Personal Independence Payment (PIP)

Personal Independence Payment (PIP) replaced Disability Living Allowance (DLA) from 8 April 2013 for people aged 16 to 64 with a long-term health condition or disability.

Assessments for PIP are based on face-face interviews rather than the written submissions that were used for DLA. The claimant has to satisfy the daily living and/or mobility activities test.

The person must satisfy this test for at least three months and be likely to continue to satisfy this test for a period of at least nine months after the three-month qualifying period

The provision of clinical evidence for people applying for PIP or making an appeal against their PIP decision can be important for many people with mental health conditions and intellectual disabilities. 

DLA is still available for children under the age of 16 to help with the extra costs of looking after a child who has difficulty walking or needs much more looking after than a child of the same age who does not have a disability.

Further information