PIP Descriptors Explained in Simple English (All 12 Activities)
By the RightfulUK team • • 8 min read • Reviewed for accuracy
PIP has 12 activities, 10 for Daily Living, 2 for Mobility. Each activity has several "descriptors" worth different points.
The language is confusing on purpose. Here's what it all actually means.
How Points Work
Daily Living: - 8-11 points = Standard Rate (£72.65/week) - 12+ points = Enhanced Rate (£108.55/week)
Mobility: - 8-11 points = Standard Rate (£28.70/week) - 12+ points = Enhanced Rate (£75.75/week)
You can get both components. Maximum = £184.30/week.
Activity 1: Preparing Food
What it means: Can you cook a simple meal from fresh ingredients? (Not microwaving ready meals)
Key points: - 0 points: Can cook unaided - 2 points: Need aids (perching stool, timer) OR can only microwave - 4 points: Need supervision or help - 8 points: Cannot cook at all
Common mistake: Saying you "can cook" when you only microwave. That's 2 points, not 0.
Activity 2: Taking Nutrition
What it means: Can you eat and drink once food is in front of you?
Key points: - 2 points: Need help cutting food - 4 points: Need prompting to eat - 10 points: Cannot feed yourself
Common mistake: Confusing this with cooking. This is about the physical act of eating.
Activity 3: Managing Therapy
What it means: Can you take medication, do exercises, or manage medical equipment?
Key points: - Dosette boxes = aid = at least 1 point - Someone checking you took meds = prompting - Time spent on therapy counts (more time = more points)
Common mistake: Forgetting that a partner reminding you to take pills is "prompting", it scores points.
Activity 4: Washing and Bathing
What it means: Can you wash your whole body?
Key points: - 2 points: Need grab rails, shower seat, long-handled sponge - 2 points: Can't wash hair or below waist - 8 points: Cannot wash at all
Common mistake: Saying you "can wash" when you do strip washes because baths are dangerous.
Activity 5: Toilet Needs
What it means: Can you get on/off toilet and clean yourself?
Key points: - 2 points: Use raised seat, rails, or incontinence pads - 4 points: Need help cleaning or adjusting clothes - 8 points: Need help with bowel incontinence
Common mistake: Not mentioning incontinence pads, they're an aid and score 2 points automatically.
Activity 6: Dressing
What it means: Can you put on normal clothes with buttons, zips, laces?
Key points: - 2 points: Only wear Velcro shoes or elasticated waists due to disability - 4 points: Need help with upper body - 8 points: Cannot dress at all
Common mistake: Saying you "can dress" when you've adapted your wardrobe to avoid difficulties.
Activity 7: Communicating Verbally
What it means: Can you speak and hear? (Not about social anxiety, that's Activity 9)
Key points: - 2 points: Use hearing aids - 4 points: Need help understanding complex speech - 12 points: Cannot communicate at all
Common mistake: Talking about social anxiety here. This is purely mechanical speech/hearing.
Activity 8: Reading
What it means: Can you read and understand written information?
Key points: - Normal glasses don't count - 2 points: Need magnifier, large print, screen reader - 8 points: Cannot read at all
Common mistake: Mentioning ordinary glasses. They don't count as aids here.
Activity 9: Engaging with Others
What it means: Can you interact with people face-to-face?
Key points: - 2 points: Need encouragement to engage - 4 points: Need a "safe person" with you - 8 points: Social situations cause overwhelming distress
Common mistake: Saying you "can talk to family." The test is about strangers and new relationships.
Activity 10: Budgeting
What it means: Can you make financial decisions?
Key points: - 2 points: Need help with bills and complex decisions - 4 points: Need help calculating change - 6 points: Cannot make any financial decisions
Common mistake: Thinking this is about handling coins physically. It's about cognitive decision-making.
Activity 11: Planning Journeys
What it means: Can you plan and follow routes? (For mental health, cognitive issues, blindness, NOT physical pain)
Key points: - 4 points: Need prompting to leave the house (anxiety) - 10 points: Cannot follow unfamiliar routes alone - 12 points: Cannot follow even familiar routes alone
Common mistake: Talking about walking pain here. That's Activity 12.
Activity 12: Moving Around
What it means: How far can you walk?
Key points: - 50m = about 12 car lengths - 4 points: Can walk 50-200m - 8 points: Can walk 20-50m unaided - 12 points: Can walk less than 20m
Common mistake: Overestimating distance. And forgetting the reliability test, can you walk that distance SAFELY, REPEATEDLY, without excessive pain?
Related Articles
- PIP Daily Living Component: All 10 Activities Explained Simply — 6 min read
- PIP Mobility Component: How to Score Points & Get Enhanced Rate — 5 min read
- Disability Rights UK: Know Your Rights Under the Equality Act (2026) — 5 min read
- PIP Eligibility: Who Can Claim PIP in 2026? (Simple Checklist) — 4 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