PIP Application and Assessment Process 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Under what circumstances can a PIP claimant request a paper-based review instead of a face-to-face assessment?
- If they are under 18 years old
- If the assessment provider agrees sufficient evidence exists to decide without a face-to-face meeting (Correct answer)
- If they live more than 50 miles from an assessment centre
- Automatically if they have a terminal illness
Correct answer: If the assessment provider agrees sufficient evidence exists to decide without a face-to-face meeting
A paper-based (file) review can occur when the assessment provider determines that the available evidence is comprehensive enough to make a recommendation without seeing the claimant in person.
Question 2: What is the Special Rules for Terminal Illness (SRTI) provision in PIP?
- A provision that waives the mobility component for terminally ill claimants
- A fast-track route giving enhanced rate daily living to those expected to die within 12 months (Correct answer)
- A rule that suspends reassessments for life once granted
- A provision that requires a specialist GP referral before applying
Correct answer: A fast-track route giving enhanced rate daily living to those expected to die within 12 months
Under SRTI, claimants with a terminal illness and a life expectancy of 12 months or less can receive enhanced rate daily living component without a face-to-face assessment, fast-tracked by DS1500/SR1 form.
Question 3: Who can submit a PIP claim on behalf of a claimant who lacks mental capacity?
- Any family member regardless of legal authority
- Only a solicitor
- An appointee recognised by the DWP (Correct answer)
- The claimant's GP
Correct answer: An appointee recognised by the DWP
A DWP-appointed appointee can act on behalf of a claimant who cannot manage their own affairs, making and receiving benefit decisions in their place.
Question 4: How many points must a claimant score in the daily living activities to qualify for the enhanced rate daily living component?
- 8 points
- 10 points
- 12 points (Correct answer)
- 15 points
Correct answer: 12 points
A score of 12 or more points across the daily living activities is required to qualify for the enhanced rate daily living component of PIP.
Question 5: Which of the following is NOT one of the ten daily living activities assessed under PIP?
- Preparing food
- Managing therapy or monitoring a health condition
- Driving a vehicle (Correct answer)
- Communicating verbally
Correct answer: Driving a vehicle
Driving a vehicle is not one of the assessed activities; PIP daily living covers preparing food, taking nutrition, managing therapy, washing/bathing, managing toilet needs, dressing/undressing, communicating verbally, reading, engaging with others, and budgeting decisions.
Question 6: A claimant's condition fluctuates significantly. How does PIP assess variable conditions?
- Only on the claimant's best days
- Only on the claimant's worst days
- On the basis of how the condition affects the claimant for the majority of the time (more than 50% of days) (Correct answer)
- By taking an average score across a full calendar year
Correct answer: On the basis of how the condition affects the claimant for the majority of the time (more than 50% of days)
PIP uses the '50% rule' — a descriptor applies if the claimant satisfies it on more than half of the days in a 12-month period.
Question 7: What format are most PIP assessments conducted in following changes introduced during and after the COVID-19 pandemic?
- Always in person at an assessment centre
- Predominantly by telephone or video call, with face-to-face retained where needed (Correct answer)
- Exclusively by written questionnaire with no verbal contact
- Via a home visit by the assessor in all cases
Correct answer: Predominantly by telephone or video call, with face-to-face retained where needed
Since the pandemic, telephone and video assessments have become mainstream for PIP, though face-to-face assessments are still used when other formats are inappropriate.
PIP Application and Assessment Process 3
Under what circumstances can a PIP claimant request a paper-based review instead of a face-to-face assessment?