Millions of people across the UK are living with long-term health conditions or disabilities that make daily life a challenge. For many, Personal Independence Payment (PIP) isn’t just a government benefit—it’s a lifeline. PIP helps cover extra costs caused by disability or illness, supporting those who struggle with mobility, personal care, and daily routines. But not everyone who needs help knows how to claim it—or how the system works.
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) uses a structured points-based system to decide who qualifies for PIP and at what rate. And as of 2025, the rules are changing. A new requirement means applicants must score at least four points on a single daily living activity to be considered eligible. That might not sound like much, but it’s a big shift in how claims are assessed.
Even with the changes, some conditions are still more likely to result in a successful claim. If you’re living with neurological disorders, severe mental health issues, or musculoskeletal problems, you may already be closer to qualifying than you think.
In this guide, we’ll break down exactly how the PIP points system works, explain the new changes, and show how those with three key types of conditions can access the support they’re entitled to.
What is PIP?
Personal Independence Payment, or PIP, is a non-means-tested benefit designed to help people with the additional costs of living with a long-term health condition or disability. It replaced the Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for most adults and is available to anyone aged 16 and over who hasn’t yet reached state pension age.
What makes PIP different from other benefits is that it’s not based on your income, savings, or employment status. Instead, it focuses purely on how your condition affects your ability to carry out certain everyday activities.
PIP has two main components:
- Daily Living Component – for help with activities like eating, bathing, dressing, and managing medication.
- Mobility Component – for help with getting around, including planning journeys or physically moving from place to place.
Each component has two payment levels: standard and enhanced. Your entitlement depends on how many points you score during the assessment process. The higher your points, the higher the level of support you receive.
PIP assessments are handled either via paperwork or face-to-face evaluations, depending on your condition. A medical diagnosis alone isn’t enough—you have to demonstrate how your condition affects your functional ability. That’s where the points system comes in.
How the PIP Points System Works
The PIP assessment breaks down everyday tasks into a list of activities. Each activity has a set of descriptors that describe varying levels of difficulty. You’re awarded points based on which descriptors apply to you. The more help you need, the more points you score.
Here’s how the point thresholds work:
- 8–11 points = Standard rate
- 12+ points = Enhanced rate
These apply separately to both the Daily Living and Mobility components. So it’s possible to qualify for just one component, or for both at different rates.
Daily Living Activities and Scoring
There are 10 key activities under the Daily Living category:
- Preparing food
- Eating and drinking
- Managing treatment
- Washing and bathing
- Using the toilet
- Dressing and undressing
- Communicating verbally
- Reading and understanding
- Social engagement
- Managing finances
Each of these has descriptors that range from being fully independent to needing constant supervision or complete assistance.
Mobility Activities and Scoring
There are 2 main activities assessed under the Mobility component:
- Planning and following journeys
- Moving around
These are especially relevant for people with neurological or musculoskeletal conditions that impair physical movement, as well as mental health conditions that impact orientation and planning.
Under the 2025 reforms, claimants must now score a minimum of 4 points in at least one Daily Living activity to be considered eligible—a change from the previous rules that could significantly impact how many people qualify.
