How to Apply for PIP: Step-by-Step Guide (2026)
By the RightfulUK team • • 5 min read • Reviewed for accuracy
Applying for PIP can feel overwhelming. The form is long, the process is confusing, and the stakes are high. But if you follow these steps carefully, you'll give yourself the best possible chance.
This guide walks you through every stage of the PIP application process.
Step 1: Make the Initial Phone Call
PIP applications start with a phone call to the DWP:
Phone: 0800 917 2222 (textphone: 0800 917 7777) Hours: Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm
They'll ask for: - Your name, date of birth, National Insurance number - Your address and phone number - Your GP's name and address - Your bank details - Your nationality and immigration status
The call takes about 20 minutes. Someone can call on your behalf with your permission.
Important: Your claim date is the date of this call. The sooner you call, the more backpay you could receive.
Step 2: Fill in the PIP2 Form
After the call, you'll receive the 'How your disability affects you' form (PIP2). You have ONE MONTH to return it.
The form covers 12 activities: - Preparing food, eating, managing medication, washing, toilet needs, dressing, communicating, reading, engaging with others, budgeting, planning journeys, and moving around.
Golden rules for the form: - Describe your WORST days, not your best - Use specific examples with dates - Mention every person who helps you - List all aids and adaptations - Apply the reliability test to everything - Don't leave boxes empty — write 'not applicable' if needed
Step 3: Gather Evidence
Evidence strengthens your claim enormously. Collect:
- GP letters describing your conditions and their impact - Consultant or specialist letters - Prescription lists (showing ongoing treatment) - Hospital discharge summaries - Occupational therapy reports - Mental health team letters - Witness statements from family, friends, or carers
Send copies, never originals. The DWP has been known to lose documents.
Step 4: Attend the Assessment
Most claimants are invited to an assessment (face-to-face, telephone, or video). Tips:
- Don't minimise your struggles - Describe typical days, not best days - If someone helps you, bring them - Take notes or have someone take notes for you - If you need breaks, say so - Don't say you're 'fine' out of politeness
The assessment usually lasts 30-60 minutes.
Step 5: The Decision
You'll receive a letter with your decision, usually within 8-12 weeks of the assessment.
If you're awarded PIP: - Payments are usually backdated to your claim date - Awards are typically for 2-10 years - You'll have a review date
If you're denied or get fewer points than expected: - Don't panic — 73% of appeals succeed - Request Mandatory Reconsideration within one month - Get your assessment report to check for errors
Related Articles
- PIP Denied? Here's Exactly What to Do Next (2026 Guide) — 4 min read
- Helping Someone with Their PIP Appeal: A Guide for Family and Friends — 5 min read
- PIP Backpay: How Much Could You Get? (Calculator + Guide) — 3 min read
- Disability Benefits UK: Complete Guide to Every Benefit You Can Claim (2026) — 7 min read
Related Tools & Guides
- Free PIP Eligibility Checker — estimate your likely points
- Mandatory Reconsideration Letter Builder — challenge the DWP decision
- Tribunal Preparation Tool — practice panel questions
- PIP Condition Guides — descriptors for your condition