What PIP is and who the assessment is designed for
Personal Independence Payment (PIP) is a benefit paid by the UK Department for Work and Pensions to people aged 16 to 64 who have a long-term physical or mental health condition or disability that affects their ability to carry out daily activities or work-related tasks. The payment is not based on your income or savings — it depends on how your condition affects what you can do.
PIP has two components: a daily living component and a mobility component. You may receive one, both, or neither, depending on the outcome of your assessment. The assessment itself is the key step — it determines whether you meet the criteria and at what rate.
The process begins when you contact the Department for Work and Pensions to request an assessment. You will need to provide information about your condition, how it affects you on a daily basis, and what support or aids you use. This information is then reviewed, and you may be invited to an assessment appointment with a healthcare professional.
Key Takeaways
- PIP is assessed based on how your condition affects your ability to carry out daily activities and mobility, not on the diagnosis itself.
- You must have had your condition for at least three months and expect it to last at least nine months more to be considered.
- The assessment involves a detailed claim form, medical evidence, and usually a face-to-face or telephone appointment with a healthcare professional.
- The decision is made by a DWP decision maker who reviews all evidence, not by the healthcare professional who conducted the assessment.
- You have the right to appeal any decision, and many appeals succeed because new evidence or clearer information is provided.
The three-month rule and duration requirement
Before you can be assessed for PIP, your condition must have been present for at least three months already. This means you cannot claim PIP for a newly diagnosed condition until three months have passed since the symptoms or diagnosis began.
Additionally, the DWP must believe your condition will last for at least nine months more from the date you claim. If your condition is expected to improve or resolve within nine months, you will not meet the duration requirement. This rule applies even if your condition is severe right now.
If you have a terminal illness, the three-month waiting period is waived, and you can claim immediately. You will need medical evidence to support this, typically a letter from your consultant or GP.
What information you need to provide in your claim
When you contact the DWP to claim PIP, you will be sent a detailed claim form. This form asks about your daily activities — getting washed and dressed, preparing food, managing medication, getting around, and socialising — and how your condition affects each one. Be specific about what you struggle with and what help or equipment you need.
You should also provide medical evidence: letters from your GP, hospital consultants, therapists, or other healthcare professionals who know your condition. These letters should describe your diagnosis, how long you have had it, what treatment you receive, and how it affects your functioning. If you have recent hospital discharge summaries, assessment reports from occupational therapists, or records from mental health services, include those too.
The form also asks about aids and adaptations you use — walking sticks, wheelchairs, hearing aids, medication reminders, or home modifications. List everything, because the assessment is about what you can do with support, not what you cannot do without it.
The assessment appointment and what to expect
After you submit your claim form and evidence, the DWP will arrange an assessment appointment. This is usually conducted by a healthcare professional — a nurse, physiotherapist, or occupational therapist — who works for a private company contracted by the DWP. The appointment may be face-to-face at a local assessment centre, or by telephone, depending on your circumstances and the current arrangements.
The healthcare professional will ask you to describe your condition and how it affects you. They may ask you to demonstrate certain movements or activities. They are not there to diagnose you — they are there to observe how your condition affects your functioning on the day. If you have a bad day or a good day, that single appointment is just one piece of evidence; the decision maker will also consider your claim form and medical evidence.
You can bring a support person to the appointment — a family member, friend, or advocate. You can also request a break if you need one. If you cannot attend in person, you can request a telephone appointment instead, and you should do this as soon as you receive the appointment letter.
How the decision is made and what the rates are
After your assessment, a DWP decision maker — not the healthcare professional who saw you — reviews all the evidence: your claim form, medical evidence, and the assessment report. They apply the PIP descriptors, which are specific statements about what you can and cannot do. For example, the daily living component has descriptors about preparing food, managing medication, and washing yourself. The mobility component has descriptors about walking and planning journeys.
You are awarded points based on which descriptors match your situation. The points determine the rate: standard rate or enhanced rate for each component. The decision maker writes a letter explaining which descriptors they found you met and why. This letter is crucial if you later appeal.
PIP rates change each year in April. The current rates vary depending on whether you receive the standard or enhanced rate for daily living and mobility, so your total payment depends on which components and rates you are awarded.
What to do if your claim is refused or you disagree with the decision
If the DWP refuses your claim or awards you a lower rate than you expected, you have the right to ask for a mandatory reconsideration. This is a free review of the decision by a different DWP official. You must request it within one month of the decision letter, though you can ask for an extension if you have a good reason.
When you request a reconsideration, send new evidence if you have it — updated medical letters, additional information about how your condition affects you, or clarification of points the decision maker may have misunderstood. Many reconsiderations succeed because the new information changes the outcome.
If the reconsideration upholds the original decision, you can appeal to the independent First-tier Tribunal. This is a hearing in front of a judge and medical expert who will review your case from scratch. You can represent yourself or bring an advocate. Many appeals succeed, particularly when you have strong medical evidence or when the assessment report did not accurately reflect your condition.
Medical evidence and how to gather it
Medical evidence is the strongest part of your claim. Contact your GP and ask them to write a letter describing your condition, how long you have had it, what treatment you receive, and how it affects your daily functioning and mobility. Be specific in your request — tell them you are claiming PIP and ask them to address the areas that affect you most.
If you see a specialist — a consultant, therapist, or mental health professional — ask them for a letter too. Hospital discharge summaries, assessment reports from occupational therapists, and records from rehabilitation services all carry weight. If you have recent test results, scans, or diagnostic reports, include copies.
If your GP or specialist is reluctant to write a letter, ask whether they can provide a summary of your medical records instead. Some practices charge a small fee for this. If you have been assessed by social services or a local authority occupational therapist, their report is valuable evidence of how your condition affects your daily life.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to attend the assessment appointment in person?
No. You can request a telephone assessment when you receive your appointment letter, or you can contact the DWP before the appointment to ask for one. Telephone assessments are now standard in many areas. If you have severe anxiety, agoraphobia, or mobility problems that make travel difficult, explain this in your request.
What happens if I miss my assessment appointment?
If you miss the appointment without notifying the DWP, they may make a decision based on the evidence they have — your claim form and medical evidence — without an assessment. This can result in a lower award or refusal. If you cannot attend, contact the DWP as soon as possible to reschedule or request a telephone appointment instead.
Can I work and still receive PIP?
Yes. PIP is not affected by how much you earn or whether you work. The assessment is about your functioning, not your employment status. However, if you work, be honest about what you can do at work versus what you struggle with in daily life — the two may be different.
How long does the whole process take from claim to decision?
The DWP aims to make a decision within 12 weeks of receiving your claim form, but this varies. If you are invited to an assessment, add four to eight weeks for the appointment to be arranged and conducted. Appeals and reconsiderations can take several months. During this time, you can ask the DWP for an update on your claim status.
What if my condition gets worse after I am awarded PIP?
You can request a revision of your award if your condition has significantly worsened. Contact the DWP and explain what has changed. You will need new medical evidence to support the request. If the change is recent, the DWP may ask for another assessment before making a new decision.