Spinal injury and PIP: Complete Guide to Descriptors & Points

If you have Spinal injury, 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 Spinal injury Affect?

Managing therapy or monitoring a health condition

  • Descriptor 3f: Needs supervision, prompting or assistance to manage therapy that takes more than 7 but not more than 14 hours a week — 6 points (e.g. intensive physiotherapy regime)

Managing toilet needs or incontinence

  • Descriptor 5e: Needs assistance to manage incontinence — 6 points (e.g. help changing pads, catheter care)

Moving around

  • Descriptor 12d: Can stand and move between 1 and 20 metres using an aid or appliance — 10 points (e.g. walking frame, crutches)
  • Descriptor 12e: Can stand and move more than 1 metre but no more than 20 metres unaided — 10 points (e.g. severe weakness, balance issues)

How to Claim PIP for Spinal injury

  1. Use our free PIP eligibility checker to estimate your points
  2. Answer based on your worst days, not your best days
  3. Remember the reliability test: can you do it safely, repeatedly, to an acceptable standard, in a reasonable time?
  4. 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.