In 2023, there were 52,989 PIP claimants with ADHD listed as their main disabling condition. This makes it the fourteenth most common condition to get an award of PIP for out of over 500 conditions listed by the DWP.

So, if you have ADHD and it affects your daily living activities, such as cooking, washing, dressing or mixing with other people or your ability to get around, you should definitely consider making a claim.

Learn more or take the test

You can read more about claiming PIP for ADHD or take our simple online test now to find out if you might be able to make a claim.

PIP test for ADHD

Success rates

The success rate for PIP claims for ADHD is 43%, compared to an overall average of 53%.  So you have a less than average chance of getting an award for ADHD.

Award rates

41% of PIP claimants with ADHD, get the enhanced rate of both the daily living and the mobility component. 

Daily living awards
Enhanced daily living 73.5%
Standard daily living 24.5%
No daily living 2%

Mobility awards
Enhanced mobility 45%
Standard mobility 30%
No mobility 25%

98% of claimants with ADHD who get an award get the daily living component, compared to 75% who get the mobility component.

Age range

The ages of those currently in receipt of PIP for ADHD are:

  • 16-29 years  79%
  • 30-49 years  19%
  • 50-64 years  2%
  • 65 and over  0%

So, unlike most PIP conditions, it is massively skewed towards younger claimants.  Many of these are likely to have been transferred from DLA when reaching 16 years of age.

PIP rates

The rates of PIP from April 2024 are:

Daily Living component
Standard rate: £72.65
Enhanced rate: £108.55

Mobility component
Standard rate: £28.70
Enhanced rate: £75.75

 So, an award of the enhanced rate of PIP for both components means an extra £184.30 a week. 

PIP  is paid on top of almost every other benefit and may lead to an increase in some benefits or entitlement to additional benefits.

The enhanced rate of the mobility component also gives access to the Motability scheme.

How you qualify for PIP

This information applies to England, Wales and Northern Ireland – Scotland has a separate system.  You need to be aged at least 18 before you can receive PIP and you need to start your claim before you reach state pension age.

The best way to decide whether you might be eligible for PIP is to look through this list of PIP activities and think about the ways that your condition affects your ability to carry them out.  You are awarded points according to the level of difficulty you have with each of these activities, with sufficient points leading to an award of PIP.

Daily living activities
There are 10 daily living activities:

  • Preparing food
  • Taking nutrition
  • Managing therapy or monitoring a health condition
  • Washing and bathing
  • Managing toilet needs or incontinence
  • Dressing and undressing
  • Communicating verbally
  • Reading and understanding signs, symbols and words
  • Engaging with other people face-to-face
  • Making budgeting decisions

Mobility activities
There are two mobility activities:

  • Planning and following journeys
  • Moving around

Remember that you need to be able to complete the activities

  • to a reasonable standard,
  • safely,
  • repeatedly
  • taking no more than twice as long as it would take a person without a health condition.

Points for ADHD

Below are some examples of the issues that you might have because of ADHD.  Do remember, that if you have other conditions, you can take those into account too.

Procrastination linked to ADHD may mean you keep putting off preparing food until you are so hungry that you just eat whatever is quickest, like a bowl of cereal, so you need prompting to prepare a meal.

You may need prompting to eat cooked food because you are so engaged in other activities or thoughts that you will not spare the time to consume anything but biscuits and coffee.

You might wash or bathe but not to an acceptable standard because, for example, you have a shower but forget to use soap unless someone is supervising you.

Because of poor impulse control you may frequently speak aloud thoughts that cause offence to other people, so you need social support..

Hyperactivity and impulsivity may mean you are not safe when near traffic, crossing roads or dealing with other outdoor hazards.

Benefits and Work members can also download a ‘PIP for ADHD Supplementary Guide’ from the PIP Guides page with even more examples and case studies, to complement our main guide to claiming PIP.

PIP test for ADHD

Take the next step 

Claiming PIP isn't easy. And getting the correct award is even harder.

But there are things you can do to greatly increase your chances of getting the right result.

One of them is to use our highly detailed, step-by-step Guide to PIP claims and reviews, which will support you through every stage of the system.

Because filling in the 37 page PIP2 ‘How your disability affects you’ form in as much detail as possible is vital.

It not only means you are giving accurate and consistent evidence from the outset, it also improves your chances of overturning an unfair decision if you have to go to appeal.  

Our guide takes you through the PIP2 form, box-by-box, explaining the kind of information you need to put in each one.

Being fully prepared for an assessment is vital too. Knowing what questions you are likely to be asked and what unspoken assumptions may be made based on your answers, unless you deal with them, can make all the difference.  Our guide will ensure you are as ready as you possibly can be.

And because we’ve been supporting claimants for 20 years and have a community of thousands of members who keep us updated with their experiences, we can make sure you are prepared for any unfair tactics the DWP might employ.

And we have guides to every other part of your PIP claim too, from mandatory reconsideration, to appeal to review.  Plus a forum where you can ask questions, regular news items and more.

So, whether you’ve tried claiming PIP before and been unsuccessful, or you’ve never had any experience of the benefits system, join the Benefits and Work community to give yourself the best possible chance of getting the right award.

Even if you are not ready to subscribe to the site yet, you can download our guide to ‘The First Steps To PIP Success’ for free and also join the 120,000 people who subscribe to our free fortnightly newsletter.

PIP test for ADHD

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  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    DS · 2 months ago
    I have ADHD which severely affects the way I live my life, but the criteria on this form is absolute nonsense.
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    J Ashton · 3 months ago
    My daughter who has the high rate of ADHD has just been turned down for pip.  This is a mental illness not a physical, so of course she can wash her face, go to the toilet etc.  The way this is assessed is disgusting.  This needs to be sorted out and the way they twisted some of her answers is ridiculous!
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      Terry · 3 months ago
      @J Ashton Appeal, I had to for my daughter and she then got highest award. Makes no sense.
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    Kris · 3 months ago
    The PIP test questions don't reflect the real world/actual issues that affect people with ADHD, they're skewed toward those with physical disabilities and the points are awarded for things that very few people with ADHD alone would struggle with. Perhaps if you have multiple conditions this would be appropriate, but I've not yet heard someone with ADHD (myself included) say they have problems using the toilet 'because' of ADHD. Frankly it's insulting and discriminatory. 
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      BishBosh · 11 days ago
      @Kris Totally agree it’s just a way the government can wangle their way out of their responsibilities 
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    Jacqui W · 4 months ago
    Hi so if I’m a pensioner I can’t get any help for adhd ? Is that correct 
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      I · 28 days ago
      @Jacqui W Try applying for attendance allowance - this is the benefit for pensioners for all types of issues
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      A x · 3 months ago
      @Jacqui W You can claim attendance allowance instead of PIP when on pension 
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    Dave · 4 months ago
    How many points are needed to get PIP
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    Adam · 4 months ago
    I've recently applied and had my phone assessment. I wish I had prepared. Some tough questions and reflections. Very emotional for me. They have emailed to say that they have all the info they need and will be back in touch with a decision.... Still not had my formal diagnosis yet. Waiting for nearly a year through Psychiatry UK 
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      KF · 2 months ago
      @Debbie Absolutely untrue. PIP doesn't require official diagnosis. It's about how your conditions affect your daily life and mobility. I have no official diagnosis (yet) and receive a small amount of PIP.
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      Debbie · 2 months ago
      @Adam I just had my appointment at psychiatry and I was told you have to wait to be diagnosed before you can even think about applying for pip.  My wait was 13 months and another 3 months for meds. 
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    PP · 5 months ago
    I am wondering whether the several petitions that are going around will make any difference to these ridiculous reforms they're imposing.  I am aware that 2 petitions have already passed the 100k needed for debate in parliament. We're are all desperately trying to clutch at straws now to stop this happening.
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    Ruzi · 5 months ago
    Iam one of disabled person   this reform on pip  will be big punishment for us i totally do not agree with this ,they should make changes on assessment  system which make us so stressful to go to Assessment, 
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    Cat · 5 months ago
    Where have the comments on the MM judgement gone??
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    Raj · 5 months ago
    I am a Pensioner 68 with PPMS, I worked as a care worker 10 years supporting people with severe challenging behavior's. (believe me its tough when you have MS, fatigue, balance problem, frequent urine runs, Constipation. Anyway applied for PIP and accepted. Now 68 with MS progression and pensioner with only 400 a month and with PIP payments am able to survive. I don't know what and how coupon's will help me. As my partner is also disabled with a similar size pension as me and gets a small amount PIP we manage, We are both pensioners. Now  we are all worked up how we will manage financially . Its always the deprived and disabled who pay so that the wealthy can accumulate more. Very concerned. 
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      I · 28 days ago
      @Raj Have you applied for attendance allowance?
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      John · 5 months ago
      @Raj I am not sure you will be affected by this reform if you are a pensioner as you will have been given a 10 year award with a light touch review. As I understand it the proposals are focused on those of working g age.

      Of course I nay be wrong.

      I know the proposals do not affect Attendance Allowance.

      I ha e found little reference to thos of us who have pensioner PIP and who qualified as a result of the "timing" of our award.

      I can't see that we would be targeted whilst not targeting those on AA.

      Clarification would be helpful 
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    Mags Seaside · 5 months ago
    I tried to complete but got confused all the asking me to provide evidence for my reply.     It just frazzled my brain so heavens knows how bad any new rocess will be but hopefully Ill be six foot under before that happens and they force me to an early grave,
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    MR BUSY HEAD · 5 months ago
    to evryone in this chat, it is lost on me that nobody advises (eligibility re benifits) that even though i can hold down
    a job ,care for my mum who has bi-polar, care for other people when needed but i live like a tramp in my own flat which was an impulse buy to be near my mother . 2007 then after the credit crunch the following year i lost 25g lol ! my issue is not that however over the years since i was diagnosed 2018/19 with ADHD
    and obviously with covid taken into account ... the state of the amht has been shocking and five years on im still struggling heavily with lack of support and no regular doctor to have any kind of rapport with bar one who is now retired... if i have to explain to yet another stranger who has not checked my files and get upset explaining my suicidal thoughts ,depression,anxiety and agrophobic traits not to mention recently 
    started having spontanious ticks,,,,,,, ive lost any hope, plenty of money due to being hopeless managing 
    bills etc .....and the icing on the cake is that i am still getting no suitable medication , i am 47 and been looking after my wee mam since 15....... THE SYSTEM IS BROKE like my head. gonna apply for PIP, just dont 
    know where to start.  we all have our circumtances but i'm sure some people will have similar issues....
    my last boss shrugged his shoulders and said i just don't get it... like that appeal judge.... Morons! 
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    G T · 5 months ago
    Hi I was diagnosed at 6 with adhd at GOSH. I used to receive DLA until I was 16 but stopped taking my meds etc due to feeling controlled as a minor. Since then I have struggled and affected my mental
    Health etc. I am now 36 ,can I still apply for PIP . ?
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      Jodie · 3 months ago
      @G T Yes I was the same diagnosis at 5 , I was on dla up to 21 my mum died I stopped taking all medication money must of been stopped for some reason and I was too depressed to even go into it, 15 month ago I went for my medication (not as easy as it looks) 6 months it took I get medication for my adhd & now it affects me massively more then what it did as a child so I went for pip 2 times they have refused me finely now I have been awarded! 
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      ravenmiss · 5 months ago
      @G T Yes, you don't need to be on meds to claim. It's about how your condition affects you. 
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    Rhea · 5 months ago
    My transgender daughter has just been diagnosed with adhd i don't know if she should apply for sdp she is already on it due to mental health or do i not bother telling them?
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      Mossington · 5 months ago
      @Rhea I read today that they are going to change the "how it affects you" thing not sure how or what to
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    C · 6 months ago
    Hi all, I have been diagnosed with adhd and anxiety and I have done the pre assessment for autism
    I am a late diagnosis, female on my 30s.

    I am considering apply for pip as a have plenty of extra expenses with therapy, or not have more sick pay left because everytime there is no medication I go into a downward spiral or getting back gives me initially side effects... I have papers, from my home country and UK too.
    I am scared to make a phone call and go blank as usual.
    Could anyone explain me a little bit better the process? 
    Shall I wait for my autism assessment? I might have to go back home to get it done because here takes 33555 years or you think it's irrelevant? 

    Thanks 
    C
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      A · 4 months ago
      @Elaine Don’t just listen to CAB 
      I’ve just received the correct information else where,after having had old information from CAB for the past 4years 
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      Elaine · 5 months ago
      @C I think you need to either join the membership on here or go to CAB for a better explanation of what your asking 
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    Jase · 7 months ago
    Had my tribunal yesterday, it was horrendous. They used me going to the gym very early morning or very late at night against me and the same with walking my dogs. They also said “do you leave your children unattended when you go to the gym or walk your dogs” which for me was a ridiculous question because they’re old enough, i was close to completely losing my temper then. The judge kept saying he didnt understand my struggles and didnt seem interested in adhd, he seemed to be one these that doesn’t ‘believe’ in it! He yawned, rubbed his eyes, looked at the clock and huffed and puffed the ENTIRE hour i was in there. He also said he couldn’t understand why i can drive a car but not cook, just kept sayin it made no sense to him. Im awaiting the decision via post. I’m expecting to be disappointed after yesterday. Im thinking of getting welfare rights involved and complaining about the judge, what do you guys think? 
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      Kay smith · 3 months ago
      @Jase I told them I walk my dogs and use the gym. I have psoriatic arthritis and I get £75 ish per week. I have 4 dogs c
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      Mossington · 5 months ago
      @Sharon I think I've been fortunate to get my PIP. I didn't think I would going on what people tell me. I can walk my dogs some days but have to stop and rest, I use the pip to pay for a dog walker. I'm a competent cook or was however I leave pans on the stove because I forget I'm cooking or I have gone out and left them on. Again I think it's about how our issues affect us. I have to sit to chop veg etc because of chronic back ache it's not the cooking perse but the organisation and lack of motivation. So maybe going out in the car is getting you out of the house. I haven't worked for four years because of my back...I was a waitress in a busy hotel. I moved to reception work but I couldn't do the computer stuff so I was "let go" I don't like being at home alone. The general public have this idea that people on benefits are lazy layabouts, this is far from the truth. My support worker suggested recently that she thinks I may have ADHD I'm 66 years old why has nobody ever picked up on this before?
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      Sharon · 6 months ago
      @Jase How do they know of the gym?
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      VikingMermaid · 6 months ago
      @Jase Gosh, that sounds so bad.  I would definitely seek advice from CAB (Citizens Advice Bureau).  I think I would be absolutely rubbish having to go through a tribunal, because my impaired memory means I can't recall appropriate examples of what I struggle with, and would give overly wordy explanations of whatever first jumped into my mind.  

      It sounds like you have definitely been unfairly treated, and I would definitely go to CAB to see what right of redress you have.  Best of luck :)
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    David · 7 months ago
    I am 58 years old now and I am on esa and adp scotland I'm on the enhanced rate for both elements I was in special education in school all through my schooling and not one Dr has ever diagnosed me with adhd as my neice has said that I should be getting a diagnosis for how do I get my Dr to agree that I have adhd?
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      VikingMermaid · 6 months ago
      @David Your GP can't assess you for ADHD (unless he/she is qualified as an ADHD assessor).  Online you'll find lists of ADHD traits - so write out a list of all the ones you feel apply to you, and the difficulties they cause you in your day-to-day life.  Then take this to your GP, and be very specific about asking to be referred for an assessment (as long as your GP has good reason to refer you - which he/she will have because of the list of symptoms/traits you've shown them - then they can't refuse to do this).

      NB, some doctors ask what you would benefit from if you were to be assessed for ADHD - some say that, if you've had it for this long, you're obviously coping.  Don't be fobbed off by this!  For some of us, the benefits are simply getting an answer as to why we have struggled so much for our whole life (and an explanation for our own low self-esteem, and/or anxiety, and/or depression). 

      For others it is knowing that you might be able to access help and support for dealing with it - with ADHD that is primarily through medication, which has a very high success rate (ca 69% after trialling the first medication they prescribe for you, up to 80% after trialling two or more medications).  That in itself is a great reason for wanting to get a formal diagnosis (for some, the meds can be like a magic bullet, though for others, like me, there was no great improvement).

      Warning.  The waiting lists for ADHD and autism can be crazily long, though (a few years ago it was 7 years for ADHD in Devon!).  You might want to look up Psychiatry UK and 'Right to Choose' - under Right to Choose (an NHS scheme) you can apply for a private assessment, which the NHS pays for.  Waiting lists for Psychiatry UK are still not short (somewhere between 6 and 12 months now, I believe; it used to be only a few weeks a couple of years ago!) - but much quicker than waiting for an NHS assessment.

      Good luck!
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      Emma · 7 months ago
      @David You will be referred and remain on a waiting list which then you will be assessed and can be given a diagnosis 
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    Michelle · 7 months ago
    I was diagnosed with bpd in 2016, iv been receiving pop since then but I only get standard daily living. I have recently also been diagnosed with asd and adhd and complex trauma and  have been told off numerous people I should be getting enhanced daily living and mobility. I’m scared to do a new assessment process after bad experience the first time around. Does anyone have experience with simply updating your diagnosis with pip? Do you need to go through a full new assessment from then? 
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      VikingMermaid · 6 months ago
      @Michelle Michelle, sorry to hear about your bad experience.  I don't know the answer, I'm afraid.  I would definitely contact your local CAB (Citizens Advice Bureau) and ask them for advice and support.   They have been fantastic for me and my daughter.  Good luck.
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    heather · 9 months ago
    Hi is there any similar information for claimants on other benefits for ADHD? I'm in the ESA support group with a qualifying disability premium and I also receive both components of PIP at the enhanced rate, it only took me 55 years to be diagnosed it's nice to relax No more sanctions.
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      B1uebe11 · 7 months ago
      @Claire How did it go, Claire? I've got mine in two days. A video call.
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      Claire · 9 months ago
      @heather Heather did you have a phone assessment can you give me any help in coping with it mine is in two days I'm so sick over it 
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    bJ · 10 months ago
    Hi, I`m new to the forum can anyone sugn post me to the ADHD webinars, I could do with some help as I have my PIP assessment on Dec 7th. After reading the posts, I am very nervous about it.
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