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Personal Independence Payment - what it is

Personal Independence Payment is for disabled people aged 16 to 64 (known as working age) when they first claim.

Your entitlement to Personal Independence Payment isn’t based on your disability, but the help you may need because of your condition or disability. Your personal circumstances are taken into account and the impact that your condition or disability has on your ability to live independently.

The payment isn't means-tested, so your income and savings won't affect your entitlement to Personal Independence Payment. You can claim it whether you're in or out of work.

The payment is tax-free and you can spend the money as you choose.

If you're currently getting Disability Living Allowance

Aged under 16

There's no change for Disability Living Allowance for children up to 16 years of age - this will continue.

Aged 16 to 64

From 2013 to 2016, Personal Independence Payment will replace Disability Living Allowance for everyone of working age even if you've an indefinite or lifetime award. Working age means anyone aged 16 to 64 on the day that Personal Independence Payment is introduced. You'll need to make a claim for Personal Independence Payment instead. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) will write to you between 2013 and 2016 to let you know when you can claim Personal Independence Payment.

You don't need to do anything now, DWP will contact you to let you know when your Disability Living Allowance will stop. They will tell you when and how you should make a claim for Personal Independence Payment.

There's no automatic entitlement to Personal Independence Payment. Entitlement is based on your personal circumstances and the impact that your condition or disability has on your ability to live independently. Entitlement will not depend on what health condition or disability you have.

The only exception is for people who are terminally ill and who are not expected to live for more than six months.

Aged 65 or over

If you're aged 65 or over on the day Personal Independence Payment is introduced, you'll keep getting your Disability Living Allowance. You will need to continue to meet the entitlement conditions. You'll not need to claim Personal Independence Payment.

Why is Personal Independence Payment replacing Disability Living Allowance?

Replacing Disability Living Allowance with Personal Independence Payment will mean everyone will get the right support to live independent lives. Personal Independence Payment will consider the impact of disability in a better way than Disability Living Allowance does, considering all conditions fairly.

This means that people with mental health, intellectual, cognitive and developmental impairments will be better assessed - along with people with physical disabilities. The impact of their conditions will also be taken into account in a fairer way.

The new benefit also allows disabled people to be reassessed over time to ensure everyone gets the right support if their needs change.

Further information

You can find general information on Personal Independence Payment on the DWP website.

• Personal Independence Payment information on the DWP website Opens new window

You can download a frequently asked questions leaflet containing information about Personal Independence Payment.

• Download 'Personal Independence Payment frequently asked questions' (PDF, 91K) Opens new window

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