How PIP assessments work
PIP assessments are carried out by health professionals working for assessment providers contracted by the DWP. The two main providers are currently Capita and Atos (now called Independent Assessment Services). The assessor may be a doctor, nurse, physiotherapist, occupational therapist, or paramedic — they do not need to be a specialist in your particular condition. The assessment is not a medical examination in the traditional sense. Rather, it is a functional assessment designed to understand how your health condition or disability affects your ability to carry out everyday activities. The assessor will ask you questions about your daily routine, your care needs, how you get around, and how your condition varies from day to day. They may also carry out some informal observations, but they are not trying to catch you out. Assessments can take place face-to-face at an assessment centre, by telephone, or by video call. In some cases, the DWP may make a decision based on the paper evidence alone without requiring an assessment at all. If you are asked to attend in person, you will be given the address and appointment time in advance.
Preparing for your assessment
Preparation can make a real difference to how the assessment goes. Before the day, it may be helpful to re-read the PIP2 form ("How your disability affects you") that you submitted, so that your answers at the assessment are consistent with what you wrote. If your condition has changed since you submitted the form, make a note of how things have worsened or varied. Consider making a list of key points you want to mention, organised around the PIP activities (such as preparing food, washing and bathing, managing medication, moving around, and planning and following a journey). Think about your worst days, not just your best days — the DWP guidance says the assessment should consider how you are affected on the majority of days, and this includes bad days. You are entitled to bring someone with you to the assessment for support. This could be a family member, friend, carer, or support worker. They may also be able to provide additional information to the assessor about how your condition affects you. Having someone with you can also help you feel more at ease and can serve as a witness to what was discussed.
What the assessor may ask
The assessor will typically work through the PIP activities in a structured way, asking about both daily living and mobility. They may ask questions such as: "Can you describe a typical day for me?", "How do you prepare meals?", "Can you wash and dress yourself?", "How far can you walk before you need to stop?", and "Can you plan and follow a journey on your own?" For each activity, the assessor is trying to establish whether you can carry it out reliably, repeatedly, safely, and in a timely manner. Even if you can technically do something, if it takes you much longer than someone without your condition, or if doing it causes you significant pain or fatigue, or if you need aids or another person to help, these are all relevant factors. The assessor may also ask about your medication, any aids or adaptations you use, and how your condition fluctuates. Be honest and open — it is natural to want to put a brave face on things, but the assessment is designed to understand the difficulties you face. If something is painful, exhausting, or unsafe, say so. If you have good days and bad days, explain the range.
After the assessment
After the assessment, the assessor will write a report and send it to the DWP. A DWP decision maker will then use this report, along with any other evidence on file, to make the final decision about your PIP claim. The assessor does not make the decision themselves — they provide a recommendation, but the DWP decision maker has the final say. You can request a copy of the assessment report from the DWP. It is a good idea to do this, as it allows you to check whether the assessor accurately recorded what you said. If you believe the report contains errors or does not reflect what happened during the assessment, this can form part of a Mandatory Reconsideration if the decision is not in your favour. Decision letters are typically sent within a few weeks of the assessment, though this can vary. The letter will tell you whether you have been awarded PIP, at what rate, and for how long. If you disagree with the decision, you have the right to request a Mandatory Reconsideration within one month of the decision date.
Related Benefit Pages
Frequently Asked Questions
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Important: Benefits Robin is not affiliated with the DWP or UK Government. We provide information and assistance, not legal or financial advice. These are estimates based on your answers. Final decisions are made by the DWP.