Personal independence payments

Personal independence payments (often known as PIPs) are benefits paid to people to meet additional costs that arise from having a disability or long-term illness. These payments can be made to people between the ages of 16 and 64. These payments were introduced in 2013, and replaced Disability Living Allowance.

How much someone receives depends on how they are affected by their disability. It is this that determines the level of payment, not on the nature of the disability or illness itself.

Personal independence payments are not means tested. This means that how much a person gets does not depend on how much they earn or any savings they have.

Personal independence payments are not payable for children under age 16. However, a parent or carer may be able to make a new claim for Disability Living Allowance for a disabled child if the child is:

• Between three months and 16 years old and needs extra help with daily living tasks.
• Aged between three years and 16 years and needs help with their mobility (i.e. help getting around).