The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has unveiled new figures indicating that 661,620 Personal Independence Payment (PIP) assessments were conducted over the phone between February 2022 and January 2023. This accounts for 66% of all assessments, including new claims, award reviews and changes of circumstances.
During this timeframe, DWP data shows that 69,570 (7%) of all assessments were carried out in-person through face-to-face consultations. Furthermore, there were 179,390 (18.1%) paper-based assessments and 69,140 (7%) completed via video call.
As of the end of May, the DWP confirmed that there were 392,000 outstanding PIP award reviews in England and Wales. However, PIP claimants living in Scotland will not have their awards reviewed by the DWP as their cases will be transferred to Adult Disability Payment (ADP) before the end of 2025.
If any of the remaining 172,954 Scots on PIP report a change in circumstances or are nearing the end of their fixed award, their case will be moved to Social Security Scotland.
For those preparing for a PIP assessment – whether it’s part of a new claim or an award review – it could be conducted in-person, over the phone or via video call. Successful PIP claimants could receive between £28.70 and £184.30 every week, reports the Daily Record.
As PIP is paid every four weeks, this equates to between £114.80 and £737.20 per pay period.
PIP and Adult Disability Payment rates 2024/25
Daily Living Component
- Enhanced: £108.55
- Standard: £72.65
Mobility Component
- Enhanced: £75.75
- Standard: £28.70
What is a PIP assessment?
The PIP assessment serves as a platform for you to discuss how your condition impacts your daily life. It’s not a diagnosis or a medical examination.
The DWP will use the evidence gathered during this assessment to determine your eligibility for PIP.
A healthcare professional will conduct your assessment, compile a report and forward it to the DWP decision maker.
Discussing how your condition affects you
Citizens Advice provides a useful guide suggesting that you should be ready to discuss the impact of your condition, even if you’ve already detailed it in your PIP evidence form (the PIP2 document).
Although it can be challenging, it’s beneficial to talk about:
- the tasks you struggle with or cannot do at all – such as climbing stairs without assistance or remembering appointments.
- how your condition influences your daily routine.
- what a difficult day looks like for you – for instance, ‘On a bad day, I can’t walk at all due to severe pain in my injured leg’ or ‘On a bad day, I’m so depressed I can’t focus on anything’.
It’s also advisable to have a copy of your PIP evidence claim form handy during telephone, video and face-to-face assessments, so you or someone with you can refer back to it.
Observations on what you say and do during the assessment
The assessor will utilise the information you provided on your PIP claim form, but they will also form opinions based on what you say and do on the day. For instance, if you’re asked how you arrived at the centre for a face-to-face assessment and you respond that you took the bus, without further explanation, they may note that you are capable of travelling alone on public transport – unless you specify otherwise.
You may also be requested to perform some physical tasks during the face-to-face assessment. Don’t feel compelled to do things that you wouldn’t normally be able to do.
If you manage to do them on the day of the assessment, the assessor might assume you can always do them, so if something makes you uncomfortable – speak up.
During the phone assessment, you might be asked to explain how you carry out simple tasks like preparing and cooking food, getting dressed and washed, and how you navigate outside your home. Don’t rush your response, bear in mind they are reviewing your claim form and asking the same questions you’ve already answered.
Pause, think, and then respond
Break down your answer and guide them through how you complete tasks step-by-step to provide an accurate depiction of how your disability or health condition affects you.
What might seem like a lengthy process for you, will clearly illustrate to the assessor how you accomplish tasks – so don’t attempt to hasten or simplify how you get things done.
The assessor will also take into account your mental state during the assessment – for instance, they will note whether you appear or sound depressed or happy, tense or relaxed, and how you manage social interaction.
Things to bear in mind during the assessment
- Don’t let the assessor rush you and try not to just answer ‘yes’ or ‘no’ to their questions
- Always try to explain how doing something would make you feel afterwards and the impact it can have on you if you had to do it repeatedly in a short period of time
You are allowed to have someone with you while you undergo the assessment over the phone, on a video call or in person. Just ensure to put the call on speaker and inform the assessor about who is accompanying you.
Bringing someone along for support during a face-to-face assessment
You are permitted to bring someone with you into the actual assessment if they are 16 or older. This could be anyone who helps you feel more at ease, such as a friend, relative or carer.
If you wish, they can participate in discussions and jot down notes for you.
Prior to attending a face-to-face assessment
Ensure to check with your assessment provider that your assessment centre has everything you require – if it doesn’t, you can request for it. This can assist in making you feel more comfortable on the day.
Here are a few examples:
- Inquire if you will need to climb stairs, and if there’s a lift that can accommodate a wheelchair if you require one.
- Ask about the spaciousness of the centre if you tend to get anxious in confined spaces – if the rooms or corridors are small, inform them that this could cause you anxiety and see what alternatives they can provide you.
- If you require an interpreter or signer, make sure to request one at least two working days prior to your assessment to allow time for arrangement.
- You can also request for the assessor to be of the same gender as you if it matters to you.
- If you wish to audio record the assessment, you must inform them three days before your assessment and inquire about the rules regarding the use of recording equipment.
Changing venue
In terms of changing the venue, if the location of your face-to-face assessment is more than 90 minutes away by public transport and travelling long distances poses a challenge for you, an alternative location or home visit might be offered.
