What is PIP (Personal Independence Payment)?

PIP is a government benefit designed to help people with disabilities or long-term health conditions with extra costs they face. It is divided into two parts: the daily living component and the mobility component.

​

​

Who is eligible for PIP?

You may be eligible for PIP if you are aged 16-64, have a long-term health condition or disability, and need help with daily activities or mobility. The exact eligibility depends on how your condition affects you, rather than your diagnosis.

​

​

Is PIP means-tested?

Personal Independence Payment (PIP) is non-means-tested, meaning your financial situation does not affect your eligibility. Whether you live in a council flat or a mansion with millions of Pounds in the bank, you could still be awarded PIP if you have a qualifying health condition or disability. Despite this, a significant amount of PIP is unclaimed across the UK, with many people not receiving the support they are entitled to due to lack of awareness or difficulty navigating the application process.

​

​

Can you help me with my PIP application?

Yes, we can provide advice and guidance on how to complete your PIP application and help with Mandatory reconsiderations. The DWP process can be complicated for many people when applying for PIP, and many people don’t realise the full extent of how it works. PIP assessments use descriptors to measure how your condition affects your ability to perform daily activities and mobility tasks. It’s important to describe how your condition impacts you in real-life situations, not just in terms of the condition itself. For example, you might think that having a hearing impairment doesn’t affect you when you're out and about, but there could be safety implications. Let’s say you are crossing the road—without being able to hear oncoming traffic or a car horn, you may be at a significantly higher risk of an accident. This is an important detail to highlight in your application.

​

Case Study: P's Successful PIP Claim

P, who has a profound hearing impairment, initially thought her condition wouldn’t affect her mobility. However, when we investigated her daily routine, we discovered several key safety concerns that impacted both her mobility and daily living. For example, P struggled with crossing busy roads safely due to her inability to hear approaching traffic, which posed a significant risk to her wellbeing. We also found that she could not hear smoke alarms when in the shower when she took out her hearing aids, further compromising her safety at home.

 

We helped P explain in her PIP application that these safety issues weren’t just occasional but occurred regularly, often on most days, making them a consistent part of her routine rather than just a physical limitation. Additionally, P faced significant challenges with time management due to her inability to hear alarms or alerts, which further impacted her ability to manage daily tasks effectively. By clearly outlining these concerns in her application, we were able to highlight how her hearing impairment affected her daily life and mobility in practical, real-world scenarios. This deeper insight into the safety risks P faced led to a successful PIP claim, with both the daily living and mobility components awarded, ensuring she received the support she needed.

 

​

Case Study: S’s PIP Claim with Autism and COPD

S, a 51-year-old with Autism and COPD, could technically prepare food but struggled with the time it took. While they could peel vegetables, it often took over an hour to complete, due to cognitive challenges and physical fatigue. During the PIP assessment, S said they could prepare food, but the assessor didn’t consider the time it took. We clarified that while S could perform the task, it wasn’t in a , which significantly impacted their daily life. By highlighting this, S’s claim was successful, and both the enhanced daily living and mobility components were awarded.

 

We help ensure that you provide all the relevant details to give the DWP a clear understanding of how your condition affects your day-to-day life in the clearest way possible.

​

​

How can I appeal a PIP decision?

If your PIP claim has been refused or the award is lower than expected, we can help guide you through the process of appealing the decision known as a Mandatory reconsideration, including preparing the necessary documents and advice on what evidence may strengthen your case.

 

 

How long do I have to request a Mandatory Reconsideration?

If your PIP claim is refused or you disagree with the decision, you can request a Mandatory Reconsideration. You must do this within 1 month of receiving the decision notice from the DWP. If you miss this deadline, your right to challenge the decision may be lost.

However, in certain circumstances, the DWP may accept a late request if there’s a good reason for the delay. We can help guide you through the Mandatory Reconsideration process and ensure that you provide the right information to support your appeal.

​

​

Can you support my claim if I need to go to a tribunal if the Mandatory Reconsideration fails?

Yes, we can guide you through the tribunal process if you're wishing to represent yourself and the Mandatory Reconsideration is unsuccessful. We will help you prepare by ensuring you and your family are fully informed and ready for the tribunal. However, at this stage, we always advise seeking legal advice, although this is rare. Many cases can be handled successfully without the need for legal representation, but we can recommend trusted legal professionals if needed.

​

​

Is there a charge for PIP advice?

We offer PIP advice on a fixed-fee basis, depending on the level of support required. We can assist with initial assessments, full claims, or appeals, and provide clear pricing upfront.