Can You Claim PIP After 65? Age Rules Explained

PIP has an upper age limit tied to State Pension age. If you're already receiving PIP, your award continues past State Pension age. But if you've never claimed before, things get more complicated.

The Basic Rule

You can make a new PIP claim if you're aged 16 or over but have not yet reached State Pension age. In 2026, State Pension age is 66 for both men and women. From 2028, it will gradually increase to 67.

If you're already past State Pension age and have never claimed PIP (or DLA before it), you cannot make a new PIP claim. Instead, you should claim Attendance Allowance, which covers daily living needs but not mobility.

What If I Already Have PIP?

If you were awarded PIP before reaching State Pension age, your award continues. You keep both the daily living and mobility components. When your award comes up for review, you'll be reassessed under the same PIP criteria.

This is actually a significant advantage over Attendance Allowance, which has no mobility component. If you're approaching State Pension age and think you might qualify for PIP, claim before your birthday. Once you're past State Pension age, you lose the chance to get the mobility component forever.

PIP vs Attendance Allowance

PIP has daily living (up to £110.40/week) plus mobility (up to £77.05/week). Total maximum: £187.45/week.

Attendance Allowance has only two rates: lower (£73.90/week) and higher (£110.40/week). No mobility component at all. Maximum: £110.40/week.

The difference is up to £77.05 per week - over £4,000 per year - plus access to Motability and automatic Blue Badge eligibility.

What If I Claimed DLA Before PIP Existed?

If you were on DLA and have been reassessed for PIP, your PIP award continues past State Pension age. If you were on DLA and somehow haven't been reassessed yet (rare in 2026), your DLA continues until the DWP contacts you.

I'm 64 - Should I Claim Now?

Yes. If you have any health condition affecting your daily life or mobility, claim PIP before you reach State Pension age. Even if your claim takes months to process, it's the date you made the initial phone call that counts, not the date of the decision. As long as you start the claim before your State Pension age, you're eligible.

Frequently Asked Questions

I'm 65 and my health is getting worse. What should I do?

Check your exact State Pension age at gov.uk/state-pension-age. If you haven't reached it yet, claim PIP immediately - even if your claim takes months, it's the date of your initial phone call that counts. If you've already passed State Pension age, claim Attendance Allowance instead.

I'm on DLA and approaching 65. What happens?

If the DWP hasn't yet invited you to claim PIP, your DLA continues. When they do invite you, your DLA continues until a PIP decision is made. You keep both components if you qualify.