16. Personal independence payment

Personal independence payment (PIP) is a benefit for people with mobility problems and/or care needs as a result of a disability who are aged between 16 and pension age. It replaces disability living allowance (DLA) for claimants in this age range. If you are aged 16 or over and are already on DLA, you will be invited to claim PIP, unless you were already aged 65 or over on 8 April 2013.

PIP has two components:

•a daily living component, paid at either the standard rate or the enhanced rate;
•a mobility component, paid at either the standard or the enhanced rate.

You can get either the daily living component or the mobility component, or both. PIP is not means tested and you do not have to have paid any national insurance contributions to get it.

The Department for Work and Pensions is responsible for the administration of PIP.

PIP will eventually transfer to the Scottish government. When that happens, new claims for PIP in Scotland will be replaced by claims for disability assistance. Social Security Scotland will be responsible for administering and paying disability assistance.