Can I get PIP for COPD?

Yes, COPD can qualify for PIP if it affects your daily living or mobility activities. You could receive up to 8 points per affected descriptor. PIP is not based on your diagnosis alone — it’s about how your condition affects you day to day.

How many PIP points can I get for COPD?

The points depend on how COPD affects each activity. Across 3 relevant descriptors, you could receive up to 8 points per descriptor. You need 8 points for standard rate and 12 for enhanced rate.

What evidence do I need for a COPD PIP claim?

For a COPD PIP claim, you should gather: a letter from your GP or specialist confirming your diagnosis and how it affects you, any hospital or clinic letters, medication lists, and statements from people who help you. The more evidence showing how COPD affects your daily activities, the stronger your claim.

What if my COPD PIP claim is denied?

If your COPD PIP claim is denied, you have one month to request a Mandatory Reconsideration. If that fails, you can appeal to an independent tribunal — where 73% of PIP appeals succeed. Use our free Mandatory Reconsideration letter builder to challenge the decision.

How does the PIP assessment work for COPD?

The PIP assessment for COPD involves a health professional asking how your condition affects 12 daily living and mobility activities. They score you using descriptors. Always answer based on your worst days, not your best. Remember the reliability test: can you do it safely, repeatedly, to an acceptable standard, and in a reasonable time?

COPD and PIP: Complete Guide to Descriptors & Points

If you have COPD, you may be entitled to PIP (Personal Independence Payment). This guide shows which PIP descriptors apply to your condition and how many points you could receive.

Last updated: February 2026 | Based on Social Security (Personal Independence Payment) Regulations 2013

Which PIP Activities Does COPD Affect?

Managing therapy or monitoring a health condition

Descriptor 3g: Needs supervision, prompting or assistance to manage therapy that takes more than 14 hours a week — 8 points (e.g. overnight ventilation monitoring, complex care regime)

Washing and bathing

Descriptor 4b: Needs to use an aid or appliance to wash or bathe — 2 points (e.g. shower stool, grab rails, long-handled sponge)

Moving around

Descriptor 12b: Can stand and move more than 50 metres but no more than 200 metres — 4 points (e.g. pain limits distance, breathlessness)

How to Claim PIP for COPD

Use our free PIP eligibility checker to estimate your points
Answer based on your worst days, not your best days
Remember the reliability test: can you do it safely, repeatedly, to an acceptable standard, in a reasonable time?
Gather supporting evidence from your GP or specialist

Already Been Denied?

73% of PIP appeals succeed at tribunal. If you’ve been denied, use our Mandatory Reconsideration letter builder to challenge the decision.