Can You Claim PIP for Crohn's Disease or Colitis?

Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis are inflammatory bowel conditions that can cause severe pain, fatigue, urgent and unpredictable bathroom needs, and complications requiring surgery or stoma care.

These conditions can qualify for PIP where they substantially affect daily living or mobility.

Unpredictability and urgency are often just as important to PIP as the underlying diagnosis.

Crohn's and colitis and daily living

• managing incontinence or urgent bathroom needs, including cleaning yourself
• managing a stoma bag, where relevant
• preparing and eating food safely due to pain or dietary restrictions
• managing medication, including steroids, biologics or immunosuppressants
• washing and bathing, particularly during flare-ups
• planning daily activities around bathroom access

Crohn's and colitis and mobility

Mobility can be affected by fatigue, pain and joint problems that sometimes accompany inflammatory bowel disease, as well as by the practical need for reliable bathroom access, which affects the "planning and following journeys" activity.

• severe fatigue reducing walking distance and stamina
• joint pain associated with IBD affecting movement
• anxiety about being away from a toilet affecting willingness to travel
• the unpredictability of flare-ups disrupting planned journeys

Why flare-ups need to be described in detail

Crohn’s and colitis often fluctuate between remission and flare-ups. Describing only a period of remission is likely to understate the real, ongoing impact.

It can help to describe:

• how often flare-ups occur
• what happens during a flare-up, in detail
• how long recovery takes
• what you avoid doing because of urgency or unpredictability

Evidence for a Crohn’s or colitis claim

• gastroenterology clinic records
• colonoscopy or endoscopy results
• medication history, including biologics and steroids
• hospital admission or surgery records
• stoma care records, where applicable

Frequently asked questions

Does PIP consider bathroom urgency and incontinence?

Yes, managing toilet needs, including incontinence and stoma care, is a specific PIP daily living activity.

Can I claim PIP while in remission?

It depends on whether ongoing effects, fatigue or the risk and frequency of flare-ups still substantially affect your daily living or mobility.

Check your eligibility

Our online PIP eligibility process looks at the real impact of Crohn's disease or colitis on your daily life, including flare-ups.

Silverwings Benefits is independent of DWP and charges for its application assistance service. You can also claim PIP yourself directly through DWP for free.