PIP for depression
There's no fixed list of conditions that qualify for PIP, and a diagnosis of depression isn't enough on its own. PIP looks at how depression affects your daily living and getting around, on more than half of days. That can include getting washed, preparing food, taking treatment as prescribed, and being around other people.
How depression can affect everyday activities, and how PIP looks at it.
In this guide
In short
- There's no PIP conditions list - it's about how depression affects you day to day.
- PIP looks at whether you can do things safely, reliably and in a reasonable time, on more than half of days.
- Low motivation, exhaustion and not managing basic tasks can all count, even without a physical cause.
Answer a few questions about your daily living and getting around, and get plain wording for your form.
Is there a PIP conditions list for depression?
There's no official list of conditions that qualify for PIP, and depression isn't scored just because of the diagnosis. PIP looks at how your condition affects your daily living and getting around, not what it's called. See our guide to the PIP conditions list for more on this.
How depression can affect the 12 activities
Depression doesn't affect everyone the same way. These are some of the activities it commonly affects.
- Preparing food — depression can make cooking feel pointless or too much effort, even when you're hungry. "Some days I don't eat a proper meal because I can't face standing at the cooker." See preparing food.
- Washing and bathing — low motivation can mean going without washing for days at a time. "I sometimes go a week without a shower because I can't find the energy." See washing and bathing.
- Managing treatments — remembering, or feeling able, to take medication can be hard. "I forget my tablets for days when I can't get out of bed." See managing treatments.
- Mixing with other people — depression can make you withdraw from people, even ones you'd normally see. "I can't face seeing friends in person, and when someone comes round I often don't answer the door." See mixing with people.
- Planning and following journeys — low motivation and confidence can make it hard to go out at all. "I cancel appointments because I can't make myself leave the house." See planning and following journeys.
What 'reliably' means for depression
PIP only counts what you can do safely, to an acceptable standard, repeatedly, and in a reasonable time - no more than twice as long as someone without your condition. For depression, this can mean managing a task once but not being able to repeat it the next day, or needing much longer because of low energy and poor concentration. Say what actually happens, not just what you can manage on your best day.
Good days and bad days
PIP looks at what's true on more than half of days over a year. Depression can vary: some days are harder than others, and some days you may not manage basic tasks at all. Describe a typical day and a bad day, and how often bad days happen. Keeping a diary for a couple of weeks can help you see the pattern.
What evidence helps
Useful evidence includes letters from your GP or a mental health team, a care plan, a list of your prescriptions, or a statement from a support worker, carer or family member who sees how depression affects you. A short diary of a typical week can help too. Send copies, not originals. See what to send with your PIP form.
What people often leave out
People with depression often describe what they can do on a good day, not what a bad day looks like. It helps to mention any prompting you need to get started, how long tasks take, how you feel afterwards, and what happens on days you don't have support.
Common questions
Can you get PIP for depression?
There's no list of qualifying conditions, so a diagnosis of depression alone doesn't decide it. PIP looks at how depression affects your daily living and getting around, on more than half of days.
Is depression a disability for PIP?
PIP doesn't use a list of conditions or labels. It looks at the effect depression has on specific everyday activities.
What evidence do I need for PIP with depression?
Letters from your GP or mental health team, a care plan, your prescription list, and a statement from someone who supports you can all help. A short diary is useful too.
Does PIP cover depression if I can still work?
PIP isn't about whether you can work. It looks at how depression affects daily living and getting around, so you can be working and still claim PIP.
Does clinical depression count for PIP?
There's no separate list for named conditions like clinical depression. What matters is how it affects you, not the name of the diagnosis.
Claiming is free
You can apply to DWP directly, and Citizens Advice can help at no cost. We're here if you'd rather do it yourself, at your own pace, any time, with no appointment to wait for.
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Sources
- PIP: eligibility - GOV.UK - checked 27 September 2026
- Depression in adults - NHS - checked 27 September 2026
- Mind - checked 27 September 2026