How to understand your PIP decision

Find out when you will get your PIP decision, how to understand it, and what to do if you disagree with the outcome.

The Department for Communities (DfC) will decide on your PIP claim following your PIP medical assessment. The DfC make their decision on the following information:

• Your PIP form
• The documents and supporting evidence you sent with your PIP form
• The independent assessors report from your PIP medical assessment.

PIP decision letter

The DfC will send you a letter explaining their decision on your PIP claim. The letter confirms whether your PIP claim has been successful or not, which PIP components you will receive, and the rate, and the points you score for each descriptor on the PIP test.

You should keep your PIP decision letter as you may need to give copies if you claim other benefits, or you will want to show this to a welfare advisor if you disagree with the decision.

When do PIP payments start

Once you have received your decision, PIP will be paid directly into your bank, building or post office account every four weeks – If you’re living with a terminal illness, it will be weekly.

If you disagree with your PIP decision

If you disagree with the decision, you have one month from the date you received the letter to challenge it - you do this by asking for a mandatory reconsideration for PIP.

If you want to understand why the DfC made the decision they did, you can ask them to explain it - The DfC can explain their decision over the phone or in writing. To ask for an explanation, you should contact the DfC using the details in your decision letter.

Get dedicated advice

If you need help to understand the decision about your PIP or you’re not sure what to do next, you can find a local welfare adviser to help.