Personal Independence Payment (PIP)

PIP replaces Disability Living Allowance Disability Living Allowance for children A benefit that helps when your child needs much more care, or watching over, than other children the same age. Your child does not need a diagnosis to get it. Read the full definition of Disability Living Allowance for children (DLA DLA A benefit that helps with the extra costs of looking after a disabled child under 16. In Scotland it is called Child Disability Payment instead. Read the full definition of DLA ) when a young person turns 16 in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Shortly before their birthday, the Department for Work and Pensions writes to invite a claim. This is a new claim, not a transfer: there are forms about how your child manages everyday tasks and getting around, and usually an assessment. DLA payments stop if the claim is not made in time, so the letter matters.

PIP has two parts, daily living and mobility, and it is based on how much help someone needs, not on their diagnosis. Awards often come out differently from DLA, so it is worth getting help with the forms from a welfare rights service.

In Scotland the system is different: Child Disability Payment Child Disability Payment Money to help with the extra costs of a disabled child in Scotland. It has taken the place of DLA for children there. Read the full definition of Child Disability Payment moves to Adult Disability Payment Adult Disability Payment A Scottish benefit for disabled people aged 16 and over. In Scotland, young people move to this instead of PIP. Read the full definition of Adult Disability Payment instead.