PIP Daily Living Component: All 10 Activities Explained Simply
By the RightfulUK team • • 6 min read • Reviewed for accuracy
The PIP Daily Living component covers 10 activities from cooking to budgeting. You need 8 points for the standard rate (£72.65/week) and 12 points for the enhanced rate (£108.55/week).
Here's how each activity works and how to score the points you deserve.
How Scoring Works
For each activity, you're matched to the descriptor that best fits your situation. Only the HIGHEST descriptor counts for each activity (you can't add up multiple descriptors within one activity).
The reliability test applies to EVERY activity. Even if you CAN do something, you score points if you can't do it: - Safely (risk of harm to yourself or others) - Repeatedly (as often as needed throughout the day) - To an acceptable standard (properly completed) - In reasonable time (not taking significantly longer than normal)
If any ONE of these fails, you qualify for a higher descriptor.
Activities 1-3: Food and Medication
Activity 1: Preparing food — Can you cook a simple meal from scratch? Not microwaving. Scoring: aids needed (2pts), supervision needed (4pts), can't cook at all (8pts).
Activity 2: Taking nutrition — Can you eat and drink once food is ready? This is about cutting food, lifting cups, swallowing. Not about cooking.
Activity 3: Managing therapy — Medication, physiotherapy, dialysis, etc. Someone reminding you to take pills = prompting = at least 1 point. Time spent on therapy matters too.
Common mistake: Saying 'I can cook' when you mean you can microwave. Microwaving = 2 points, not 0.
Activities 4-6: Personal Care
Activity 4: Washing and bathing — Can you wash your whole body? Shower seats, grab rails = aids = 2 points. Can't wash hair or reach feet = 2 points. Need someone to wash you = 4-8 points.
Activity 5: Managing toilet needs — Can you get on/off the toilet, clean yourself, manage incontinence? Raised toilet seat or incontinence pads = aids = 2 points.
Activity 6: Dressing — Can you put on and take off clothes? Adapted clothing (Velcro, elasticated waist) counts as an aid. Need help with upper body = 4 points.
Common mistake: Not mentioning aids. If you use a shower seat, grab rails, or adapted clothing, that's evidence of difficulty.
Activities 7-8: Communication
Activity 7: Communicating verbally — Can you speak and hear? Hearing aids = aids = 2 points. This is about MECHANICAL speech and hearing, not social anxiety.
Activity 8: Reading and understanding signs — Can you read? Magnifiers, screen readers, large print = aids. Normal glasses DON'T count.
Common mistake: Talking about social anxiety under Activity 7. Social interaction is covered by Activity 9.
Activities 9-10: Mental and Cognitive
Activity 9: Engaging with other people face to face — This is the BIG ONE for mental health. Need prompting to engage = 2pts. Need a safe person = 4pts. Cannot engage at all = 8pts. The test is about strangers and professionals, not family.
Activity 10: Making budgeting decisions — Can you manage money? This is COGNITIVE, not physical. Need help with bills = 2pts. Can't calculate change = 4pts. Can't make any financial decisions = 6pts.
Common mistake: Minimising mental health impact. If anxiety prevents you from answering the door or going to appointments, that's Activity 9.
Maximising Your Daily Living Score
1. Don't skip any activity — You might score points on ones you didn't expect.
2. Think about EVERY aid you use — Timer, perching stool, pill organiser, adapted cutlery, shower seat, grab rail, incontinence pads.
3. Mention EVERYONE who helps — Partner, parent, child, friend, carer, support worker.
4. Describe the majority of days — Not best days.
5. Apply the reliability test — For every single activity.
6. Use examples — Specific incidents with dates are powerful evidence.
Related Articles
- PIP Descriptors Explained in Simple English (All 12 Activities) — 8 min read
- PIP Mobility Component: How to Score Points & Get Enhanced Rate — 5 min read
- PIP Denied? Here's Exactly What to Do Next (2026 Guide) — 4 min read
- How to Write a PIP Mandatory Reconsideration Letter That Works — 6 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