23-04-2025
New calls to scrap PIP assessments and base payment awards on medical conditions
A new online petition is calling for decisions on eligibility for Personal Independence Payment (PIP) to be made based solely on a medical diagnosis, without the need for an assessment from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).
When someone makes a new claim for PIP, they complete the 'PIP 2 evidence form', which contains a series of questions with set answers (known as descriptors) for both the daily living and mobility elements of the disability benefit. Each answer is awarded points, you need eight points for the standard rate of either the daily living or mobility component and 12 for the enhanced rate.
However, petition creator Rebecca Tyler-Squires believes a 'diagnosis should be enough and that this change could ensure fair access and dignity for all'.
It's important to be aware PIP assessments can be made in person, over the phone or by video call. Some PIP claims can also be paper-based, without the need for an assessment by a Health Professional.
The 'Review PIP eligibility criteria and award payments based on medical diagnoses' petition has been posted on the Petitions Parliament website and states: 'We believe many conditions should receive Personal Independence Payments (PIP) that currently do not. Disabled people can incur additional costs and we feel the assessment criteria does not take that into account.
'We think that a diagnosis should be enough and that this change could ensure fair access and dignity for all. In 2022, the National Audit Office found that in the previous 6 years at least 69 suicides could have been linked to problems with benefit claims.
'The system is often reported as being dehumanising and cruel. We think that more people and a broader spectrum of people should be awarded PIP. We stand against changes to reduce PIP claimants.'
At 10,000 signatures of support the petition is entitled to a written response from the UK Government, at 100,000 it would be considered by the Petitions Committee for debate in Parliament. You can view it in full here.
The latest figures from the DWP show there are now 3.7 million people across Great Britain receiving additional financial support through PIP.
Over the 2025/26 financial year, PIP and ADP will provide weekly support of between £29.20 and £187.45, some £116.80 or £749.80 every four-week pay period.
The DWP also recently confirmed the success rates for people making a new claim for PIP who attend an assessment in-person or remotely.
Minister for Social Security and Disabilities, Sir Stephen Timms shared PIP success rates from 2015 to October 2024 which show currently, some 55 per cent of all new claims for the disability benefit are successful. Face-to-face assessments for the October 2024 period show a success rate of 44 per cent, while those conducted remotely had a 57 per cent success rate.
The success rate for PIP reached a peak of 69 per cent in 2016, but has declined gradually each year, falling to 51 per cent in 2021 and 2022, but started to rise again in 2023 (53%).
The figures for England and Wales only, were published in a written response after Conservative MP Neil O'Brien asked what the successful claim rate and average number of points scored for the daily living and mobility components were for the last 10 years.
PIP success rates
The data shows in October last year, the average number of points scored was:
Assessment in-person
Daily living - 5
Mobility - 4
Assessment not in-person (conducted remotely)
Daily living - 8
Mobility - 5
PIP points and payment rates
Daily living component
Between 8 and 11 points in total - you will be awarded the standard rate of PIP
12 points in total - you will be awarded the enhanced rate of PIP
Mobility component
Between 8 and 11 points in total - you will be awarded the standard rate of PIP
12 points in total - you will be awarded the enhanced rate of PIP
What is a PIP assessment?
The PIP assessment is an opportunity for you to talk about how your condition affects you - it's not a diagnosis of your condition or a medical examination. The DWP will take into consideration evidence from the assessment to decide if you should be awarded PIP.
A health professional will carry out your assessment, write a report and send it to the DWP decision maker.
If you are waiting on a review, it's a good idea to have a copy of your PIP evidence form with you for telephone, video and face-to-face assessments. That way you can refer back to it, especially if it was completed a few years ago.
Talking about how your condition affects you
A helpful guide on the Citizens Advice website says you should be prepared to talk about how your condition affects you even if you've already detailed it on your PIP evidence form (the PIP2 document).
This can be hard to do, but it will really help if you can talk about:
Observations on what you say and do during the assessment
The assessor will use the information you gave on your PIP claim form but also draw opinions from what you say and do on the day. For example, they might ask you how you got to the centre for a face-to-face assessment - if you say you came on the bus, without further clarification, they could make a note stating you can travel alone on public transport - unless you highlight otherwise.
You might also be asked to carry out some physical tasks during the face-to-face assessment. Don't feel you have to do things you wouldn't normally be able to do. If you do them on assessment day, the assessor may think you can always do them, so if you're not comfortable with something - say so.
During the telephone assessment you may be asked to describe how you complete simple tasks such as preparing and cooking food, getting washed and dressed and how you move around outside the home. Don't rush to respond, remember they are looking at your claim form and asking the same questions you have already answered.
Pause, reflect and reply
Break your answer down and take them through how you complete tasks step-by-step to paint an accurate picture of how your disability or health condition affects you.
What may seem like a drawn out process for you, will demonstrate exactly how you accomplish tasks to the assessor - so don't try to speed up or simplify how you get things done.
The assessor will also make a note of your mental state during the assessment - for example, they will record whether you look or sound depressed or happy, tense or relaxed and how you cope with social interaction.
Things to remember 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 can have someone with you while you do the assessment over the phone, on the video call or in person, just remember to put the call on loudspeaker and advise the assessor who is with you.
Taking someone with you to a face-to-face assessment for support
The DWP has guidance on attending an assessment, which you can find on the website here. You can take someone with you into the actual assessment if they are 16 or over. This could be anyone who makes you feel more comfortable, like a friend, relative or carer. If you want, they can take part in discussions and make notes for you.
Before going to a face-to-face assessment
Check with your assessment provider that your assessment centre has everything you need - if it doesn't, you can ask for it. This can help make you feel more comfortable on the day.
Here are a few examples:
ask if you will have to go upstairs, and if there's a lift that can accommodate a wheelchair if you need one
ask how roomy the centre is if you get anxious in enclosed spaces - if the rooms or corridors are small, tell them this could make you anxious and see what they can offer you
ask for an interpreter or signer if you need one - do this at least two working days before your assessment so they have time to organise it
ask for the person carrying out the assessment to be the same gender as you, if that's important to you
ask if you can make an audio recording of the assessment - you must do this three days before your assessment and ask your provider about the rules for using recording equipment
Changing the venue
If the location of your face-to-face assessment is more than 90 minutes away by public transport and you have difficulty travelling long distances, you might be offered an alternative location or home visit. Again, refer to the newly published guidance as it includes travel restriction advice for Scotland, England and Wales.
