Can you claim PIP for lupus in the UK?

Can you claim PIP for lupus?

Yes. People living with lupus in the UK can claim Personal Independence Payment (PIP), provided they meet the eligibility criteria set by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). Lupus is a long-term autoimmune condition, and PIP is specifically designed to help people with long-term health conditions or disabilities meet extra daily costs.

Crucially, PIP eligibility is not awarded on the basis of a diagnosis. The DWP assesses how your condition affects your daily life, not which condition you have. If lupus causes you difficulty with activities such as preparing food, washing, dressing, managing medication, or getting around, you may score enough points to qualify.

PIP is tax-free, non-means-tested, and can be paid whether or not you are in work. It is separate from income-related benefits such as Universal Credit.

According to LUPUS UK, the national charity for people with lupus in the UK, welfare benefits including PIP are a legitimate and important source of support for people whose condition significantly affects their everyday functioning.

Who qualifies: the eligibility criteria

To be eligible for PIP, the GOV.UK guidance sets out that you must:

• be aged 16 or over and under State Pension age when you claim
• have a long-term physical or mental health condition or disability
• have had difficulties with daily living or mobility for at least 3 months before your claim, and expect those difficulties to continue for at least 9 months after (a total expected duration of 12 months)
• meet the residence and presence rules for the UK

For people with lupus, the fluctuating nature of the condition can make this feel complicated. Lupus often involves flares followed by periods of remission. The key point, confirmed by Citizens Advice, is that you should describe how your condition affects you on a typical day, including difficult days, not just on your best days.

How PIP is assessed: the points system

PIP is assessed across two components.

Daily living component covers ten activities including preparing food, eating and drinking, managing treatments, washing and bathing, managing toilet needs, dressing and undressing, communicating verbally, reading and understanding, engaging with others, and making budgeting decisions.

Mobility component covers two activities: planning and following journeys, and moving around.

Each activity is scored between 0 and 12 points depending on how much difficulty you experience and whether you need aids, appliances, or the help of another person. Scoring 8 or more points in a component qualifies you for the standard rate. Scoring 12 or more qualifies you for the enhanced rate.

For lupus specifically, fatigue, joint pain, cognitive difficulties (sometimes called “lupus fog”), and side effects from immunosuppressant medication can all be relevant to multiple activities across both components.

Current PIP rates (April 2025)

As of April 2025, the weekly PIP rates set by the DWP are:

You can receive one or both components. A person awarded the enhanced rate for both daily living and mobility would receive £184.30 per week. These rates are updated each April in line with inflation.

Full current rates are published on GOV.UK.

What evidence to gather before you apply

The most common reason PIP claims are unsuccessful or awarded at a lower rate than warranted is insufficient evidence. Before submitting your claim form (the PIP2, formally titled “How your disability affects you”), it is worth gathering:

• Letters, clinic notes, or reports from your rheumatologist, GP, or specialist nurse
• Details of all prescribed medication and any documented side effects (for example, fatigue or nausea from hydroxychloroquine or methotrexate)
• Any occupational therapy assessments
• Evidence of hospital admissions or frequent outpatient appointments related to lupus
• A personal written statement describing how your condition affects you on a typical day, including on flare days

Citizens Advice recommends being as specific as possible: rather than writing “I have difficulty getting dressed,” explain how long it takes, whether you need to rest, whether you need help, and how this compares to what you could do before your symptoms worsened.

How to apply for PIP

The process for starting a PIP claim for lupus is as follows:

1. Phone the DWP PIP new claims line on 0800 917 2222 (Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm). This call starts your claim and establishes your date of claim, which affects when payments begin. A textphone number (0800 917 7777) is available for people who are deaf or have hearing difficulties.
2. Complete the PIP2 form (“How your disability affects you”), which will be posted to you after the initial call. You normally have one month to return it.
3. Attend an assessment if required. Assessments may be conducted face to face, by telephone, or by video call. Not all claimants are required to attend.
4. Receive a decision letter from the DWP.

The full application process is described on GOV.UK.

If you find the phone call or form difficult to manage alone, Citizens Advice and local welfare rights organisations can assist you free of charge.

Other benefits available to lupus patients in the UK

PIP is not the only benefit available to people with lupus. Depending on your circumstances, you may also be eligible for:

• Employment and Support Allowance (ESA): For people who are unable to work or have limited capability for work due to illness or disability. PIP and ESA can be claimed at the same time.
• Attendance Allowance: For people over State Pension age who need help with personal care. Replaces PIP for that age group.
• Universal Credit: If your income is low and your lupus affects your ability to work, you may qualify for Universal Credit and be placed in the limited capability for work or limited capability for work-related activity group.
• Disability Living Allowance (DLA): Largely replaced by PIP for working-age adults, though children under 16 with lupus can still claim DLA.
• Council Tax Reduction: Some people receiving PIP or ESA qualify for a reduction in their council tax bill through their local council.

LUPUS UK maintains a benefits section on its website with further guidance specific to people with lupus.

What to do if your PIP claim is refused or rated too low

If you receive a PIP decision you believe is wrong, you have clear rights to challenge it. The process, described on GOV.UK, is:

1. Request a mandatory reconsideration within one month of the decision date. This asks the DWP to review the decision internally. Put your request in writing and explain clearly why you disagree, with supporting evidence where possible.
2. Appeal to the tribunal if the mandatory reconsideration does not change the outcome. The Social Security and Child Support Tribunal is independent of the DWP. Statistics published by the Ministry of Justice consistently show that a significant proportion of PIP appeals are decided in favour of the claimant.

Citizens Advice can help you prepare for a mandatory reconsideration or tribunal hearing.

For more guidance on navigating welfare benefits and disability payments, visit the Welfare UK hub.