Personal Independence Payment (PIP)

Resource Centre

What is Personal Independence Payment (PIP)

  • PIP helps with extra living costs if you have a disability or long-term health condition and difficulty doing certain everyday tasks or getting around because of your condition

  • When applying for PIP you can ask to have a Disability Work Coach / disability support advisor.

    This will put a flag on your file, saying you need additional support -  so if you miss an appointment, call in ill, need someone to come to meet you, help with filling out a form ….. they will. 

    How you have your interview for PIP and other benefits is up to you:

    • In Person

    • On Teams

    • Phone

    • Written

    If phone or teams, you can ask for a 3 way – and invite someone to support your call (they can be separate to you – eg joining from a different location – like you youth worker, you decide if they can speak – they are there to support you – not talk for you)   if you don’t feel ok having a call at home, you can ask to use the conference / meeting rooms at the job centre.

    All paper work can be provided on the coloured paper, font etc you require – but you have to let them know.

    There is also audio versions of all forms – so people can hear as well as read the forms – taking into account different learning styles.

    When applying for benefits including PIP: Think STAR

    • S – safe

    • T – timely – why might it take longer

    • A – acceptable

    • R – repeated

Videos Explaining what PIP is

These videos, created by the Department for Work & Pensions, give an overview of how to claim PIP, what is expected at a PIP assessment, and how it is awarded.