Fill in the PIP form

After you start your PIP claim, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) will send you a form to complete. You can choose to receive a paper form or an online form (online application is available only in certain areas).

If you choose a paper form, it usually arrives within two weeks of your phone call. The form is called ‘How your disability affects you’ and includes an information booklet.

This link shows you what the form looks like (PDF 672kb). However, you need to use the form the DWP sends you and not this sample form.

You can use the Turn2us PIP Helper, a step-by-step guide to applying for PIP, to work out your possible PIP entitlement and get personalised tips on how to answer each question on the form based on the information you provide.

Use the Turn2us PIP Helper

Filling in the PIP form

Deadline for returning your form

You need to send your form back within one month for your PIP claim to go ahead. If you need more time, contact the DWP using the phone number on your letter and explain why you need an extension.

If you miss the deadline without a good reason, the DWP may refuse your claim. If this happens, you can explain why your form was late, make a new claim, or challenge the decision. You can find more information about challenging a PIP decision.

What to include in your answers

Answer every question and give as much detail as you can, especially when you say you have difficulty with an activity or need help.

The DWP will not know how your condition affects you unless you tell them.

When you answer the questions about your day-to-day activities, think about the help you need (from a person or a thing) to do each activity:

• Safely
• Well enough (including without experiencing too much pain or exhaustion)
• Often enough
• Without it taking too long 

Remember to include any help you need from another person, equipment or aids.

Your answer don't need to be perfect. For help understanding what information is important, use our interactive tool, the Turn2s PIP Helper by:

• Answering the PIP questionnaire to understand your possible PIP entitlement and
• Get personalised tips on how to answer each question on the form based on the information you provide.

Use the Turn2us PIP Helper

Tips for completing the form

Filling in the form can be difficult. These tips may help:

• Take your time as you don’t have to complete the form all at once. Do a little at a time, take breaks and return to questions that need more thought.
• You can use extra pages if needed by writing answers on separate sheets or type them and print out. Use the method that works best for you.
• Ask for more time if you need it – contact the DWP and explain why.
• Get help – you don’t have to complete the form alone. Someone you trust can help you answer, keep you company while completing it or fill in the form for you. You can use the Turn2us Find an Adviser tool to find support near you such as a benefits adviser.