What Happens at a PIP Assessment?

If you have applied for Personal Independence Payment (PIP), you may be asked to take part in an assessment.

The idea of an assessment can make people anxious, particularly if they do not know what to expect.

A PIP assessment is not a test that you need to “pass”.

It is an opportunity for a health professional to gather more information about how your health condition or disability affects your everyday life and mobility.

Does everyone have a PIP assessment?

Not necessarily.

Sometimes there is enough information available for your claim to be considered without a consultation with you.

This is sometimes called a paper-based review.

If more information is needed, you may be asked to take part in an assessment.

How can a PIP assessment take place?

Depending on your circumstances, an assessment can take place:

• by telephone
• by video
• face-to-face

You should be told what type of assessment has been arranged and when it will take place.

Read the appointment information carefully.

If you have accessibility or communication needs, contact the assessment provider as early as possible to explain them.

Who carries out the assessment?

The consultation is carried out by a health professional working for the PIP assessment provider.

Their role is to gather information and prepare an assessment report.

They do not make the final decision about whether you receive PIP.

The Department for Work and Pensions considers the evidence, including the assessment report, and makes the benefit decision.

What will I be asked?

The health professional will usually ask about your health conditions or disabilities and how they affect your everyday life.

The conversation may cover areas such as:

• preparing food
• eating and drinking
• medication and treatment
• washing and bathing
• using the toilet
• dressing
• communicating
• reading
• mixing with other people
• managing money
• planning and following journeys
• moving around

They may also ask about your home, work, treatment, medication, hobbies, routines and the support you receive.

These questions can help build a wider picture of how you manage everyday activities.

Why am I being asked about an ordinary day?

You may be asked what you do during a typical day.

This does not mean that PIP is awarded according to whether you have a busy or quiet lifestyle.

The assessor may use information about your routine to understand how your condition affects the activities considered by PIP.

Try to explain how you actually manage, including any help, equipment, prompting, supervision, adaptations or extra time you need.

Should I answer according to my worst day?

No.

But you should not answer according to your best day either.

Many conditions fluctuate.

Explain:

• what your better days are like
• what your more difficult days are like
• how often each occurs
• whether your difficulties change during the day
• what happens when symptoms become worse

The assessment should consider the effect of your condition over time rather than treating the appointment itself as a complete picture of your health.

What if I can do something, but only with difficulty?

Explain the difficulty.

Do not stop at:

“Yes, I can do that.”

If relevant, explain:

how you do it

how long it takes

whether you need help

whether you use equipment

whether it causes pain, fatigue or distress

whether there is a risk

whether you can repeat it when needed

PIP looks at whether relevant activities can be carried out reliably, not simply whether you can manage them once.

Should I give examples?

Yes, where you can.

Real examples can help explain what happens in everyday life.

Instead of only saying:

“I struggle to cook.”

you might explain a recent occasion when you tried to prepare food, what difficulty occurred, whether somebody helped and what happened afterwards.

You do not need to invent examples or exaggerate.

Use genuine situations that help explain your difficulties.

Can somebody be with me?

Yes, you can have another person with you if you find that helpful.

This could be someone such as:

• a partner
• family member
• friend
• carer
• advocate

They can provide reassurance and may be able to help explain your circumstances.

The assessment should mainly involve you, but a companion can contribute where appropriate.

This can be particularly useful if you have difficulty remembering information, communicating or recognising the extent of your own support needs.

What if I become anxious or upset?

Tell the health professional.

Some of the questions may involve things that are difficult to talk about.

If you need a question repeated or explained, ask.

If you need a short break, say so.

Do not feel that you need to appear more capable or comfortable than you actually feel.

Equally, there is no need to deliberately behave differently because you are being assessed.

The aim is to give an accurate picture of your circumstances.

Will the assessor observe me?

Information gathered during the consultation can include observations made by the health professional.

For a face-to-face or video assessment, this could include things they can see during the consultation.

For telephone, video and face-to-face assessments, the health professional can also consider relevant things arising from the conversation and how the consultation takes place.

However, an assessment should not simply be a snapshot of one moment.

Your wider evidence and how your condition affects you over time are also important.

Will I have a physical examination?

A face-to-face assessment may sometimes include a physical examination where appropriate.

You should not be asked to perform something that would be unsafe or cause you harm.

If you are asked to do something that you cannot safely manage, explain why.

Are PIP assessments recorded?

Current arrangements provide for audio recording of telephone and face-to-face PIP consultations.

Check the information sent with your appointment so you understand the recording arrangements and what to do if you have questions about them.

Different arrangements can apply to video assessments.

What should I have with me?

Before the assessment, it can help to have:

• your appointment information
• a copy of your PIP form if you kept one
• notes about important difficulties you want to explain
• information about medication
• details of treatment or support
• any relevant information requested by the assessment provider

You do not need to memorise your form.

Your notes can simply help you remember important points.

Should I prepare?

Preparing does not mean learning answers.

It means thinking beforehand about how your condition affects you.

You might make a few notes under headings such as:

What do I find difficult?

What help do I need?

What equipment or adaptations do I use?

What happens if I try without help?

How often does this happen?

What are my better and worse days like?

Can I do the activity safely and repeatedly?

This can be especially useful if you become anxious, tired or forgetful during conversations.

What if something on my form has changed?

Explain it.

There may have been a delay between completing your form and having the assessment.

If your circumstances have changed, say what has changed and when.

If you realise that something on your original form was unclear or incomplete, you can also explain it.

What happens after the assessment?

The health professional prepares a report containing information from the assessment and their recommendations.

The report is sent to the DWP.

A DWP decision maker then considers the available evidence, including your claim information and the assessment report, before deciding:

• whether you qualify for PIP
• whether you qualify for daily living, mobility or both
• whether the award is at the standard or enhanced rate
• how long the award should last, where applicable

You will then receive a decision.

What if I disagree with the decision?

An assessment recommendation is not the end of your options.

If the eventual PIP decision does not reflect how you believe your condition affects you, you can ask for the decision to be reconsidered.

This is called a Mandatory Reconsideration.

There are separate MH360 guides explaining what to do if a PIP claim is refused and how the challenge process works.

7.18: What Is Personal Independence Payment (PIP)?

7.21: Can I Claim PIP for a Mental Health Condition?

7.22: How Does PIP Look at How My Condition Affects Me?

7.24: My PIP Claim Has Been Refused, What Can I Do Next?

7.25: What Is a PIP Mandatory Reconsideration?

7.26: How Do I Challenge a PIP Decision?

1.9: How to Calm Yourself When You’re Feeling Anxious

11.8: Breaking Problems Into Manageable Steps

Important information

This guide provides general information and is not intended to provide benefits, legal, medical or other professional advice. PIP assessment processes and arrangements can change, and individual circumstances can be different. Check the information provided with your assessment and current official guidance, or seek advice from an appropriately qualified benefits adviser if you need help with your claim.