Can I get PIP for Dementia?

Yes, Dementia can qualify for PIP if it affects your daily living or mobility activities. You could receive up to 12 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 Dementia?

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

What evidence do I need for a Dementia PIP claim?

For a Dementia 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 Dementia affects your daily activities, the stronger your claim.

What if my Dementia PIP claim is denied?

If your Dementia 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 Dementia?

The PIP assessment for Dementia 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?

Dementia and PIP: Complete Guide to Descriptors & Points

If you have Dementia, 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 Dementia Affect?

Preparing food

Descriptor 1d: Needs prompting to prepare or cook a simple meal — 2 points (e.g. forgets to eat, lacks motivation to cook)

Managing therapy or monitoring a health condition

Descriptor 3b: Needs prompting or supervision to manage medication or therapy — 1 points (e.g. forgets to take meds, dismisses alarms, lacks insight)

Washing and bathing

Descriptor 4c: Needs supervision or prompting to wash or bathe — 2 points (e.g. lacks motivation, autistic inertia, forgets task)

Managing toilet needs or incontinence

Descriptor 5c: Needs supervision or prompting to manage toilet needs — 2 points (e.g. forgets to go, needs reminding)

Dressing and undressing

Descriptor 6c: Needs prompting to dress or undress — 2 points (e.g. needs reminder to change clothes, distracted mid-task)

Communicating verbally

Descriptor 7d: Needs communication support to express or understand basic verbal information — 8 points (e.g. cannot understand simple instructions)

Reading and understanding signs, symbols and words

Descriptor 8d: Needs prompting to read or understand basic written information — 4 points (e.g. cannot read simple letters)

Making budgeting decisions

Descriptor 10b: Needs prompting or assistance to make complex budgeting decisions — 2 points (e.g. impulsive spending, scam vulnerability, cannot prioritize bills)
Descriptor 10c: Needs prompting or assistance to make simple budgeting decisions — 4 points (e.g. cannot understand cost of items)

Planning and following journeys

Descriptor 11c: Cannot plan the route of a journey — 8 points (e.g. cannot read maps, cannot plan changes)
Descriptor 11d: Cannot follow the route of an unfamiliar journey without another person, guide dog or orientation aid — 10 points (e.g. gets lost in new places, visual impairment)
Descriptor 11f: Cannot follow the route of a familiar journey without another person, guide dog or orientation aid — 12 points (e.g. paranoia on transport, disorientation, route changes cause panic)

How to Claim PIP for Dementia

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.