PIP for Addison's Disease - Can You Claim? Guide 2026

Addison’s disease (adrenal insufficiency) can significantly affect daily functioning. The crushing fatigue, dizziness, muscle weakness, nausea, and the ever-present risk of adrenal crisis create genuine functional limitations across multiple PIP activities. Many people with Addison’s are told they should be “fine on steroids” but the reality is that even with treatment, daily functioning is often severely affected.

Which Activities Does Addison’s Affect?

Preparing Food (Activity 1) – Fatigue and dizziness make standing to cook dangerous. Muscle weakness means you cannot lift pans or stand for the time needed. Nausea prevents cooking. If you need to sit down repeatedly during food preparation, you cannot complete the task safely or in a reasonable time.

Managing Therapy (Activity 3) – This is often the highest scoring activity for Addison’s. You must take hydrocortisone at specific times every day, adjust doses when ill (sick day rules), carry an emergency injection kit at all times, wear a medical alert, attend regular blood tests, and manage complex dose adjustments. If you need prompting to take medication or someone needs to know how to give you an emergency injection, this scores highly.

Washing and Bathing (Activity 4) – Dizziness and fatigue in hot water. Risk of collapse in the shower. Muscle weakness making it hard to wash. If your partner helps you bathe, this scores.

Moving Around (Activity 12) – Fatigue limiting walking distance. Dizziness and weakness on exertion. Muscle and joint pain. How far can you actually walk on a bad day before dizziness or fatigue forces you to stop?

Planning Journeys (Activity 11) – You must always know where the nearest hospital is in case of adrenal crisis. You cannot travel anywhere without your emergency kit. The stress of travelling can trigger symptoms. If you need someone with you in case of crisis, this scores.

What Evidence Helps?

• Endocrinologist letters – confirming diagnosis and treatment regime
• GP records – frequency of dose adjustments, hospital admissions for crisis
• Hospital records – any adrenal crisis admissions
• Steroid card and emergency kit – evidence of constant medication need
• Partner or carer statement – describing daily support and crisis preparation

Frequently Asked Questions

I take my steroids and feel OK most days. Can I still claim?

PIP assesses you with treatment. Even on steroids, most people with Addison’s have significant fatigue, need to manage complex medication timing, carry emergency equipment, and adjust doses when ill. The management burden alone can score points. Describe what you do every day to manage your condition, not just how you feel when everything is going right.