PIP assessments

What the assessment is

Most PIP claims include an assessment, where a health professional looks at how a condition affects the daily living and mobility activities. It may be by telephone, video, in person, or sometimes on the papers alone. The assessor writes a report, but the decision is made by a DWP decision maker, not the assessor.

What you may be asked

Questions usually focus on how you manage everyday activities — preparing food, washing, dressing, getting around, mixing with people, and so on. Assessors may ask about a typical day and may note how you appear during the assessment. It is generally helpful to describe difficulties as they are across good and bad days, not just on the day of the assessment.

Preparing for it

People often find it helps to re-read what they wrote on the claim form, think about how their condition affects each activity reliably and repeatedly, and have any aids, medication lists or notes to hand. A friend, family member or carer can usually be present for support.

After the assessment

Once the report is sent to the DWP, a decision maker decides the award. If the decision is not what was expected, there is a route to challenge it. See decisions after assessment, then mandatory reconsideration and appeal.

Next steps

• Understand PIP decision letters.
• Read about evidence and the reliability rules.
• Official source: GOV.UK — PIP assessment.