If you’re living with ADHD and find that it impacts your daily life, you might be entitled to Personal Independence Payment (PIP). Many people don’t realise that ADHD can qualify as a disability under the criteria for PIP—a benefit designed to help with extra costs associated with long-term physical or mental health conditions.
In 2023, over 52,000 people with ADHD were receiving PIP, making it the 14th most common condition out of more than 500 listed by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). That’s a clear sign that ADHD is increasingly being recognised for the very real impact it can have on everyday functioning.
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You may be eligible to claim PIP if ADHD significantly affects your ability to carry out tasks such as:
🍳 Preparing meals
🍽️ Eating regularly
💊 Managing medication or therapy
🚿 Washing and dressing
🗣️ Interacting with others
🗺️ Planning and making journeys
🚶 Getting around safely
If these or similar activities are difficult for you without support or prompting, it’s worth exploring whether you qualify for PIP.
While it is possible to get PIP for ADHD, the success rate is slightly below average. About 43% of ADHD claims result in an award, compared to the overall average success rate of 53%.
However, those who are successful often receive significant support:
✅ 98% of successful ADHD claimants receive the daily living component
✅ 75% receive the mobility component
PIP awards for ADHD are heavily skewed toward younger adults:
This likely reflects early diagnoses in childhood and transitions from Disability Living Allowance (DLA) to PIP during teenage years.
Here’s how much you could receive per week if awarded PIP:
👉 If you qualify for the enhanced rate of both components, this could mean £184.30 per week, tax-free and paid on top of most other benefits. It may also give you access to additional support like the Motability scheme.
PIP is assessed based on how your condition affects specific activities—not the diagnosis itself. To qualify, you must demonstrate difficulty completing tasks:
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Here are a few ways ADHD might affect your daily tasks:
If you also have other health conditions, those should be taken into account in your application too.
If ADHD significantly affects your ability to live independently or travel safely, applying for PIP could be a life-changing step. The process may seem intimidating, but many people with ADHD do receive meaningful support.
Be clear and specific about how ADHD impacts your day-to-day life. Focus on real examples. PIP isn’t just about a diagnosis—it’s about how that diagnosis affects you in practice.
