PIP eligibility
You can get PIP if you're 16 or over and usually under State Pension age, have a long-term physical or mental health condition or disability, and find everyday tasks or getting around difficult because of it. You need to have had the difficulties for 3 months and expect them to last at least 9 more.
Sources: gov.uk: PIP eligibility; PIP Regulations 2013, regulations 12 to 14; PIP Regulations 2013, regulations 12 to 14; Claims and Payments Regulations 2013, regulation 33. Checked 11 October 2026.
Age
You need to be 16 or over, and usually under State Pension age to make a new claim. Over State Pension age you can't usually make a new claim, and Attendance Allowance is the benefit to look at, unless you got PIP or Adult Disability Payment in the last 12 months.
Source: gov.uk: PIP eligibility. Checked 11 October 2026.
Your condition
You need a long-term physical or mental health condition or disability, and to expect the difficulties to last at least 12 months from when they started. You need to have had the difficulties for 3 months, and expect them to last at least 9 more. If you claim before the 3 months are up, the award can start once they are.
PIP is based on how your condition affects you: how difficult you find everyday tasks and getting around, whether you can do them safely, and how long they take you. What counts is the effect, scored on 12 activities in the PIP points calculator. More on that is on PIP and medical conditions.
Sources: gov.uk: PIP eligibility; PIP Regulations 2013, regulations 12 to 14; Claims and Payments Regulations 2013, regulation 33; gov.uk: Personal Independence Payment. Checked 11 October 2026.
Where you live
You usually need to have lived in England, Scotland or Wales for at least 2 of the last 3 years, and to be living in England or Wales when you apply. If you're not a British citizen, you normally need to live in the UK, Ireland, the Isle of Man or the Channel Islands, or show you intend to settle there, and not be subject to immigration control.
In Scotland, new claims go to Adult Disability Payment from Social Security Scotland.
Source: gov.uk: PIP eligibility. Checked 11 October 2026.
If you're nearing the end of life
The special rules for end of life apply if a doctor or other medical professional has said you might have 12 months or less to live. There's no face-to-face assessment, and you get the higher rate of the daily living part.
Source: gov.uk: Claiming PIP if you're nearing the end of life. Checked 11 October 2026.
What doesn't matter
PIP isn't affected by your income or savings, and it's tax free. You can be working. Details are on is PIP means tested and can you work and claim PIP.
Questions people ask
Who is eligible for PIP?
You can get PIP if you're 16 or over and usually under State Pension age, have a long-term physical or mental health condition or disability, and find everyday tasks or getting around difficult because of it. You need to have had the difficulties for 3 months and expect them to last at least 9 more. Residence rules apply too.
Can I claim PIP over State Pension age?
You need to be 16 or over, and usually under State Pension age to make a new claim. Over State Pension age you can't usually make a new claim, and Attendance Allowance is the benefit to look at, unless you got PIP or Adult Disability Payment in the last 12 months.
How long do I need to have had my condition?
You need to have had the difficulties for 3 months, and expect them to last at least 9 more. If you claim before the 3 months are up, the award can start once they are. gov.uk puts it as expecting the difficulties to last at least 12 months from when they started.
Do I need a diagnosis to get PIP?
gov.uk doesn't say you need one. The claim form asks how your condition affects you, and you can send information from your doctor or other professionals to support it.
We are not the DWP and can't see your claim. For help checking whether to claim, Citizens Advice and Scope give free advice.