Can You Get PIP for PTSD? Evidence & Descriptors Guide
By the RightfulUK team • • 5 min read • Reviewed for accuracy
PTSD causes flashbacks, hypervigilance, nightmares, avoidance, and emotional dysregulation. These symptoms can severely affect daily functioning and score significant PIP points.
Yes, you can get PIP for PTSD. Both combat-related and civilian PTSD qualify. Complex PTSD (C-PTSD) is also recognised.
Which PIP Activities Does PTSD Affect?
PTSD commonly affects these activities:
Preparing food (Activity 1) — Flashbacks triggered by smells, sounds, or knives. Unable to concentrate. 2-4 points.
Washing and bathing (Activity 4) — Flashbacks triggered by water or being undressed. Avoiding bathrooms. 2 points.
Engaging with others (Activity 9) — Hypervigilance around strangers, trust issues, aggressive reactions to perceived threats. Descriptor 9c (needs social support) = 4 points, or 9d (cannot engage due to distress) = 8 points.
Planning journeys (Activity 11) — Fear of crowded places, hypervigilance on public transport, avoidance of specific locations. Descriptor 11b (needs prompting) = 4 points, 11e (overwhelming distress) = 10 points.
Managing therapy (Activity 3) — Complex medication regimes, therapy appointments. 1-2 points.
Budgeting (Activity 10) — Impulsive decisions during dissociative episodes. 2 points.
Describing PTSD for PIP Assessors
PTSD assessments can be re-traumatising. You have rights:
Before the assessment: - Request a same-gender assessor if relevant to your trauma - Ask for phone or video instead of face-to-face - Bring a support person who can speak on your behalf - Prepare written examples to hand over instead of verbalising
During the assessment: - You do NOT have to describe the trauma itself - Focus on SYMPTOMS and how they affect daily life - Say: 'Due to my PTSD, I experience flashbacks that cause...' rather than describing the traumatic event - If you become distressed, ask for a break
Evidence for PTSD PIP Claims
Essential: - Psychiatrist letter confirming PTSD diagnosis - Mental health team correspondence - Medication records (especially if on multiple medications) - Therapy records (CBT, EMDR, etc.)
Extra strong: - Crisis team or A&E attendance records - Records of flashback incidents with dates - Carer/family statements about daily impact - Employment records showing inability to work - Veteran services records (if applicable) - Police or domestic violence records (if relevant and you consent)
Typical PIP Scores for PTSD
Common PTSD PIP scoring:
- Preparing food: 2 points - Washing: 2 points - Engaging with others: 4-8 points - Planning journeys: 4-10 points - Managing therapy: 1-2 points - Budgeting: 2 points
Daily Living total: 11-16 points (Standard to Enhanced) Mobility total: 4-10 points (Standard to Enhanced)
Severe PTSD with agoraphobia commonly qualifies for Enhanced Rate on both components.
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Related Tools & Guides
- Free PIP Eligibility Checker — estimate your likely points
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- Tribunal Preparation Tool — practice panel questions
- PIP Condition Guides — descriptors for your condition