PIP Application and Assessment Process 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: After submitting a PIP claim, what is the first formal document the claimant typically receives from the DWP?
- A decision letter
- An invitation to a face-to-face assessment
- A 'How your disability affects you' (PIP2) questionnaire (Correct answer)
- A request for GP records
Correct answer: A 'How your disability affects you' (PIP2) questionnaire
After the initial claim call, DWP sends the PIP2 'How your disability affects you' form for the claimant to describe how their condition affects daily living and mobility.
Question 2: What is the standard deadline for returning the PIP2 'How your disability affects you' form?
- 14 days from the date on the form (Correct answer)
- 1 month from the date on the form
- 28 days from the date on the form
- 21 days from the date on the form
Correct answer: 14 days from the date on the form
Claimants are given 1 month (usually cited as approximately 4 weeks / 28 days) to return the PIP2 form, but the formal deadline printed on the form is typically 1 month.
Question 3: Which organisation was responsible for conducting PIP assessments before Capita and Atos took over in some regions?
- MAXIMUS (Correct answer)
- Serco
- G4S
- Reed in Partnership
Correct answer: MAXIMUS
MAXIMUS was one of the original assessment providers before the current contracted providers, Capita and Atos (now Opus), handled PIP health assessments.
Question 4: During a PIP assessment, what does the assessor primarily use to reach their recommendation?
- The claimant's GP notes alone
- Observations and functional assessment against PIP descriptors (Correct answer)
- The DWP's internal database of similar claims
- A standardised written test completed by the claimant
Correct answer: Observations and functional assessment against PIP descriptors
Assessors observe the claimant and ask questions to evaluate how their condition affects function, scoring each activity against the statutory PIP descriptors.
Question 5: If a claimant fails to attend their PIP assessment without good reason, what typically happens?
- They are automatically awarded standard rate PIP
- Their claim is suspended pending a new appointment
- Their claim may be disallowed (refused) (Correct answer)
- They receive a warning letter before any action is taken
Correct answer: Their claim may be disallowed (refused)
Missing an assessment without good cause usually results in the claim being disallowed, meaning no PIP is awarded.
Question 6: What type of evidence can be most helpful to include when returning the PIP2 form?
- Tax return documents
- Evidence from healthcare professionals describing functional impact (Correct answer)
- Bank statements showing disability-related expenses
- Letters from employers about sick leave taken
Correct answer: Evidence from healthcare professionals describing functional impact
Supporting evidence from GPs, consultants, occupational therapists, or other professionals describing how the condition affects daily function carries significant weight.
Question 7: After receiving the PIP assessment report, how long does the DWP typically take to make a benefit decision?
- Same day as the report is received
- Up to 2 weeks
- Around 3–4 weeks on average (Correct answer)
- At least 3 months
Correct answer: Around 3–4 weeks on average
Once the assessment report is received, DWP case managers usually take around 3 to 4 weeks to review the report and issue a formal decision letter.
PIP Application and Assessment Process 2
After submitting a PIP claim, what is the first formal document the claimant typically receives from the DWP?