PIP is assessed on how your condition affects you, not the condition itself. PIP can help with extra living costs if you have a long-term physical or mental health condition or disability and difficulty doing certain everyday tasks or getting around because of your condition. DWP's assessment guide says assessors consider symptoms such as pain, discomfort, breathlessness, fatigue and anxiety.
Key points
✓PIP is assessed on how your condition affects you, not the condition itself.
✓The moving around activity considers your physical ability to move around without severe discomfort, such as breathlessness, pain or fatigue.
✓Symptoms such as pain, fatigue and breathlessness should be considered when determining whether an activity can be carried out repeatedly.
✓A descriptor applies if it is satisfied on over 50% of the days of the required period.
✓You can get PIP even if you are working, have savings or are getting most other benefits.
How a heart condition can affect the PIP activities
PIP is assessed on how your condition affects you, not the condition itself. DWP uses the information to see how much help you need to carry out 12 activities. The DWP assessment guide says an assessor considers whether you can repeat the activity within a reasonable period of time and to the same standard, which clearly includes consideration of symptoms such as pain, discomfort, breathlessness, fatigue and anxiety.
Activities where breathlessness, pain or fatigue can matter:
Moving around: the activity considers your physical ability to move around without severe discomfort, such as breathlessness, pain or fatigue, including the ability to stand and then move up to 20 metres, up to 50 metres, up to 200 metres and over 200 metres
Preparing food: the activity considers your ability to prepare and cook a simple meal for one from fresh ingredients, and in the regulations to cook means to heat food at or above waist height
Washing and bathing: in the regulations, bathe includes getting into or out of an unadapted bath or shower, and needing assistance to get in or out of a bath or shower scores 3 points
Dressing and undressing: in the regulations, dress and undress includes putting on and taking off socks and shoes
Planning and following journeys is designed for limitations on mobility deriving from mental health, cognitive and sensory impairments, whereas moving around is generally designed for limitations from physical problems. Any issues with the ability to stand and then move are covered by moving around. For how PIP works generally, see our PIP qualifying conditions guide.
How moving around is scored in Schedule 1:
You can stand and then move more than 200 metres, either aided or unaided: 0 points
More than 50 metres but no more than 200 metres, either aided or unaided: 4 points
Unaided, more than 20 metres but no more than 50 metres: 8 points
Using an aid or appliance, more than 20 metres but no more than 50 metres: 10 points
More than 1 metre but no more than 20 metres, either aided or unaided: 12 points
You cannot, either aided or unaided, stand or move more than 1 metre: 12 points
The 'reliability' rules matter for heart conditions
You are assessed as satisfying a descriptor only if you can do so safely, to an acceptable standard, repeatedly and within a reasonable time period. Safely means in a manner unlikely to cause harm to you or to another person, either during or after completion of the activity.
Repeatedly means as often as the activity being assessed is reasonably required to be completed. A reasonable time period means no more than twice as long as the maximum period that a person without a condition which limits their ability to carry out the activity would normally take.
If completing an activity means you cannot repeat it within a period when you could reasonably be expected to, you are likely to be considered as not completing it repeatedly. The DWP guide's example is someone who can prepare breakfast, but is left exhausted and cannot prepare lunch
The guide also says to consider whether you can repeat a task on later days. Someone may be able to fulfil the moving around criteria one day, but the exertion means they cannot do so the following day
Symptoms such as pain, fatigue and breathlessness should be considered when determining whether an activity can be carried out repeatedly. While they may not stop you carrying out the activity the first time, they may be an indication that it cannot be done as often as is reasonably required
The guide lists as an example of not completing an activity in a reasonable time someone who becomes breathless and exhausted whilst washing and dressing, and needs 2 hours to complete these tasks
The DWP guide works through an example. Claimant X can comfortably walk up to 150 metres at a normal pace. After 150 metres they start to become breathless and experience some mild pain. They can repeatedly walk 250 metres, with short 5-minute rests in between, for around an hour. The assessor concludes that Claimant X can stand and then move more than 200 metres and selects descriptor A. In a second example, Claimant Y has to stop and rest after walking 100 metres, and it is then several hours before they can walk this distance again. As this is not as often as would reasonably be expected, Claimant Y cannot be said to complete the activity repeatedly. The assessor selects descriptor E, which covers more than 1 metre but no more than 20 metres.
A descriptor applies where it is satisfied on over 50% of the days of the required period. GOV.UK says that to get PIP you expect to have difficulty more than half of the days over a 12-month period. DWP's booklet asks how often you have a difficulty and tells you to tell DWP about both good and bad days.
Evidence that helps a heart-condition claim
DWP's booklet gives examples of supporting evidence you could send:
Reports or care or treatment plans from GPs or consultants, occupational therapists, social workers, district nurses and physiotherapists
Hospital discharge or outpatient clinic letters about your condition or diagnosis, and letters from your consultants about your condition or diagnosis
Test results from scans and diagnostic tests
Your current repeat prescription list
Reports, statements or diaries from carers or family members
Send photocopies, because DWP cannot return documents. Do not send appointment cards or letters, letters arranging hospital admissions, or general information or fact sheets about your condition or medication. If you are waiting for any supporting evidence, send what you already have with your completed form before the date on the front of your form and send the rest afterwards. When the form asks how often you have a difficulty, tell DWP about both good and bad days.
Rates and what to do next
You have limited ability where you score at least 8 points in the daily living or mobility part, and severely limited ability where you score at least 12 points. In 2026/27 the daily living part is £76.70 or £114.60 a week and the mobility part is £30.30 or £80 a week. PIP is tax free, the amount you get is not affected by your income or savings, and it is usually paid every 4 weeks.
If you disagree with a decision, you usually need to ask for mandatory reconsideration within one month of the date of the decision, and to appeal within one month of the date of your mandatory reconsideration notice
If you live in Scotland, you need to apply for Adult Disability Payment instead of PIP
PIP is assessed on how your condition affects you, not the condition itself. Symptoms such as pain, fatigue and breathlessness should be considered when determining whether an activity can be carried out repeatedly. You are assessed as satisfying a descriptor only if you can do so safely, to an acceptable standard, repeatedly and within a reasonable time period.
What evidence do I need for a PIP claim with a heart condition?
DWP's booklet gives examples of supporting evidence, including reports or care or treatment plans from GPs or consultants, hospital discharge or outpatient clinic letters about your condition or diagnosis, test results from scans and diagnostic tests, and your current repeat prescription list. Send photocopies, because DWP cannot return documents.
Have PIP rules for heart conditions changed in 2026?
PIP rates for 2026/27 are £76.70 or £114.60 a week for the daily living part and £30.30 or £80 a week for the mobility part. The Timms Review of PIP published an interim report on 9 July 2026. That report does not provide recommendations, and the final report with recommendations to the Secretary of State is due in the autumn. Its interim report says the evidence so far tells it that while PIP is widely valued as a benefit, it is no longer fit for purpose.
Know Your Rights UK. "PIP for Heart Conditions: Can You Claim and How It Works." Know Your Rights UK, https://www.knowyourrightsuk.com/benefits/pip/pip-for-heart-conditions