Does PTSD qualify?
Yes. PIP has no list of qualifying conditions. PTSD and complex PTSD are recognised under NHS guideline NG116 and ICD-11. The test is functional impact against the 12 activities.
Which descriptors apply
- Mobility 1 (planning and following a journey): cannot follow a familiar route alone due to overwhelming psychological distress, cannot use public transport, avoidance of specific routes. Up to 12 points.
- Daily Living 9 (engaging with people): hypervigilance and trigger avoidance stop face-to-face interaction with strangers. 2 to 8 points.
- Daily Living 4 (washing / bathing): water, being undressed or enclosed spaces as triggers; dissociation while showering.
- Daily Living 1 (preparing food): dissociation and safety risk at the hob; executive shutdown.
- Daily Living 7 (communicating verbally): mutism episodes, cannot use the phone, cannot speak to strangers reliably.
- Daily Living 3 (managing therapy): multi-med regimens (SSRIs, prazosin for nightmares, sleep meds) and complex trauma treatment plan.
Dissociation and the reliability test
Under Regulation 4(2A) a task must be done safely, to an acceptable standard, repeatedly, in a reasonable time. Dissociation, freezing, and flashbacks engage the safety limb directly. Sample sentence: "On around 5 days out of 7 I dissociate at the hob and cannot cook safely alone."
Evidence to send
- GP or CMHT letter confirming PTSD or CPTSD diagnosis and current treatment.
- IAPT / NHS Talking Therapies discharge letter or EMDR / TF-CBT correspondence.
- Medication list (SSRIs, SNRIs, prazosin, sleep meds).
- Any veterans' mental health service (Op COURAGE) letter where applicable.
- Partner or carer statement describing nightmares, dissociation, avoidance.
At the assessment
Request phone or paper. Face-to-face is often the most triggering format and yields the least accurate record because masking is highest. Ask for the assessment to be recorded. Bring an advocate. If you dissociate during the assessment, that is itself evidence.
The November 2026 four-point rule
New PIP claims from November 2026 need at least one 4-point (or higher) descriptor to qualify for Daily Living. For PTSD this usually lands on DL 9 (engaging with people) or DL 1 (preparing food, safety) once the mechanism is described in full.
Build the evidence pack
Our assessment turns your answers into a formal PIP evidence pack drafted against the 12 activities and the reliability test.
Frequently asked questions
Can you get PIP for PTSD?
Yes. PTSD and complex PTSD score against multiple PIP activities where flashbacks, dissociation, hypervigilance and trigger avoidance stop you doing tasks reliably. Diagnosis under NG116 or ICD-11 is the anchor.
Which activities does PTSD score on?
Most commonly: Mob 1 (planning and following a journey, especially alone or on public transport), DL 9 (engaging with people), DL 4 (washing, where triggers apply), DL 1 (preparing food, dissociation and safety), DL 7 (communicating).
Is complex PTSD treated differently?
For PIP, no. The label is CPTSD or PTSD; the test is functional impact. CPTSD often scores more widely because of pervasive relational and self-regulation impact.
Do EMDR or trauma-focused CBT count against me?
No. Being in treatment does not mean you can do tasks safely and repeatedly. Describe what you cannot do while in treatment.
What if my trauma is not on my medical record?
You do not need to disclose specifics on the PIP form. You need to describe the functional impact. A GP or IAPT letter noting PTSD diagnosis and treatment is enough evidence at claim stage.
General information and document drafting, not benefits advice. Finally Seen is not affiliated with DWP or the NHS and does not guarantee any award. Check current guidance at gov.uk before sending.