Personal Independence Payment (PIP)

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Claiming PIP if you’re nearing the end of life

If you’re nearing the end of life (for example, due to a life-limiting illness) you might be able to get Personal Independence Payment (PIP) more quickly and at a higher rate. 

This is sometimes called ‘special rules for end of life’.

Eligibility

You’re eligible to claim PIP under the special rules for end of life if:

  • your doctor or medical professional has said that you might have 12 months or less to live

  • you’re aged 16 or over

You must also be under State Pension age if you’ve not received PIP before.

It can be difficult to predict how long someone might live for. If a medical professional has not talked to you about this, you can still ask them to support your claim under the special rules for end of life.

If you live in Scotland, you may need to apply for Adult Disability Payment (ADP) instead. Check if you are eligible for ADP.

What you’ll get

You’ll get the higher daily living part of £108.55 per week.

Whether you get the mobility part and how much you’ll get depends on your needs. The lower weekly rate is £28.70 and the higher weekly rate is £75.75.

How to claim

You can claim for yourself or someone else can do it for you.

  1. Call the PIP claims line to start your claim.

  2. Ask a medical professional for form SR1. They’ll either fill it in and give the form to you or send it directly to the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).

  3. If you also claim Universal Credit, sign in to your online account and use your journal to say that you have sent an SR1 to DWP.

You will not need to go to a face-to-face assessment.

If you need someone to help you, you can:

  • ask for them to be added to your call - you cannot do this if you use textphone
  • ask someone else to call on your behalf - you’ll need to be with them when they call

PIP claims
Telephone: 0800 917 2222
Textphone: 0800 917 7777
Relay UK (if you cannot hear or speak on the phone): 18001 then 0800 917 2222
British Sign Language (BSL) video relay service if you’re on a computer - find out how to use the service on mobile or tablet
Calling from abroad: +44 191 218 7766
Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm
Find out about call charges

You may also be able to get other benefits if you’re nearing the end of life.

View a printable version of the whole guide

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