The PIP Points System Flashcards

What happens to your PIP points if you can complete an activity but only with significant pain?

Answer: You may score higher descriptor points

If completing an activity causes significant pain or fatigue, you may not be considered able to do it 'safely' and may score higher-level descriptor points.

Which Daily Living activity covers a claimant's ability to prepare food?

Answer: Activity 1

Activity 1 of the Daily Living component covers preparing food, specifically making a simple cooked meal.

What is the maximum score achievable across all Daily Living activities?

Answer: 48 points

The Daily Living component has 10 activities and the combined maximum descriptor scores total 48 points.

Under the PIP points system, which descriptor would a claimant use if they need someone to wash their lower body for them?

Answer: Needs assistance to wash below the waist

The washing and bathing activity includes a specific descriptor for needing assistance to wash the lower body only.

How are points from the Daily Living and Mobility components combined for PIP purposes?

Answer: They are assessed and paid completely separately

Daily Living and Mobility are assessed and paid as two completely separate components with independent scoring thresholds.

What is the key reason why a claimant scoring 0 on individual activities could still receive PIP?

Answer: Points across all activities are added together

Points from all activities within a component are summed, so small scores across many activities can reach the payment threshold.

What does the 'reliability' criterion mean in the PIP points system?

Answer: You can complete the activity safely, to an adequate standard, repeatedly, and in a reasonable time

Reliability in PIP means doing the activity safely, to an adequate standard, as often as required, and within a reasonable time period.