Important DWP PIP assessment tips for in person, phone and video interviews

According to new data from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), almost 2.9 million people across the UK were claiming Personal Independence Payment (PIP) in January.

Of this number, approximately 305,000 people in Scotland receive financial aid through the benefit – a rise of 8,088 from October 2021.

Further information shared by Minister for Disabled People, Health and Work Chloe Smith revealed that the majority of PIP assessments are being carried out over the phone (77%) or on paper (16%).

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As reported by the Daily Record, in-person consultations made up just 5% of assessments, while video calls accounted for under 2%.

For Scottish claimants, Adult Disability Payment (ADP) is currently being rolled out across the country as a replacement to PIP.

The new benefit will have an emphasis on making decisions from paper-based assessments, and Social Security Scotland has previously indicated that it will only get in touch with claimants in further information is required.

How to prepare for any type of PIP assessment

If you asked to attend a PIP assessment as a new claimant or as part of a review, it could be carried out face-to-face, via phone, or by video call.

Successful claimants could receive anywhere from £ 97.80 to £ 627.60 every four-week period.

Read on for a full summary of everything you need to know to prepare for a PIP assessment.

What is a PIP assessment?

The PIP assessment is an important part of the process as it allows you to share how your disability or physical or mental health condition affects you and your day-to-day life.

Using the evidence obtained during the assessment, the DWP will decide whether you are eligible for PIP – and how much you should get.

The assessment will be carried out by a professional health worker, who will create a report and forward it onto the DWP.

Talking about how your condition affects you

According to a guide on the Citizens Advice website, you should discuss how your condition affects you even if you have already stated so in detail on your PIP evidence form.

While it can be difficult to do, talking about the following can help your application:

• the tasks you require help with, such as walking up steps or getting to appointments

• how your condition affects you from day to day

• what a bad day is like for you – for example, ‘On a bad day, I can’t walk at all because my injured leg hurts so much’ or ‘On a bad day, I’m so depressed I can’t concentrate on anything ‘

It is also advised that you have a copy of your PIP evidence form on-hand during your assessment, so that you can refer back to it.

The assessment is your opportunity to share everything you want the health professional and the DWP to know about your condition.

Observations on what you say and do during the assessment

While the health professional will refer back to the information you put on your PIP form, they will also form their own opinions based on the assessment.

For example, if you are attending an in-person assessment, they may ask how your journeyed to the center – if you tell them you rode on the bus, they will make a note that you are able to ride alone on public transport.

As part of the assessment, the professional may ask you to complete some physical tasks, but do not feel like you are required to do things you normally would not be able to do.

If you can complete a task during the assessment, the professional may assume you can always do it – so if you don’t feel comfortable doing something say so.

You may also be asked how you carry out day-to-day tasks like cooking, washing yourself, getting dressed, and moving about outside your home.

Do not rush out an answer, as they have a copy of your application form on-hand and are asking questions that you have already given answers to.

Pause, reflect and reply

Break up each task into steps and walk the assessor through how you carry out each in order to give a complete picture of how you are affected by your condition.

While this may seem time-consuming, it is important to show exactly how well you are able to complete each task – so do not rush through or simplify the explanation.

During the assessment, the professional will note down your mental state – for example, if you look or sound unhappy or tense.

Things to remember during the assessment

Do not let the professional make you feel rushed, and do not respond to questions with simple ‘yes’ or ‘no’ answers.

If possible, always explain how completing a task would make you feel after, as well as the impact it may have on you if you have to do it repeatedly.

You are permitted to have somebody with you during the assessment, although you should inform the professional you are not alone.

Taking someone with you to a face-to-face assessment for support

The DWP has shared new guidelines for attending assessments, which can be found on the GOV.UK website here.

You can bring somebody with you for the assessment so long as they are over the age of 16 – this could be a friend or a carer.

Before going to a face-to-face assessment

Before heading to an in-person assessment, check that they have everything that is needed – if you can’t request it.

Here are a few examples:

• Ask if you will be required to climb stairs, and if there is an elevator that can fit a wheelchair if required

• Ask how much space there is in the center if you feel uncomfortable in tight spaces

• Ask if there is an interpreter or signer if you require one

• Ask if the professional could be the same gender as you if this is important

• Ask if you could record the assessment, although this must be done three days beforehand

Changing the venue

If the venue is over 90 minutes away by public transport, and you have trouble traveling long distances, you may be offered a different location or a home visit.

Refer to the newly published guidance as it includes travel restriction advice for Scotland, England and Wales.

More help available

Citizens Advice and Benefits and Work have regularly updated details available designed to help claimants understand the assessment process.