PIP 2026/27 | Rates, Points, Eligibility and How the Assessment Works

PIP rates for 2026/27

PIP has two components: daily living and mobility. Each is awarded at either standard or enhanced rate depending on the points scored in the assessment. Daily living standard rate: £76.70 a week. Daily living enhanced rate: £114.60 a week. Mobility standard rate: £30.30 a week. Mobility enhanced rate: £80.00 a week. If you qualify for both components at the enhanced rate, the combined weekly amount is £194.60, £10,119.20 a year. PIP is not means-tested, is not taxable and is not affected by savings. You can receive it whether you are working or not. PIP is paid every 4 weeks. As a monthly figure (weekly x 52 / 12), the maximum of £194.60 a week is about £843.27 a month, and standard daily living alone is about £332.37 a month.

Full PIP rates 2026/27 table: a week, every 4 weeks, a month and a year →

How the PIP points system works

PIP is assessed against ten daily living activities and two mobility activities. For each activity, descriptors describe different levels of ability. The descriptor that best matches what you can do, safely, repeatedly, to an acceptable standard, and in a reasonable time, determines your points score. You need at least 8 points in the daily living component to receive the standard daily living rate, and at least 12 points for the enhanced rate. The same thresholds (8 points for standard, 12 for enhanced) apply to the mobility component separately. Points from different activities in the same component are added together, you do not need to score heavily on a single activity. The ten daily living activities are preparing food, eating and drinking, managing treatments, washing and bathing, managing toilet needs, dressing, talking and listening, reading, mixing with other people, and making budgeting decisions. The two mobility activities are planning and following journeys, and moving around. Each activity has descriptors worth from 0 to 12 points. Unless you are terminally ill, you also need to have had the difficulties for 3 months and expect them to last at least another 9 months. If you have reached State Pension age you usually can't make a new PIP claim and would claim Attendance Allowance instead, but if you already get PIP you can keep it.

The PIP assessment: what DWP considers

A healthcare professional commissioned by DWP will assess how your condition affects you across the activities. The assessment is based on your application form (PIP2), any supporting evidence you provide, and the face-to-face or telephone consultation. Key evidence sources include GP letters, specialist reports, care plans, occupational therapy assessments, prescription histories and personal diaries documenting good and bad days. DWP considers your typical day, not your best day. Many people under-report their difficulties, be specific about how often symptoms affect you and whether you can complete activities reliably and safely.

PIP and Universal Credit, how they interact

PIP and Universal Credit are separate benefits paid by different parts of the DWP and assessed independently. Receiving PIP does not reduce your Universal Credit. In fact, it can help in two ways. First, PIP exempts your household from the benefit cap. (PIP does not by itself add the UC health element: that needs a Work Capability Assessment.) Second, if someone in your household receives PIP daily living, a carer who spends 35 hours a week caring for them may qualify for Carer's Allowance, which carries an underlying entitlement that adds the UC carer element of £209.34 a month.

If your PIP claim is refused or reduced

A significant proportion of PIP claims are overturned on appeal. If your initial claim is refused or you receive a lower rate than expected, request mandatory reconsideration within one month of the decision. If the reconsideration does not change the outcome, you have the right to appeal to an independent tribunal. Success rates at tribunal are substantially higher than at mandatory reconsideration. Gathering additional evidence, particularly from consultants, care professionals or a detailed diary, strengthens the case. Citizens Advice and welfare rights organisations can help with the appeal process.