Claiming Personal Independence Payment after a workplace injury

By Chris Salmon | Updated: September 15, 2025

Personal Independence Payment (PIP) is a benefit that helps people who have a long-term illness or disability that affects their daily life or mobility. If you have been injured at work and your injury has lasting effects, you may be eligible to claim PIP.

At a glance

PIP is for people whose condition affects daily living or mobility.
You can claim PIP even if you are still working or receiving other benefits.
PIP is not means-tested, so your income or savings do not affect your eligibility.
The benefit is based on how your condition affects your ability to manage everyday tasks, not the condition itself.

Who can claim PIP?

You may be eligible for PIP if your workplace injury has left you with difficulties that have lasted, or are expected to last, at least 12 months. You must also be under State Pension age when you make your claim.

Eligibility depends on how your condition affects you rather than the type of injury you sustained. For example, someone with a back injury may be eligible if it affects their ability to cook, wash, or move around unaided.

More details are available on the UK Government website.

Daily living and mobility components

PIP is made up of two components:

Daily living component: For people who need help with everyday activities such as cooking, dressing, or managing medication.
Mobility component: For people who have difficulty moving around or planning and following journeys.

You may receive one or both components, depending on how your injury affects you. Each component has a standard rate and an enhanced rate.

How to claim PIP after a workplace injury

The process usually involves:

Starting your claim: Call the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to start your application.
Completing the form: You will receive a 'How your disability affects you' form. This asks about your condition and how it impacts your daily life.
Medical assessment: In most cases, you will be invited to a face-to-face or telephone assessment with a healthcare professional. They will consider your evidence and ask questions about your daily activities.
DWP decision: The DWP will decide if you qualify and at what rate.

Further guidance is available from Citizens Advice.

PIP and other benefits

PIP can be claimed alongside most other benefits, including Universal Credit, Statutory Sick Pay, and Employment and Support Allowance. Because PIP is not means-tested, your savings or income will not reduce your entitlement.

If your claim is refused

If your PIP application is refused, you can ask the DWP to look at the decision again. This is called a ‘mandatory reconsideration’. If you are still unhappy with the outcome, you have the right to appeal to an independent tribunal.

For help with appeals, you may wish to contact a welfare rights adviser or seek free advice from Turn2us.

Key takeaways

PIP can help cover extra costs if your work injury has left you with long-term difficulties.
Eligibility is based on how your condition affects you, not just the type of injury.
You can claim PIP in addition to other benefits.
If refused, you have the right to challenge the decision.

External references

GOV.UK: Personal Independence Payment (PIP) - official government overview of PIP.
GOV.UK: PIP eligibility - explains who qualifies based on daily living and mobility needs.
GOV.UK: PIP how to claim - guidance on the application process and assessments.
Citizens Advice: Help with PIP - advice on making a claim and preparing for assessment.
Turn2us - charity offering guidance on welfare benefits and grants.

About the author

Chris Salmon is a legal commentator and co-founder of Quittance Legal Services. He has written extensively about workplace accidents, employment rights and the claims process. Chris's work has been cited in national media and he regularly contributes practical guidance to help injured workers understand their options.

More about Chris and WAAC

Last reviewed September 2025 by Chris Salmon

Have you been injured at work?

If you have been injured at work in the last 3 years, you may be able to claim financial compensation.

Find out more about making a work accident claim:

Do you qualify?
How much compensation could you get?
How does No Win, No Fee work?