Personal Independence Payment & Disabled Facilities Grants in the UK: A Guide for Claimants

Caroline Revell
13 Feb 2025

If you or a loved one have a disability or long-term health condition in the UK, financial support like a Personal Independence Payment (PIP) and/or a Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG) can help improve your quality of life. This guide explains what these benefits are, eligibility, how to apply, and what to expect.

What is a Personal Independence Payment (PIP)?

Personal Independence Payment (PIP) is a non-means-tested benefit designed to help individuals aged 16 to 64 with a long-term disability or health condition. The goal of PIP is to provide financial support for the extra costs that people with disabilities may face in daily life. PIP replaced the Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for adults and is assessed based on the impact of your condition, rather than the condition itself.

The Two Components of PIP

PIP is made up of two parts:

Daily Living Component: For individuals who need help with everyday activities such as cooking, washing, dressing, and managing medication.
Mobility Component: For individuals who need help with moving around, whether that’s due to physical limitations or difficulty navigating public transport or other areas.

Each component can be awarded at either a standard or enhanced rate, depending on the severity of your condition.

Eligibility for PIP

To qualify for PIP, you must meet certain criteria:

Age: You must be between 16 and 64 years old.
Disability: You must have a long-term physical or mental health condition that affects your ability to perform daily tasks or get around.
Residency: You need to be living in the UK and have lived in the country for at least two of the last three years.
Duration of Condition: Your condition must be expected to last for at least 12 months.

PIP is not means-tested, so the amount of money you earn or your savings won’t impact your eligibility. Instead, it is based on how your disability affects your ability to live independently.

More information on PIP eligibility and assessment from .gov can be found here.

How to Apply for PIP

The process of applying for PIP typically involves several steps:

Initial Claim: The first step is to fill out a claim form, which you can do by phone, online, or via post. The form will ask about your disability, how it affects your daily life, and what assistance you need. This is where you will start your DWP PIP claim process. If you’re ready to claim PIP, you can begin by contacting the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).
PIP assessment: After submitting the form, you’ll usually be invited to an assessment. This may be in person or by phone, where a healthcare professional will ask you questions to understand the impact of your condition.
Decision: After the assessment, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) will make a decision regarding your claim. If your claim is successful, you’ll receive your PIP payments.

PIP is usually paid every four weeks, and you will need to have regular reviews to ensure that your condition and needs haven’t changed.

Additional Support and Appeals

If your PIP claim doesn’t go as planned or you disagree with the decision, don’t worry – you have options to challenge it.

Mandatory Reconsideration: First, you can ask the DWP to review the decision by requesting a mandatory reconsideration. This gives you a chance to provide any extra details or evidence that might help support your case.
Appealing to a Tribunal: If the reconsideration doesn’t change things, you can take it further by appealing to an independent tribunal. A panel will review your case and make a final decision about your PIP entitlement.

If you’re appealing, bear in mind that you’ll still receive your PIP payments while the process is going on, as long as your claim was successful in the first place. Be sure to gather any relevant evidence, like medical reports or statements, to help back up your appeal.

What is a Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG)?

A Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG) is a local council grant that helps individuals with disabilities to carry out necessary adaptations to their homes. These adaptations can improve accessibility and safety, helping you maintain independence in your home.

Types of Adaptations Covered by DFGs

A DFG can be used to fund a range of adaptations in your home, including:

Widening doors or creating ramps for wheelchair access.
Installing a stairlift or a lift for easier movement between floors.
Modifying bathrooms to allow easier access (e.g., installing a walk-in shower or a disabled-accessible toilet).
Providing specialist equipment such as a bed hoist or a wheelchair-accessible kitchen.

The purpose of these adaptations is to allow you to stay in your own home longer and to make daily life more manageable.

Eligibility for a Disabled Facilities Grant

To qualify for a DFG, you must meet the following criteria:

Disability: You must have a physical or mental disability that makes it difficult to live independently in your home.
Need for Adaptation: The adaptations you are requesting must be necessary for your health and well-being.
Age: There is no age limit for applicants, but if you are under 18, your parent or guardian will usually apply on your behalf.

The amount you can receive through a DFG depends on your local council's policies, but there is a maximum grant limit of £30,000 for most homeowners. If you are a tenant, you can apply for a DFG, but the landlord must also agree to the proposed adaptations.

How to Apply for a DFG

To apply for a DFG, follow these steps:

Contact Your Local Council: Start by contacting your local council's social services or housing department. They will assess your needs and determine if you qualify for the grant.
Assessment: A professional, usually an occupational therapist, will carry out an assessment of your home and disability to determine the appropriate adaptations you need.
Approval: If your application is successful, your local council will approve the grant and arrange for the necessary work to be carried out.

The DFG process can take some time, so it's important to plan for potential waiting periods before work begins.

Comparing PIP and DFG: How They Can Work Together

PIP and DFG are two separate types of financial help, but they can work together to make life a bit easier. PIP gives you regular support to cover the extra costs of living with a disability, while the DFG helps fund home improvements that can make your daily routine more manageable.

For example, if you’re getting PIP and need some home modifications – like a wheelchair ramp or a bathroom redesign – you can apply for a DFG to help pay for those changes. Together, these benefits can offer a more complete support system, helping you live more independently and improve your overall quality of life.

FAQs

1. What is the difference between PIP and DFG?

Personal Independence Payment (PIP) is a financial support benefit that helps individuals with disabilities or long-term health conditions cover additional costs associated with daily living and mobility. A Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG) is a grant provided by local councils to help pay for home adaptations to improve accessibility and safety for people with disabilities.

2. How do I apply for Personal Independence Payment (PIP)?

To apply for PIP, you’ll need to make a telephone number to the PIP ‘new claims phone line’. You’ll then be sent a form to fill out form from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).

PIP New claims numbers:

Telephone: 0800 917 2222
Textphone: 0800 917 7777
Numbers above correct as of 30/01/2025

The form asks about your condition, how it impacts your day-to-day life, and what kind of help you might need. Once you’ve submitted it, you may be asked to attend an assessment, and the DWP will decide if you’re eligible based on your answers.

3. Can I check if I’m eligible for PIP before applying?

The government is testing a new eligibility checker to find out if you may be eligible before applying and if you can PIP claim online.
You can access the checker here.

4. How much do people on PIP get paid per week on average?

How much PIP depends on how difficult you find daily living tasks (everyday activities) and getting around (mobility tasks).

PIP amounts

	Lower weekly rate	Higher weekly rate
Daily living part	£72.65	£108.55
Mobility part	£28.70	£75.75

Figures above correct as of 30/01/2025

In addition to the standard PIP payments, there may be opportunities to receive a PIP cost of living payment, which is an additional support measure introduced to help with rising living costs. This is separate from the regular PIP payment and is meant to assist claimants with extra financial pressures.

5. Can I claim PIP if I am employed?

Yes, you can claim PIP if you are employed. PIP is not means-tested, so your income or employment status will not affect your eligibility. It is based on how your condition affects your ability to carry out daily tasks and get around.

6. What illnesses and conditions qualify for PIP?

You can qualify for PIP if you have a long-term health condition or disability that affects your ability to perform daily activities or move around. This includes physical conditions (such as mobility issues or chronic pain), mental health conditions, sensory impairments, and neurological conditions.

7. How much can I receive from PIP?

The amount you can receive from PIP depends on the severity of your condition and the level of support you need. PIP has two components – the Daily Living Component and the Mobility Component. Each component can be paid at either a standard or enhanced rate, depending on the impact of your condition.

8. What is the maximum amount I can get from a Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG)?

The maximum grant you can receive from a Disabled Facilities Grant is £30,000 in England. The amount may vary depending on the local council's regulations and your specific needs, and in some cases, additional funding may be available for specific cases.

9. Who is eligible for a Disabled Facilities Grant?

To be eligible for a DFG, you must have a disability that makes it difficult to carry out daily activities in your home. There is no age restriction, but if you are under 18, your parent or guardian will usually apply on your behalf. The adaptations must be necessary for your health and well-being.

10. How do I apply for a Disabled Facilities Grant?

To apply for a DFG, you need to contact your local council’s social services or housing department. An assessment, typically carried out by an occupational therapist, will be conducted to determine the necessary adaptations. Once the application is processed and approved, the council will arrange for the adaptations to be made.

11. Can I receive both PIP and a Disabled Facilities Grant?

Yes, you can receive both PIP and a DFG. PIP is a financial benefit that helps with the additional costs of living with a disability, while a DFG helps with the cost of home adaptations. Receiving PIP may help with funding for other disability-related needs, while a DFG can help improve your home to make it more accessible.

12. How long does it take to get a decision on my PIP claim?

The time it takes to receive a decision on your PIP claim can vary. On average, it may take around 8 weeks for the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to process your claim and make a decision. However, delays can occur, particularly if further evidence or an assessment is required. If you are waiting for a decision, you can track the progress of your claim through the DWP.

13. Can I receive carer’s allowance and PIP at the same time?

Yes, you can receive both Carer’s Allowance and PIP at the same time, but there are a few things to keep in mind. Carer’s Allowance is for individuals who care for someone with a disability, while PIP is for the person with the disability. If you receive PIP and have someone who cares for you, they may be eligible for Carer’s Allowance, depending on their circumstances.

However, if you receive the "enhanced" rate of PIP for the mobility component, it may affect their Carer’s Allowance. Be sure to check with the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) or a benefits advisor to understand the full details of how these two payments work together.

Helpful Websites: Citizens Advice, Age UK, Turn to Us, Carer UK , Sense, Mencap, Disability Claims UK, Marie Curie

Posted in: The Essential Edit

Caroline Revell

In her previous life before transitioning to a career in marketing, Caroline spent several years working on the front lines of the care sector working in care homes for the elderly and as a 24/7 live-in carer, both professionally and while caring for a close family member awaiting hip replacement surgery during COVID. Caroline is a proud mother of two grown-up children and currently works at Moneyfactscompare in Norwich.