Personal Independence Payment

Personal Independence Payment (PIP) is a benefit for people aged 16 to State Pension age. It is for people who have problems with daily living or moving around.

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What is Personal Independence Payment (PIP)?

Personal Independence Payment is a benefit for people aged 16 to State Pension age who live in England, Wales or Northern Ireland.

If you live in Scotland, apply for Adult Disability Payment instead.

PIP has 2 parts:

  • a daily living part – if you have problems with everyday tasks
  • a mobility part – if you have problems with moving around.

You may get 1 or both parts. You must have had these problems for 3 months and expect them to last for at least 9 months. This is unless you are terminally ill.

It can take several months to assess a claim for PIP, unless the special rules for terminal illness apply. If you are not sure how long into the future your difficulties will last, you can make a claim and withdraw when the assessment date approaches if you do not feel it is still relevant to you.

PIP is not awarded on the basis of a cancer diagnosis. It is given based on how you manage daily living tasks such as washing, dressing, cooking and eating. These tasks can be affected by physical difficulties, but also by issues such as memory and concentration, or mental health issues such as anxiety and depression.

If you have reached State Pension age and are making a new claim, you should claim Attendance Allowance instead of PIP. If you have received PIP before reaching State Pension age, you can continue to get it. In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, PIP has replaced an older benefit called Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for adults.

Find out more about the benefits and financial support available for people living with cancer.

If you prefer a factsheet, you can download our PDF about PIP.

Related pages

PIP delays

We know there are some delays with PIP assessments. For many people with cancer, this means it is taking longer than expected to receive a PIP payment.

Tips on how you can manage PIP delays

Delays can be worrying if you rely on PIP payments. Here are some tips that may help:

  • You can involve your local MP to challenge severe delays in processing your PIP claim.
  • Keep a diary, noting when you have contacted the Department for Work and Pensions (England and Wales) or the Department for Communities (Northern Ireland). This can be useful evidence for an MP or a welfare rights adviser if they are trying to speed up your application.
  • Keep a note of any changes to your condition while you wait on the PIP application to be processed. Be honest about how your daily life is affected. This can be useful as further evidence to support your application.
  • Speak to our money advisers to find out if there are any other benefits or types of financial support you can claim. For example, there are other benefits that include disability elements similar (but not identical) to PIP, and you may be able to apply for these depending on your circumstances.

Booklets and resources

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Terminal illness (special rules)

If you are terminally ill, you can apply using a process called special rules.

Claiming PIP under special rules means:

  • you should get your first payment within 2 weeks of applying
  • you do not need to have had daily living or mobility problems for the last 3 months
  • you do not need to have an assessment meeting
  • you will get the highest rate of daily living payment
  • if you are eligible, you will get the highest rate of the mobility payment
  • the money is paid weekly
  • someone can make the claim on your behalf.

We know that being diagnosed with advanced cancer can have an impact on you emotionally and financially. Macmillan is here to support you. We have information on managing money at the end of life and the Macmillan Support Line is here to listen if you want to talk.

Related pages

Can I claim PIP if I have cancer?

To get PIP, you must:

  • have problems with daily living tasks, moving around (mobility) or both
  • have had these problems for 3 months and expect them to last for at least another 9 months – this timeframe does not apply if you are terminally ill
  • have lived in England, Wales or Northern Ireland for at least 2 of the last 3 years – there are exceptions if you are terminally ill
  • be in one of these countries when you apply – there are more rules if you live abroad or are not a British or Irish citizen.

Important information about PIP

It is important to know that:

  • you can claim PIP whether you are working or not
  • you do not need to have paid National Insurance to claim PIP
  • your income and savings do not affect your claim
  • if you are awarded PIP, your other benefits are not reduced – they may even increase
  • PIP payments are tax-free
  • PIP is based on how your condition affects you, not on the condition you have
  • you can still get PIP if you do not have a carer.

The daily living component

You may get the daily living part of PIP if you need help more than half of the time with activities like:

  • preparing or eating food
  • eating and drinking
  • taking medicines and managing treatments
  • monitoring a health condition
  • washing and bathing
  • using the toilet or managing incontinence
  • dressing and undressing
  • communicating with other people
  • reading and understanding signs, symbols and words
  • engaging with other people face to face
  • making decisions about money.

The mobility component

You may get the mobility part of PIP if you need help:

  • going out – for example, planning and following a route to another place 
  • moving around – for example, walking.

You do not have to have a physical disability to get the mobility part. For example, you may also be eligible if you have difficulty moving around because of memory or concentration problems, or a mental health condition such as anxiety.

Changes to PIP rules from 2026

In March 2025, the government said they will make changes to the rules for claiming PIP. The changes will not happen before November 2026, but they will mean fewer people can get PIP.
Related pages

How can I claim PIP?

If you live in England or Wales, you can:

  • call the PIP new claims phone line on 0800 917 2222 or use textphone 0800 917 7777
  • use Relay UK on 18001 then 0800 917 2222 if you cannot hear or speak on the phone
  • use the video relay service if you use British Sign Language (BSL)
  • check if you can apply online.

If you live in Northern Ireland, you can:

  • call the PIP Centre on 0800 012 1573 or use textphone 0800 587 0937
  • use the video relay service if you use British Sign Language or Irish Sign Language.

Someone else can call on your behalf to apply, but you need to be with them when they call. You must give your permission for the DWP or DfC to speak to that person about your claim. You do not need to do this if you are terminally ill and claiming under special rules.

There are 3 stages to apply:

  • Stage 1 – collects your personal details.
  • Stage 2 – asks questions about how your disability affects you. You must complete this stage within 4 weeks, either online or using the paper application form you are sent. If you cannot complete the form within this time, you can ask for longer.
  • Stage 3 – if needed, an assessment meeting.

Information to have ready when you apply

It is important to have the following information with you when applying:

  • your full name, address and telephone number
  • your date of birth
  • your National Insurance number – you can find this on letters about tax, pensions and benefits
  • your bank or building society account number and sort code
  • your GP’s details, or details of other healthcare professionals
  • details of any time you have spent abroad in the past 3 years
  • details of any recent time you have spent in a care home or hospital.

You do not have to answer any detailed questions about your health for stage 1 of the application.

How will I be assessed for PIP?

The form asks you questions about everyday activities, such as preparing food. Your answers will be assessed against a list of statements that describe:

  • how much support you need
  • what type of help you need to do the activity.

These statements are called descriptors. An example is ‘Cannot cook a simple meal using a conventional cooker, but is able to do so using a microwave’.

Each descriptor has a point score. The number of points you get depends on how much help you need. Your scores for the activities are added together and the total affects the PIP payment you get.

You are considered able to do an activity if you can do it:

  • safely
  • to an acceptable standard
  • as often as you need to
  • within a reasonable period of time
  • without any help.

It is helpful to give lots of detail about how you manage each activity. If your condition is sometimes better and sometimes worse, you can include information about that too.

Download our PIP self assessment form (PDF) to help you understand the scores and how you might be assessed. If you need information about using it, you can speak to our money advisers. Call the Macmillan Support Line free on 0808 808 00 00, Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm.

How to fill in the PIP form

Stage 2 of the PIP application checks how your health problems affect your daily life. The form asks you questions about everyday activities, such as preparing food.

Here are some tips for completing the form:

  • Make sure you have plenty of time. You may find it helpful to read it through first. Then you can get all the information you need before you start.
  • Try to include as much detail as possible about how your condition affects your daily life. For each activity, try to explain how you manage on good days and on bad days. And explain how often you have good and bad days.
  • You may want to record any problems you have in a diary to show how your condition affects your daily life. We have a diary you can use to do this. You can send it as supporting evidence along with your form.

It may also be helpful to get evidence about your illness from the people involved in your care. Send this with your form, or soon afterwards. You could ask for evidence from your:

  • GP
  • cancer doctor or specialist nurse
  • support worker
  • carer – this is anyone who gives you help and support that you could not manage without, such as help with daily tasks
  • consultant.

Examples of people claiming PIP

  • Sam: completing stage 2 of the PIP application

    After chemotherapy Sam has tingling, pain and numbness in their hands and feet. This is a cancer drug side effect called peripheral neuropathy.

    This can make it difficult to grip things and affects co-ordination and balance. Sam has problems using a vegetable peeler, opening jars, and chopping vegetables. They often drop or spill things. They cannot test the temperature of something by touch. They may not be able to stand for long enough to cook a meal from beginning to end. Sam often sits on a high stool while cooking. On bad days, they rely on family to help cook.

    Sam gives all this information in stage 2 of the PIP application. The assessor chooses the descriptor ‘Cannot cook a simple meal using a conventional cooker, but is able to do so using a microwave’.

    This is because Sam cannot use a conventional cooker to make a meal:

    • safely – they are at risk of dropping or spilling a pot or pan of boiling water or food
    • to an acceptable standard – they may not be able to tell if something is heated all the way through
    • as often as they need to – they may not have the strength in their hands to cook every day
    • within a reasonable period of time – struggling with can openers, peelers or knives may take much longer
    • without any help – they may be able to cook but only if someone does some of the jobs for them.
  • Ash: filling out the PIP diary

    Ash is living with cancer that cannot be cured. Symptoms like extreme tiredness (fatigue) and sickness mean that sometimes it is just too difficult to get showered. Ash records this in a diary for a few weeks. Every day Ash notes:

    • how long it took to shower and how they felt after
    • if they did not have a shower, why not.

    The diary helps the assessor understand how the symptoms are affecting Ash’s daily life. Having a shower when the tiredness is bad often means Ash has to rest and limits what they can do for the rest of the day. Some days Ash does not shower because there is nobody around to make sure they can get in or out of the shower safely.

How to prepare for your PIP interview

If needed, you will have an assessment meeting to get more information about how you do different activities and how your condition affects your daily life. This can be by phone, video call or in person.

Most people have a face-to-face assessment. This may be at a PIP assessment centre. You can take a family member or friend with you for support if you want to.

If you need to travel to an assessment centre, you can claim help with your travel costs. You can find out more about this from the assessment centre.

If you are too unwell to travel, you can ask for a home visit for the assessment. You may need a letter from your GP or cancer doctor for your request.

The face-to-face assessment takes about 1 hour. You will be asked questions about how you do different activities and how your condition affects your daily life.

If you miss your face-to-face assessment, or you cannot make your appointment, contact the assessment centre straight away to ask whether they can reschedule it. The number to call is on your appointment letter. Missing an appointment could mean your PIP claim is rejected and you will have to start the application process again.

You do not need to have a face-to-face assessment if you are terminally ill and claiming under special rules.

Who can help me apply for PIP?

Getting support from an experienced money adviser can help your application.

You can speak to a Macmillan money adviser by calling our Support Line for free on 0808 808 00 00, Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm. They are trained to help you get any benefits you may be entitled to.

You may also be able to meet a welfare rights adviser in person through a local service. This depends on where you live. Visit macmillan.org.uk/inyourarea to find out if this is possible.

Other organisations can also help you get the financial support you need. These include:

How much PIP could I get?

How much PIP you get depends on the result of an assessment of your needs. The assessment gives you a score for the daily living part and a score for the mobility part of PIP.

If you get under 8 points in either the daily living or the mobility part, you cannot claim that part of PIP.

If you get 8 to 11 points, you will get the standard rate for that part.

If you get 12 points or more, you will get a higher enhanced rate for that part.

PIP is paid into your bank account every 4 weeks or weekly if you are terminally ill. To find out the current rates, visit GOV.UK.

What happens if my claim is approved?

You will get a letter that explains whether you will get PIP, which parts and how much you will get for each part. The letter will tell you how long you will get PIP for and if the decision will be reviewed in the future.

It will include information about the score you were given for each activity and why you were given each score. We have more information about these scores under the heading ‘How much PIP could I get?’ on this page.

What happens if my situation changes?

If your situation changes, your claim may be affected. For example, if your condition gets worse, you might be able to get the higher rate. If there is a change in your expected outcome (prognosis) and you qualify under special rules, the 3 month rule does not apply.

Your benefit payments may be affected if you go abroad, or if you go into hospital or a care home, for more than 4 weeks. This can be either:

  • 1 stay
  • several stays in a hospital or care home where the gap is less than 4 weeks each time.

The rules are complicated, so it may be helpful speak with a welfare rights adviser. You can contact your local Citizens Advice in England and Wales, Advice NI in Northern Ireland or the benefits advice centre. Or call our money advisers on 0808 808 00 00.

You should tell the benefits service if anything changes:

  • If you live in England or Wales, call the Disability Service Centre PIP helpline on 0800 121 4433 or use textphone 0800 121 4493.
  • If you live in Northern Ireland, contact the Department for Communities (DfC) PIP Centre on 0800 587 0932 or use textphone 0800 587 0937.

What can I do if I am refused PIP?

Not everyone affected by cancer will get PIP. It is important to remember that PIP is based on the needs you have rather than your diagnosis.

You might also be refused PIP because of the following reasons:

  • You do not meet the time conditions. This means you have not had difficulties for 3 months or are not expected to still have difficulties in 9 months.
  • You have not explained the impact of your illness and treatment on your daily living or mobility well enough.
  • Your application did not include medical evidence to support your claim.

It may be helpful to speak to a welfare rights adviser to discuss your claim.

If you disagree with the decision about PIP, you can ask the DWP or DfC to reconsider.

For more information about appealing a benefits decision, visit:

  • GOV.UK if you live in England or Wales
  • NI Direct if you live in Northern Ireland.

What other financial support is available?

Depending on your situation, you may be able to get other financial support to help with the extra costs of cancer. These may include:

  • Universal Credit – a benefit for people under State Pension age who are out of work or on a low income.
  • Adult Disability Payment (ADP) – a benefit in Scotland for people under State Pension age who have problems with everyday tasks, getting around or both due to long term health conditions or disability.
  • Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) – a benefit for people under State Pension age who have an illness or disability that affects how much they can work.
  • Carer's Allowance is the main benefit for carers. You may be able to get financial help if you are caring for someone with cancer.

You can use our benefits calculator to check if you are eligible for any other benefits. You will need to be a British or Irish citizen to use the calculator.

What other financial advice is available?

Macmillan has information on managing money when living with cancer. It includes:

  • dealing with lenders and energy companies
  • debt
  • benefits
  • bills and housing costs
  • pensions and insurance.

We also have information to help manage energy and heating costs.

If you are worried about debt, we can refer you to our charity partner StepChange Debt Charity for advice.

Related pages

Booklets and resources

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About our information

This information has been written, revised and edited by Macmillan Cancer Support’s Cancer Information Development team. It has been reviewed by expert medical and health professionals and people living with cancer.

Cancer Information Development team

Author

Macmillan Welfare Rights Team

Reviewer

Date reviewed

Reviewed: 01 June 2025
|
Next review: 01 June 2028
Trusted Information Creator - Patient Information Forum
Trusted Information Creator - Patient Information Forum

Our cancer information meets the PIF TICK quality mark.

This means it is easy to use, up-to-date and based on the latest evidence. Learn more about how we produce our information.

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We want everyone affected by cancer to feel our information is written for them.


We want our information to be as clear as possible. To do this, we try to:

  • use plain English
  • explain medical words
  • use short sentences
  • use illustrations to explain text
  • structure the information clearly
  • make sure important points are clear.

We use gender-inclusive language and talk to our readers as ‘you’ so that everyone feels included. Where clinically necessary we use the terms ‘men’ and ‘women’ or ‘male’ and ‘female’. For example, we do so when talking about parts of the body or mentioning statistics or research about who is affected.


You can read more about how we produce our information here.

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