When a young person reaches 16 years old, they will no longer receive Disability Living Allowance (DLA). Instead, they will need to apply for Personal Independence Payment (PIP).
Before their 16th birthday, they should receive a letter asking whether they want to claim PIP and whether they will manage the claim themselves or need a parent/carer to do this on their behalf.
PIP is a benefit from the government to support people who have a long-term disability, health condition, or special educational needs that affect their daily life or ability to get around.
Important points:
PIP is a benefit from the government to support people who have a long-term disability, health condition, or special educational needs that affect their daily life or ability to get around.
Important points:
A young person may qualify if:
PIP looks at how their condition affects everyday activities such as:
A young person may qualify if:
PIP looks at how their condition affects everyday activities such as:
If your young person doesn’t receive DLA or didn’t get the invitation letter, you will need to contact the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) by phone to start the claim.
You’ll need to provide the young person’s:
If they find phone calls difficult, you or another trusted adult can call on their behalf — but the young person must be present for the first call.
Take photos or copies before sending.
If your young person doesn’t receive DLA or didn’t get the invitation letter, you will need to contact the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) by phone to start the claim.
You’ll need to provide the young person’s:
If they find phone calls difficult, you or another trusted adult can call on their behalf — but the young person must be present for the first call.
Take photos or copies before sending.
Most applicants will have an assessment with a trained health professional, either:
This is not a medical test; it is a conversation about your young person’s day-to-day needs.
Your young person can:
Assessors might ask:
It’s completely okay for your young person to say:
The ‘How Your Disability Affects You’ Form (PIP2)
After the initial phone call, the PIP2 form will arrive by post.
This form asks detailed questions about:
Daily Living
Mobility
Most applicants will have an assessment with a trained health professional, either:
This is not a medical test; it is a conversation about your young person’s day-to-day needs.
Your young person can:
Assessors might ask:
It’s completely okay for your young person to say:
The ‘How Your Disability Affects You’ Form (PIP2)
After the initial phone call, the PIP2 form will arrive by post.
This form asks detailed questions about:
Daily Living
Mobility
A decision letter will explain:
PIP has two components:
Each can be awarded at standard or enhanced rate.
A decision letter will explain:
PIP has two components:
Each can be awarded at standard or enhanced rate.
If your young person cannot manage their own claim, you can apply to become their appointee.
This means you will take responsibility for:
Contact Jobcentre Plus to start this process — it is usually straightforward and will not delay their claim.
If your young person cannot manage their own claim, you can apply to become their appointee.
This means you will take responsibility for:
Contact Jobcentre Plus to start this process — it is usually straightforward and will not delay their claim.
Citizens Advice have a very extensive guide to completing each question on the PIP form and how to prepare for the assessment.
Check how to fill in your claim form - Citizens Advice
If you cannot complete the form even after you use the guide, contact your local Citizens Advice and someone will help you complete the form.
Find your local Citizens Advice
Citizens Advice have a very extensive guide to completing each question on the PIP form and how to prepare for the assessment.
Check how to fill in your claim form - Citizens Advice
If you cannot complete the form even after you use the guide, contact your local Citizens Advice and someone will help you complete the form.
Find your local Citizens Advice
Remember: PIP exists to provide support — no one should feel guilty for applying.
Remember: PIP exists to provide support — no one should feel guilty for applying.