash either their hair or body below the waist. Score 2
E. Needs assistance to be able to get in or out of a bath or shower. Score 3
F. Needs assistance to be able to wash their body between the shoulders and waist. Score 4
G. Cannot wash and bathe at all and needs another person to wash their entire body. Score 8
Activity 5: Managing toilet needs or incontinence
A. Can manage toilet needs or incontinence unaided. Score 0
B. Needs to use an aid or appliance to be able to manage toilet needs or incontinence. Score 2
C. Needs supervision or prompting to be able to manage toilet needs. Score 2
D. Needs assistance to be able to manage toilet needs. Score 4
E. Needs assistance to be able to manage incontinence of either bladder or bowel. Score 6
F. Needs assistance to be able to manage incontinence of both bladder and bowel. Score 8
Activity 6: Dressing and undressing
A. Can dress and undress unaided. Score 0
B. Needs to use an aid or appliance to be able to dress or undress. Score 2
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. Score 2
D. Needs assistance to be able to dress or undress their lower body. Score 2
E. Needs assistance to be able to dress or undress their upper body. Score 4
F. Cannot dress or undress at all. Score 8
Activity 7: Communicating verbally
A. Can express and understand verbal information unaided. Score 0
B. Needs to use an aid or appliance to be able to speak or hear. Score 2
C. Needs communication support to be able to express or understand complex verbal information. Score 4
D. Needs communication support to be able to express or understand basic verbal information. Score 8
E. Cannot express or understand verbal information at all even with communication support. Score 12
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. Score 0
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. Score 2
C. Needs prompting to be able to read or understand complex written information. Score 2
D. Needs prompting to be able to read or understand basic written information. Score 4
E. Cannot read or understand signs, symbols or words at all. Score 8
Activity 9: Engaging with other people face-to-face
A. Can engage with other people unaided. Score 0
B. Needs prompting to be able to engage with other people. Score 2
C. Needs social support to be able to engage with other people. Score 4
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. Score 8
Activity 10: Making budgeting decisions
A. Can manage complex budgeting decisions unaided. Score 0
B. Needs prompting or assistance to be able to make complex budgeting decisions. Score 2
C. Needs prompting or assistance to be able to make simple budgeting decisions. Score 4
D. Cannot make any budgeting decisions at all. Score 6
Activity 11: Planning and following journeys
A. Can plan and follow the route of a journey unaided. Score 0
B. Needs prompting to be able to undertake any journey to avoid overwhelming psychological distress to the claimant. Score 4
C. Cannot plan the route of a journey. Score 8
D. Cannot follow the route of an unfamiliar journey without another person, assistance dog or orientation aid. Score 10
E. Cannot undertake any journey because it would cause overwhelming psychological distress to the claimant. Score 10
F. Cannot follow the route of a familiar journey without another person, an assistance dog or an orientation aid. Score 12
Activity 12: Moving around
A. Can stand and then move more than 200 metres, either aided or unaided. Score 0
B. Can stand and then move more than 50 metres but no more than 200 metres, either aided or unaided. Score 4
C. Can stand and then move unaided more than 20 metres but no more than 50 metres. Score 8
D. Can stand and then move using an aid or appliance more than 20 metres but no more than 50 metres. Score 10
E. Can stand and then move more than one metre but no more than 20 metres, either aided or unaided. Score 12
F. Cannot, either aided or unaided, (i) stand, or (ii) move more than one metre. Score 12
How much will I get?
Each component of PIP has 2 rates: a standard rate and an enhanced rate. The rate you receive depends on how many points you score in the PIP assessment (see above).
The rates per week for the daily living component are:
- Standard rate £73.90
- Enhanced rate £110.40
The rates per week for the mobility component are:
- Standard rate £29.20
- Enhanced rate £77.05
How is PIP paid?
It's normally paid every 4 weeks into a bank, building society or Credit Union card account.
How do I claim?
To make a claim if you're in England or Wales, call 0800 917 2222 (textphone 0800 917 7777). In Northern Ireland call 0800 012 1573 (textphone 0800 587 0937).
Someone else can make this call on your behalf, but you need to be with them when they do so, unless you're terminally ill.
During this call, you'll need to provide details including your personal and contact details, National Insurance number and details of your bank or building society (for payment purposes). It will help if you have this information ready when you make the call.
You'll be asked for details of your GP and hospital specialist. You shouldn't be asked how your medical condition affects you at this stage.
If you find it difficult to use the phone, and don't have someone to help, it's possible to use a paper claim form (although this can delay the decision and start date on your claim). To request the PIP1 application form, write to: Personal Independence Payment, New Claims, Post Handling Site B, Wolverhampton WV99 1AH.
In Northern Ireland the address is: FREEPOST RTRT-EKUG-KXJR, PIP MOU, PO Box 42, Limavady, BT49 4AN.
You can only apply for PIP online in certain areas. Find out more about applying online for PIP on the GOV.UK website.
What happens after I claim?
If you meet the basic qualifying conditions (see previous section 'Do I qualify?'), you'll be sent a form to fill in called 'How your disability affects you'.
You'll have 1 month to fill in the form (you can ask for an extension if you need one).
You may then have an assessment with a healthcare professional.
Filling in the 'How your disability affects you' form
This form gives you the chance to describe how your Parkinson's affects your daily life. Make sure to carefully read through how the points system for PIP works (above), and have a look through the form before filling it in.
We've also put together some questions to think about, and some example answers below you may be able to use.
You may want to write in pencil first, or make some notes on separate sheets of paper, before filling in the form in pen. You can now complete the form online before printing it off to send via post, or submit it electronically.
If you have difficulty writing and don't have someone who could help fill in the form for you, contact the Parkinson's UK helpline for support - we're here for you.
The form will first ask for details of the professionals who are best placed to give information on how your disability or health condition affects you.
These can include social workers and support workers, as well as medical professionals such as your GP. It's a good idea to put details of the professionals who know your problems best, like your Parkinson's nurse.
Whoever you put down, contact them and let them know that you're applying for PIP and have included their contact details on the form. Make it clear that you give permission for them to discuss your condition, as this will help to speed up the process and may help you avoid having a face-to-face consultation.
Most of the form is made up of questions about your day-to-day life, relating to the points-based PIP assessment. You get points for what you can't manage, not for what you can. It's important to be clear about your difficulties, so you're assessed accurately.
Give yourself plenty of time to complete the form – you don't have to do it all in 1 sitting.
When thinking about which descriptor should apply to you, ask yourself the following questions:
- Would you have problems with this sort of task at some point in the day?
- Do you need help to complete the task? If so, what kind of help do you need? Does someone need to physically help you, reassure you, encourage you, remind you or explain to you how to do something? Or do they need to supervise or watch over you?
- Do you use aids or appliances to help you with a task? If so, say what they are and how useful they are.
- Can you do some parts of the task but not others?
- Are you unable to do the task at all? Explain why.
- Can you do a task but it takes you at least twice as long as it should?
- Can you do this task as often as you need to throughout the day?
- Do your needs change? Explain in what way and how often. Describe your good and bad days or how your needs vary throughout the day.
- Do you regularly have accidents (such as falls) or are you at risk of having accidents if attempting the task alone?
- Do you have any side effects from doing the task?
- Do you experience pain, breathlessness, tiredness or stress and anxiety either before, during or after the task?
For some of these points, it might help to keep a diary of your needs.
Below are some examples of answers you could give on the form. These are intended as a guide only. Parkinson's affects everyone differently, so before writing your answers, think carefully about how your condition affects you from day to day.
Daily living activities
Preparing food
Some people with Parkinson's may have problems with their grip, such as holding a hot pan. You may need a perching stool or have other issues with balance around the kitchen.
You may also need to use pre-chopped or prepared food, or need to have someone there to help or supervise in case of accidents, or to prompt if you have memory problems.
Example response:
"Because of my tremor I don't feel confident handling pans full of food or hot water. I cannot grip utensils properly, and don't have the muscle control to be able to cut or chop food.
"I also have balance problems, so standing in the kitchen for any period of time is difficult. This is why I need supervision or assistance to be able to prepare and cook a simple meal."
Taking nutrition
Some people with Parkinson's will need help to eat food or drink because of swallowing problems, which can cause choking. You may also need prompting because of memory problems.
In some cases, people are able to eat their food and drink liquids unsupervised, but you might need some help with preparation, such as cutting up food.
Example response:
"I have problems eating because I have swallowing problems and I have a hand tremor. This causes a fear of choking, so I don't eat unless I have help, which has led to weight loss.
"I use various aids to help me eat and often need help to cut up food, as I find it difficult to grip cutlery."
Managing therapy or monitoring a health condition
Some people with Parkinson's need to take lots of medication, for which you may need a pill box or a pill timer.
A special diet can be seen as therapy. Some people may be on apomorphine injections or infusions. You may need physiotherapy, which can count towards the total number of hours of therapy needed each week.
Example response:
"I need apomorphine injections, which I take between doses of my usual medication. I can't do this myself so my partner has been trained how to do it.
"My partner also administers my ready-to-use injection pen that works within 10 minutes and is often used as a 'rescue' measure, usually when I have a sudden, unpredictable 'off' period. Because of this, I need constant, 24-hour supervision to manage my Parkinson's.”
Washing and bathing
Many people with Parkinson's are likely to need assistance getting in and out of a bath or shower. You may also need some form of adaptation, for example a shower seat, walk-in shower, or grab handles by the bath. Some people have difficulties washing their body.
Example response:
"I have very limited mobility and spend most of the day in a wheelchair. I need two carers to visit me twice a day – one in the morning and one in the evening. I need the evening carer to help me get in and out of the bath as I struggle to safely stand."
Managing toilet needs or incontinence
Some people with Parkinson's will develop incontinence problems, or have difficulties reaching the toilet in time, possibly due to mobility or dexterity issues.
Many people with Parkinson's may need to use continence pads, or need someone to prompt, supervise or assist them in going to the toilet.
Example response:
"I have a lot of difficulty with bladder and bowel problems. I have to visit the toilet several times during the night. This can be incredibly difficult, because sometimes I can't move quickly enough to get to the toilet on time. I have an 'accident' at least once a week, and need help cleaning myself afterwards.
"I need to keep a hand-held urinal next to my bed. I also experience terrible constipation. I have a raised toilet seat because of my mobility problems. It is difficult to get down on to the toilet and to get up again."
Dressing and undressing
Some people with Parkinson's have problems with dexterity and fine finger movements, such as tying laces or doing up buttons. Some people use adapted clothing.
You may have balance problems or pain with dressing and undressing, including issues such as putting on shoes.
Example response:
"I need a lot of help getting dressed. My body is always very rigid in the mornings and until my medication kicks in, moving is very difficult.
"Dexterity is a huge problem and I have great difficulty with fine finger movements – tying laces or doing up buttons is sometimes impossible.
"Due to rigidity and stiffness, bending down is a daily problem, so I need help putting on shoes and socks. It takes about 3 times as long to get dressed as it did before I had Parkinson's."
Communicating verbally
Some people with Parkinson's have problems with hearing and use a hearing aid. Others need a communication aid for their voice.
Example response:
"I find verbal communication very difficult. My voice is very quiet and sometimes my speech is slurred.
"I also find it hard to begin speaking and experience slowness of thought, so following fast-changing topics, interrupting conversations or even giving answers to simple questions can be very challenging. I often end up giving minimal responses, which leaves me feeling isolated and frustrated."
Reading and understanding signs, symbols and words
Some people with Parkinson's have problems with memory and understanding, including slowness of thought, recalling memories or making decisions.
Example response:
"Because of memory problems I have severe problems with attention and concentration. I also get very fatigued, so I need a lot of help and support to be able to read or understand newspaper or magazine articles or instructions for how to use household appliances."
Engaging other people face-to-face
Some people with Parkinson's may get extremely anxious or distressed meeting people and may need constant support to engage. This may be due to cognitive issues such as dementia.
Example response:
"Anxiety is a symptom of Parkinson's and I experience this often, especially when in crowds of people, causing overwhelming distress. I often 'freeze'. This makes my anxiety a lot worse, so social situations are difficult for me, sometimes causing overwhelming distress.
"I have difficulty making facial expressions because of rigid facial muscles. This makes it difficult to express my emotions, and I am often misunderstood. This causes a barrier and distress, so I need support from my husband."
Mobility activities
Planning and following journeys
Some people with Parkinson's will get extremely anxious or distressed when going out and need someone to accompany them – especially on an unfamiliar journey.
You may also avoid going out because of the fear of freezing (where you suddenly cannot move) or falling. You may have visual problems due to Parkinson's and feel unsafe getting out and about without help.
Example response:
"I can't follow the route of an unfamiliar journey without my carer. I easily get confused, and being in unfamiliar situations or places causes stress, which makes my symptoms worse. I also freeze and often fall, so I am afraid to go out by myself."
Moving around
Most people with Parkinson's experience problems with movement. You may not be able to physically move, or may feel so fatigued by doing so that you need to stabilise yourself by leaning on furniture.
Some people may feel so nauseous, exhausted and 'switched off' that they have to often lie down.
If you receive 8 points or more on this activity, you may automatically qualify for a Blue Badge.
When completing this part of the form, don't make guesses. If you're not sure how far you can walk before feeling severe discomfort, go outside on an average day and test yourself (if your condition varies, don't choose a good day to do the test).
Find a safe location on level ground. Walk until you feel that you're unable to continue (if it's safe for you to do so). Remember you'll need to return to your starting point.
Record what happens and when, in terms of distance and time (you may find it helpful to have someone with you to record both of these). Include factors such as pain, dizziness, co-ordination difficulties, stumbles and tiredness. Note how long it takes you to recover before you feel able to walk again. Write down your findings on the form.
Example response:
"On most days, I can stand and walk using a Zimmer frame and manage between 10 and 20 metres. I get fatigued very easily, and so need a recovery time after walking this distance (usually around 10 minutes).
"My condition fluctuates from day to day, and sometimes I can't manage to walk at all. I fall often if I don't use my Zimmer frame, and my balance is badly affected."
Before you send off the form
If you can, attach photocopies of any additional evidence that you have to the form. Anything that helps an assessor understand how your condition impacts your day-to-day life is useful. For example, you could include copies of:
- prescriptions
- care and support plans
- information from professionals such as your specialist, Parkinson's nurse, occupational therapist, physiotherapist, social worker, support worker or counsellor.
if you keep a diary of how your condition affects you, it may be helpful to include this.
Once the Department for Work and Pensions has received your form, they may arrange a consultation (see below for more information). If you'd prefer this to take place in the morning or in the afternoon, put this on your form, as it may help you avoid being given an appointment time that doesn't work for you.
You should return your completed form within 1 month. If you get new evidence that could help your claim after you've sent the form back, make a copy and send it to the Department for Work and Pensions.
Make a copy of the form once you've completed it, along with any supporting evidence you're sending with the form. Keep this safe, just in case your form is lost in the post and so you can refer back to it.
The assessment with a healthcare professional
Once you return your 'How your disability affects you' form, your case will be passed on to one of the companies that carry out PIP assessments on behalf of the Department for Work and Pensions.
These are Independent Assessment Services (previously Atos Healthcare) and Capita. They'll allocate your assessment to a healthcare professional working for them.
This healthcare professional may contact your GP or specialist for more information before deciding if a consultation is needed.
Face-to-face consultations
Before Covid-19, the healthcare professional would usually arrange to see PIP applicants at a face-to-face consultation, but these were suspended in March 2020.
These face-to-face consultations at assessment centres are slowly being reintroduced, but you can ask for a home visit or telephone assessment if you can show you're unable to attend the assessment centre.
Independent Assessment Services and Capita are able to offer and arrange a taxi at their cost to and from the assessment centre. To make sure they'll cover the cost, you'll need to get their agreement before booking the taxi.
Ask for you assessment to be recorded. This can be useful if you dispute the assessor's report. Do this ideally before the date of your assessment.
After the consultation, in their report the healthcare professional will identify the descriptors they believe apply to you (see above).
To do this, they'll ask questions about your day-today life, your home, how you manage at work if you have a job, and about any social or leisure activities you take part in (or have had to give up). They'll often ask you to describe a typical day in your life.
The healthcare professional should consider whether you can complete daily activities repeatedly, in a reasonable amount of time, to an acceptable standard and safely.
If you can't do something at 1 particular point in the day, the healthcare professional should take this into account, even if you can do that task at other times in the day.
- Keep in mind that the healthcare professional is there to build a picture of how your condition affects you on a day-to-day basis over the course of 1 year. So it's important not to worry that you'll be judged on how you're feeling on the day of your consultation.
- Don't stop taking your medication as a way of showing how your condition affects you, as this can be dangerous. Make sure you explain how the changing nature of Parkinson's affects you, including how you manage when your symptoms are at their worst.
- Tell them about any pain or tiredness you feel, or would feel, while carrying out each task they ask you about, and after you've carried it out. Consider how you would feel if you had to do the same task repeatedly.
- Tell them how long it takes you to do things if your Parkinson's slows you down, or if you would avoid doing the task they're asking you about because you've had accidents in the past. An example could be if you don't cook with hot pans anymore because of problems with your grip or because your tremor makes it dangerous.
- Don't overestimate your ability to do things. If your condition varies, let them know what you're like on bad days as well as good days. The healthcare professional's opinion shouldn't be based on a snapshot of your condition on the day of the consultation – they should consider the effects of your condition over time.
- It's important to say if you have problems at some stage of the day, for example, if mornings are difficult for you but you feel better once you've taken your medication. Problems that come and go can still help you get an award of PIP.
- You should only be treated as being able to perform a task if you can do so safely, to an acceptable standard, repeatedly and in a reasonable time period. Try to make it clear to the healthcare professional if this is not the case.
After the consultation
After the consultation, the healthcare professional will complete their report and send it to a Department for Work and Pensions case manager. They'll then decide whether or not to award you PIP and, if it's awarded, at what rate and for how long.
If you're not happy with the decision
If your claim for PIP is turned down you have 1 calendar month from the date of the decision to ask the Department for Work and Pensions to look at the decision again. This is called a 'mandatory reconsideration'.
You can also ask for the decision to be looked at again if you're unhappy with the level of the benefit you've been awarded or the period for which it's been awarded.
Don't be discouraged from asking for a mandatory reconsideration for PIP.
Be careful, however, because when you ask for one, the Department for Work and Pensions will look at the whole award and they can take away the rate of PIP you've already been granted. If you're in any doubt, contact the Parkinson's UK helpline.
How to ask for a mandatory reconsideration
To ask for a mandatory reconsideration for PIP, you should write to the address (or ring the number) on your PIP decision letter.
If you phone, put your request in writing as well. You can use a CRMR1 mandatory reconsideration request form from the GOV.UK website, but you don't have to. Keep a copy of your request.
Building a case
You can ask for a copy of the assessment and any other medical information used by the decision-maker. When you receive this evidence, you should get a better idea of why the decision was made.
In most cases, there will be a report produced by the healthcare professional at the consultation. Compare their report with what you wrote on the 'How your disability affects you' form. Look for differences of opinion.
For example, you may have written that you couldn't walk more than 20 metres without severe discomfort, but the healthcare professional noted that they thought you could manage about 100 metres.
Where you find such differences, try to get medical evidence showing that what you said on the form was correct. For example, you could ask for a letter from your GP, specialist or Parkinson's nurse describing the difficulties you have in walking, which backs up what you said.
Once you've got evidence to support your case, send a copy of it to the address on the decision letter. If you need more time to get the evidence, tell the Department for Work and Pensions how long this is likely to take, so they don't make a decision straight away.
A Department for Work and Pensions case manager will look at any further evidence you send. They'll then either change the decision in your favour, or let you know that they're unable to change the decision.
You then have 1 calendar month from the date of this 'mandatory reconsideration notice' to appeal to an independent tribunal.
How to appeal
You can appeal against a decision using the official appeal form, the SSCS1, on the GOV.UK website.
You must usually appeal within 1 month of the date on your mandatory reconsideration notice.
The appeal form will ask if you would like your appeal to be considered with or without being heard by a tribunal (an 'oral hearing'). Choosing an oral hearing and attending the tribunal can greatly improve your chances of a successful outcome.
The appeal will be considered by an independent appeal tribunal. These tribunals are informal – they're not like the courts. If you have a carer, they can attend as well to give information they have about your needs.
You can contact the Parkinson's UK helpline or a local advice centre such as Citizens Advice to see if they can give you any support and possibly provide a representative to present your case at the hearing.
What if my condition gets worse in the future?
If you're awarded PIP and there's a change in your condition sometime in the future, you can ask for the award to be looked at again due to a change in your circumstances.
Always get in touch with the Department for Work and Pensions immediately if you're receiving PIP and your circumstances change.
They can't take into consideration any deterioration in your health before the time you contact them.
Be aware that the Department for Work and Pensions will look at the whole award and they can take away the rate of PIP you've already been granted.
Before you do anything, make sure that you meet the conditions for the new component or the higher rate (see 'Do I qualify?' above).
You need to have satisfied the conditions for the new component or the higher rate for at least 3 months and expect it to last for at least 9 months more before your award can be increased.
If you're in any doubt, contact the Parkinson's UK helpline for advice.
What if I go into hospital or a care home?
Hospital stays
You can make a claim for PIP if you're in hospital, but payment can only start once you leave. If you pay your own fees for the hospital without help from the council or health service, your PIP can continue to be paid.
If you're not paying the fees and already getting PIP when you go into hospital, payment will stop after a total of 4 weeks (either in 1 stay, or several stays where the gaps between stays are less than 4 weeks each time). It can restart when you return home, you won't have to make a new claim.
If you're under 18, your PIP can be paid for the whole time you're in hospital.
Care homes
If you pay your own fees for your care home without help from the council or health service, your PIP can continue to be paid.
If the council helps with your fees, the PIP daily living component will stop after 4 weeks. This can be in 1 stay, or several stays where the gaps between stays are no more than 4 weeks each time. It can restart if you return home.
The mobility component isn't affected even if the council helps with your fees.
If the health service pays for your nursing home, both the daily living and mobility components will usually stop after 4 weeks, but can restart when you return back home.
Does PIP affect other benefits?
PIP can be paid in addition to other benefits. It's not counted as income in the calculation of means-tested benefits.
However, your local authority can take PIP into account when considering whether you need to contribute towards the cost of any care and support services you receive from them.
PIP can increase how much you receive in Housing Benefit and from the Council Tax Reduction Scheme. It can also increase the legacy benefits currently being replaced by Universal Credit. Universal Credit doesn't increase its payment based on a PIP award.
See our information about Universal Credit and the legacy benefits it's replacing.
Changes to PIP
The government is making changes to PIP and other disability benefits for people of working age. We have all the latest updates.
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Last updated July 2025.
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