PIP for Chronic Pain & Back Problems: Claiming Guide (2026)
By the RightfulUK team • • 5 min read • Reviewed for accuracy
Chronic pain is one of the most common reasons people claim PIP, and one of the most frequently underscored. Why? Because pain is invisible, variable, and hard to prove on paper.
But chronic pain can score highly on PIP — if you describe it the right way.
Which Activities Score Points for Pain?
Chronic pain and back problems can score across nearly all 12 activities:
Preparing food — Standing at the cooker causes pain. Gripping utensils is difficult. Need to sit down frequently.
Washing — Can't get in/out of bath. Can't reach feet or back. Need grab rails and shower seat.
Dressing — Can't bend to put on socks/shoes. Can't reach behind to fasten bra. Need adapted clothing.
Toilet needs — Can't sit down or stand up without rails. Pain when wiping.
Moving around — This is the BIG one. How far can you walk? Pain, stiffness, risk of falls.
Many chronic pain sufferers score points on 6+ activities.
How to Describe Pain on the PIP Form
The DWP doesn't score pain itself — they score how pain affects FUNCTION. So don't write 'I have chronic pain.' Write what you CAN'T DO because of pain:
Instead of: 'My back hurts when I cook' Say: 'I cannot stand for more than 5 minutes due to pain in my lower back. After standing to make a cup of tea, I need to lie down for 30 minutes. I haven't cooked a meal from scratch in 6 months.'
Instead of: 'Walking is painful' Say: 'I can walk approximately 30 metres before the pain in my back and legs becomes so severe I have to stop. I use a walking stick. I have fallen twice in the last month because my legs give way.'
The reliability test is crucial for pain: - Can you do it REPEATEDLY? (or does pain worsen after each attempt?) - Can you do it SAFELY? (does pain cause you to lose grip, fall, or burn yourself?) - In REASONABLE TIME? (does pain mean everything takes 3x longer?)
Evidence for Pain Claims
Pain is hard to prove medically. Gather:
- GP letters mentioning frequency and severity of pain - Pain clinic or specialist letters - Prescription history (painkillers, anti-inflammatories, nerve pain medication) - Physiotherapy reports - MRI or X-ray results (if available) - A pain diary — record pain levels daily for at least a month - Witness statements describing what they see you struggle with
Common Mistakes With Pain Claims
1. Describing good days — PIP is about the MAJORITY of days. If you have 4 bad days out of 7, describe the bad days.
2. Not mentioning medication effects — Side effects of painkillers (drowsiness, nausea, brain fog) can score points on Activities 3, 9, and 10.
3. Overestimating walking distance — Most people overestimate. 50 metres is about 12 car lengths. Measure it properly.
4. Forgetting aids — Walking stick, perching stool, grab rails, TENS machine, heat pads — all count as aids and evidence that you can't manage without help.
Mobility Component for Pain
Activity 12 (Moving Around) is where pain sufferers often score highest:
- Can walk 50-200m = 4 points - Can walk 20-50m = 8 points - Can walk less than 20m = 12 points (Enhanced Mobility)
Remember the reliability test: Can you walk that distance SAFELY (without falling), REPEATEDLY (more than once), to an ACCEPTABLE STANDARD (without severe pain), in REASONABLE TIME?
Enhanced Mobility unlocks the Motability scheme, Blue Badge, and free vehicle tax.
Related Articles
- PIP for Mental Health: Why Claims Fail and How to Get It Right — 5 min read
- 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
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