The PIP assessment is an opportunity for you to talk about how your condition affects you. Its purpose is not to diagnose your condition or to serve as a medical examination. It’s important you prepare for the assessment because the DWP will use its conclusions as evidence to decide if you are eligible for PIP.
You may wish to read the information below which will help you to prepare for your PIP assessment.
Preparing for your PIP assessment (EWS) https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/sick-or-disabled-people-and-carers/pip/help-with-your-claim/your-assessment/
You, or your (Parent, Partner, family member) could consider keeping a diary for a couple of weeks and record the ways in which you need day to day support. Getting evidence to support your PIP claim (EWS) § Keeping a PIP diary
We have also included a link to the charity Scope which has information which will help you to prepare for the assessment: https://www.scope.org.uk/advice-and-support/preparing-for-pip-assessment/
Talking about how your condition affects you
You should be prepared to talk about how your condition affects you even if you’ve already detailed it in your PIP claim form. It will really help if you can talk about:
- The kind of things you have difficulty with or can’t do at all. For example, taking medication without prompts from someone else or going up stairs without an aid.
- 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 leg hurts so much’, or ‘on a bad day, I’m so depressed I can’t concentrate on anything’.
It is a good idea to take a copy of your PIP claim form with you. That way you can refer to it in the assessment and help you to remember to tell the assessor everything you want them to know about your condition.
Observations on what you say and do at the assessment
The assessor will use the information you gave on your PIP claim form but also from what you say and do on the day. For example, they might ask you how you got to the assessment centre. If you say you came on the bus, they’ll note that you can travel alone on public transport.
You might be asked to carry out some physical tasks during the assessment. Don’t feel you have to do things in the assessment that you wouldn’t normally be able to do. If you do them on assessment day, the assessor may think you can always do them. If you’re not comfortable with something you can tell the assessor.
The assessor will also make a note of your mental state during the assessment for example, they’ll record whether you look depressed or happy and how you cope with social interaction.
Asking for an adjustment
Make sure to check with your assessment provider that their assessment centre has everything you need to access it. If it doesn’t, you can ask for it by phoning your assessment provider using the number on your appointment letter.
For example:
- Ask if you’ll have to go upstairs, and if there’s a lift that can accommodate a wheelchair if you use one.
- Ask how spacious the centre is if you get anxious in enclosed spaces. If the rooms or corridors are small, tell them this could make you anxious and see what they can do to make you feel comfortable.
- Ask for an interpreter or signer if you need one. You must do this at least 2 working days before your assessment so they have enough time to arrange it.
- Ask for the person carrying out the assessment to be the same gender as you, if it is important to you.
- Ask if you can make an audio recording of the assessment. You must do this 3 days before your assessment and ask your provider about their rules for using recording equipment.
You can claim back your travel costs for the journey to and back from the assessment centre. Ask the receptionist at the centre for a travel expenses claim form and a prepaid self-addressed envelope. Include all your tickets and receipts with the claim form.
If you have been told you will be assessed over the phone and you’re worried about this, you can have someone aged 16 or over on the call with you. They can take part in discussions and take notes. If you’re not comfortable speaking on the phone, you can let the DWP know – they can assess you by looking at your application and medical evidence.
You would be penalised in your application if you failed to attend the assessment. Contact your assessment provider straight away if you can’t make your appointment. If you have a good reason for not going, they may reschedule it. The number to contact is on your appointment letter.