Key takeaways
- Most PIP assessments are by telephone or video; some are face to face. You will be sent a date and can ask for a different format if you have a good reason.
- The assessor is a health professional checking your form against the twelve activities. Everything from the moment you answer the phone may be noted.
- Prepare by re-reading your form, keeping a short diary for the week before, and having someone with you to prompt or take notes.
- Describe your worst days honestly and explain how you do things, not just whether you do them.
After you return the PIP form, most people are asked to have an assessment with a health professional working for the assessment provider in your area. It is not a medical examination and it is not a test you can fail, but it is where the assessor forms their view, so it pays to be ready.
What happens at a PIP assessment?
You will receive a letter with a date and time. Assessments usually last between 45 minutes and an hour and are conducted by telephone, video call or face to face. The assessor will go through the daily-living and mobility activities, asking how you manage each one, how often you need help, and what happens when you do not have it. Afterwards they write a report recommending points, and a DWP decision-maker uses that report, your form and your evidence to decide the award.
What is the assessor really looking for?
Whether each descriptor applies to you reliably: safely, to an acceptable standard, repeatedly and in a reasonable time, on the majority of days. Assessors are trained to use 'informal observations', so how you walked in, whether you sat for an hour, how you handled your paperwork and how you coped with the conversation may all be noted. That is not a reason to perform; it is a reason to be yourself and to explain what the assessor cannot see, such as what the rest of the day will look like after this effort.
How should I prepare for a PIP assessment?
- Re-read your form. Your answers should match what you say; keep your copy beside you.
- Keep a one-week diary. Note what you struggled with, what help you had, and how long things took.
- Have someone with you. A relative or friend can prompt you, take notes and confirm what they see at home.
- List your medication and conditions. Including side effects such as drowsiness or dizziness.
- Plan for after. Assessments are tiring. Do not arrange anything else that day.
What should I say, and what should I avoid?
Answer the question that is asked, then add how it is for you on a bad day. Say 'I can, but…' rather than 'I can'. If you use an aid, name it. If someone helps you, say who and how often. Avoid minimising ('I'm fine', 'I manage') and avoid guessing at distances or times; it is better to say 'about the length of the garden path' than to invent metres. If you need a break during the assessment, ask for one; that is itself relevant evidence.
Frequently asked questions
Sources and further reading
The Win Your PIP team
A service of AgeTrust
AgeTrust (charity no. 1124019) has worked on older people's health and loneliness since its founding, including national programmes with the NHS and the Department of Health. Articles are reviewed by the team and updated when guidance changes.
