PIP for Young Adults - Claiming PIP at 16, 17 or 18

You can claim PIP from age 16. If you were on DLA as a child, the DWP will invite you to claim PIP instead - usually around your 16th birthday. If you've never claimed before, you can make a new claim at any time from age 16 onwards.

Moving from DLA to PIP

The DWP will write to you (or your parent/guardian) inviting you to claim PIP. Your DLA continues until a PIP decision is made, so there shouldn't be a gap in payments. However, PIP and DLA use different assessment criteria, so your award may change - up or down.

The PIP assessment looks at 12 specific activities and scores them with descriptors. DLA was more general. Some young people get more on PIP than they did on DLA; others get less. It depends entirely on how your condition affects you day-to-day.

Claiming PIP for the First Time at 16-18

If you weren't on DLA and develop a condition (or an existing condition worsens), you can make a new PIP claim from your 16th birthday. Call 0800 917 2222 to start. You can have a parent or anyone else help you with the call and the form.

If you're under 18, a parent or guardian can act as your "appointee" - meaning they handle the claim on your behalf. After 18, you manage it yourself unless you lack mental capacity, in which case an appointee can be formally appointed.

PIP and Student Finance

PIP does not affect student loans, grants, or bursaries. It is not counted as income. If you're at university or college, you can receive PIP alongside your student finance without any reduction to either.

In fact, receiving PIP may qualify you for additional student support:

• Disabled Students' Allowance (DSA) - extra funding for equipment, support workers, and travel
• Higher maintenance loan in some circumstances
• Bursaries from your university for disabled students

PIP and Living with Parents

Living with your parents does not affect your PIP eligibility or the amount you receive. PIP is based on your functional needs, not your living arrangements. Whether you live with parents, in student halls, or independently, the same rules apply.

Common Conditions in Young Adults

The most common conditions for PIP claims in 16-25 year olds are ADHD, autism, anxiety, depression, learning disabilities, and type 1 diabetes. All of these can score well on PIP if described properly. Many young people underscore themselves because they've grown up with their condition and think their difficulties are "normal."