PIP for ME and CFS

PIP Health Conditions
Written By Joe Collier

In 2024, there were 28,121 PIP claimants with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) listed as their main disabling condition by the DWP (note that ME is not used in the DWP's classification). This makes ME/CFS the 25th most common condition to receive a PIP award, out of over 500 conditions listed by the DWP. If ME/CFS affects your daily living activities—such as cooking, washing, dressing, socializing, or getting around—you should consider making a claim.

Success Rates and Award Rates for ME/CFS

  • Success Rate: 54% of PIP claims for ME/CFS are successful, which is slightly higher than the overall average of 53%. You have a slightly better chance of success for ME/CFS claims.

  • Award Rates:

    • 35% of claimants with ME/CFS receive the enhanced rate for both the daily living and mobility components.

  • Daily Living Awards:

    • Enhanced Rate: 41%

    • Standard Rate: 55%

    • No Award: 4%

  • Mobility Awards:

    • Enhanced Rate: 54%

    • Standard Rate: 29%

    • No Award: 17%

96% of claimants with ME/CFS who receive an award get the Daily Living component, compared to 83% who get the Mobility component.

PIP Payment Rates (April 2024)

  • Daily Living Component:

    • Standard Rate: £72.65

    • Enhanced Rate: £108.55

  • Mobility Component:

    • Standard Rate: £28.70

    • Enhanced Rate: £75.75

Receiving the enhanced rate for both components means you could receive an additional £184.30 per week. PIP is paid on top of most other benefits and may increase your entitlement to additional support. The enhanced mobility rate also grants access to the Motability scheme.

How to Qualify for PIP

To qualify for PIP, you must be at least 16 years old and below state pension age. The best way to determine your eligibility is by assessing how ME/CFS affects your daily living and mobility. Points are awarded based on the difficulty you experience with these activities, and a sufficient score can lead to an award of PIP.

Daily Living and Mobility Activities

There are 10 daily living activities and 2 mobility activities used to assess eligibility:

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:

  • Planning and following journeys

  • Moving around

For each activity, consider whether you can perform it:

  • To a reasonable standard

  • Safely

  • Repeatedly

  • In no more than twice the time it would take someone without a health condition

How ME/CFS May Affect Your Daily Life

ME/CFS can impact your ability to complete daily living and mobility tasks. Here are some examples of how ME/CFS might affect your daily life:

  • Cooking: You may be unable to lift pans or other objects due to pain, stiffness, or fatigue, or you may drop items because of muscle weakness. You may need assistance.

  • Microwave vs. Stove: Brain fog may affect your concentration, causing you to use a microwave rather than a stove for safety reasons.

  • Cutting Food: Difficulty with pain, fatigue, or stiffness in your hands may require adapted cutlery to help you cut food.

  • Eating and Drinking: Brain fog or forgetfulness could mean you need prompting to remember to eat and drink. You may also have lost weight because of this or require special drinks.

  • Medication: Forgetfulness may require an aid like a timer or dosette box to help you take medication reliably. You may also need assistance with opening medication packets.

  • Showering and Bathing: Dizziness may require the use of aids such as a shower seat or grab rails to stay safe.

  • Dressing: Fatigue may make it take longer than twice the time to dress yourself. You might also need help due to physical or cognitive fatigue.

  • Conversation: Fatigue and brain fog can cause you to forget what you were trying to say or the topic of conversation. Someone may need to remind you to finish your sentence.

  • Reading and Understanding Information: Blurred vision or sensitivity to light may make reading difficult, requiring aids like dark glasses or a tinted overlay.

  • Socializing: Low mood from constant fatigue may mean you need prompting or support to mix with others.

  • Memory and Concentration: Memory and concentration issues may require someone to prompt you during conversations or decision-making, especially with managing finances or planning activities.

  • Traveling: Fatigue, anxiety, and brain fog may make it difficult to travel by public transport or plan journeys.

These are just some examples of how ME/CFS might affect your ability to complete daily activities. If you experience other challenges, they can be taken into account during your claim.

How PIP Ready Can Help You

If you have ME/CFS and are considering applying for PIP, PIP Ready is here to assist you. Our expert team can guide you through the process, ensuring that your claim is complete and accurate, giving you the best chance of success

Joe Collier
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