How to apply for PIP with ADHD or autism in the UK

PIP is for people aged 16 to state pension age who have difficulty with daily living or getting around because of a long-term health condition or disability. ADHD and autism both count. So do co-occurring conditions like anxiety, depression, and sensory processing difficulties.

You need to have had difficulties for at least 3 months and expect them to continue for at least 9 more months. For most neurodivergent people, this is not hard to demonstrate.

PIP has two components. The daily living component covers things like preparing food, washing, managing medication, and engaging with other people. The mobility component covers planning journeys and moving around. You can be awarded one or both.

You do not need to be out of work. You do not need to be on other benefits. PIP is not means-tested. Your savings and income are irrelevant.

Call 0800 917 2222 to start your claim. You cannot apply online. The call takes about 20 minutes. They will ask for your name, address, date of birth, GP details, and a brief description of your conditions. You do not need to go into detail on the phone.

If phone calls are difficult for you, someone else can call on your behalf. They will need your permission and your National Insurance number.

After the call, the DWP will send you a form called "How your disability affects you" (PIP2). You have one month to fill it in and return it. If you need more time, call them before the deadline and ask for an extension. They will usually give you an extra two weeks.

Do not rush the form. It is the single most important part of your claim. The information you write here determines whether you are called for an assessment and how the assessor approaches your case.

The form asks about 12 activities. Ten are about daily living. Two are about mobility. For each one, you need to describe how your ADHD or autism affects your ability to do that activity.

Describe your worst days, not your best. The DWP needs to understand what happens when things go wrong. If you burn food because you forget the oven is on, say that. If you cannot leave the house without someone prompting you to get ready, say that. If you avoid phone calls because you cannot process the conversation, say that.

Use concrete examples. Do not write "I have difficulty with executive function." Write "I forget to eat until someone reminds me. This happens most days."

The DWP uses four tests for each activity. Can you do it safely? Can you do it to an acceptable standard? Can you do it repeatedly? Can you do it in a reasonable time? If the answer to any of those is no, you should be scoring points.

Keep a copy of everything you send. Take photos of each page before you post it.

If you run out of space on the form, use additional sheets. Write your name and National Insurance number on every extra page. The form's boxes are small by design. Do not let that limit what you say.

Send supporting evidence with your form. The more specific it is, the better. A letter confirming your diagnosis is helpful but not enough on its own. You need evidence that describes how your condition affects your daily life.

Useful evidence includes letters from your GP, psychiatrist, psychologist, or ADHD nurse. Ask them to describe the functional impact, not just confirm the diagnosis. A letter that says "this patient has ADHD and requires daily prompting to manage medication and personal care" is far more useful than one that says "this patient has ADHD."

Other good evidence includes occupational therapy reports, care plans, social worker letters, and statements from family members or partners who support you. A personal statement from someone who lives with you, describing what they help you with each day, can be very powerful.

If you have been referred for support, are on a waiting list, or have been discharged from services, include that information too. It shows ongoing need.

If you receive Access to Work support, include your award letter. It demonstrates that a government body has already assessed you as needing support because of your condition.

The biggest mistake is describing what you can do rather than what you cannot. The form asks about difficulties. Focus on difficulties.

The second biggest mistake is being vague. "I struggle with cooking" scores nothing. "I left the hob on three times last month. My partner now cooks all meals because it is not safe for me to use the kitchen unsupervised" is evidence that maps to specific descriptors.

The third mistake is only mentioning ADHD. List every condition. Anxiety, depression, insomnia, sensory processing difficulties, chronic fatigue. PIP is assessed on the combined effect of all your conditions. If your ADHD and anxiety together make it impossible to leave the house alone, say that.

The fourth mistake is not asking for help with the form. Citizens Advice, local disability charities, and welfare rights services can help you fill in the form. They know what the DWP is looking for and can help you frame your answers. This is free. Use it.

The DWP will review your form and evidence. In most cases, they will arrange a face-to-face or telephone assessment with a health professional. This is not your GP. It is someone employed by a private company contracted by the DWP.

The assessor writes a report and recommends a score. A DWP decision maker then uses that report to make the final decision. You will receive a letter telling you the outcome.

If you score 8 to 11 points on daily living, you get the standard rate. If you score 12 or more, you get the enhanced rate. The same applies to mobility. As of April 2026, the enhanced rate for daily living is 114.10 pounds per week and the standard rate is 76.30 pounds.

If you are refused or awarded less than you expected, you can challenge the decision. The first step is a mandatory reconsideration. We have a separate guide on the mandatory reconsideration and appeal process.

Your payment is backdated to the date of your initial phone call, not the date of the decision. The process typically takes 3 to 4 months from start to finish.