PIP - Personal Independence Payment Providing Supporting Evidence Questions and Answers

Question 1

A claimant has a severely fluctuating condition. Which of the following pieces of evidence would be most effective for demonstrating the day-to-day impact of their condition to a DWP decision-maker?

Accepted Answer

A diary kept by the claimant for two to four weeks detailing their difficulties with specific PIP activities on good and bad days.

Answer

A one-off letter from a GP confirming the diagnosis.

Answer

A prescription list showing the medication they take for the condition.

Answer

A standard hospital discharge summary from six months ago.

Question 2

When a health professional, such as a specialist or GP, provides a supporting letter for a PIP claim, which of the following elements makes the evidence most useful for the assessment?

Accepted Answer

A focus on the functional impact of the condition, explaining how it affects the claimant's ability to perform the specific PIP activities reliably.

Answer

A detailed explanation of the medical diagnosis and its etiology.

Answer

A list of all medications prescribed, including dosages.

Answer

A strong statement simply confirming that the claimant should be entitled to PIP.

Question 3

A claimant submits their PIP2 'How your disability affects you' form, a recent report from their Occupational Therapist (OT), and a letter from their carer. How should a DWP decision-maker weigh these different types of evidence?

Accepted Answer

The claimant's own account on the PIP2 form is considered the main evidence, with the other reports used to support and corroborate it.

Answer

The OT report is the only piece of evidence that should be considered as it is from a medical professional.

Answer

The carer's letter should be disregarded as it is likely to be biased.

Answer

Only evidence that has been specifically requested by the DWP should be given any weight.

Question 4

Which of the following is an example of strong supporting evidence for a claim involving significant mental health difficulties affecting the 'Engaging with other people face to face' activity?

Accepted Answer

A letter from a Community Psychiatric Nurse (CPN) describing observed instances of the claimant's overwhelming distress in social situations.

Answer

An MRI scan of the claimant's brain.

Answer

A list of cancelled hospital appointments.

Answer

A statement from the claimant saying they 'don't like crowds'.

Question 5

A decision-maker is reviewing a case where a report from a consultant neurologist, dated a year ago, states the claimant's condition is stable. However, a more recent letter from the claimant's GP, who sees them regularly, details a significant deterioration and provides specific examples of new functional limitations. How should the decision-maker proceed?

Accepted Answer

Weigh both pieces of evidence, considering their relevance, detail, and particularly the recency of the GP's letter which reflects the claimant's current state.

Answer

Disregard the GP's letter as the consultant is a specialist and their opinion holds more weight regardless of date.

Answer

Automatically accept the most recent evidence from the GP without question.

Answer

Only consider the evidence that would lead to the lowest possible award.

Question 6

A claimant is advised not to delay returning their PIP2 form while waiting for a supporting letter from their consultant. What is the correct procedure in this situation?

Accepted Answer

The claimant should submit the PIP2 form by the deadline and send the supporting evidence separately as soon as it is received.

Answer

The claimant must wait for all evidence before submitting the form, even if it means missing the deadline.

Answer

The claimant should ask the DWP for an indefinite extension until all evidence is gathered.

Answer

The claim will be automatically decided without the consultant's letter if it is not sent with the PIP2 form.