PIP Application and Assessment Process 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which two organisations currently hold the main contracts to carry out PIP health assessments in Great Britain?
- MAXIMUS and Capita
- Atos and Serco
- Capita and Atos (now operating as Opus Health) (Correct answer)
- Ingeus and Reed in Partnership
Correct answer: Capita and Atos (now operating as Opus Health)
As of the mid-2020s, Capita and Atos (rebranded as Opus Health) are the two contracted assessment providers delivering PIP health assessments across Great Britain.
Question 2: What is the minimum weekly amount of the standard rate mobility component of PIP (approximate, at 2024/25 rates)?
- £26.90 (Correct answer)
- £45.00
- £71.70
- £28.70
Correct answer: £26.90
At 2024/25 rates the standard rate mobility component is approximately £28.70 per week, and the enhanced rate mobility component is approximately £75.75 per week.
Question 3: A claimant needs to use an aid or appliance to complete a daily living activity. How does PIP treat this?
- Using an aid means the activity is scored at 0 (no difficulty)
- The use of an aid or appliance is factored into the descriptor scoring and may still attract points (Correct answer)
- Only aids prescribed by a doctor are considered in the assessment
- The activity is removed from scoring if an aid makes it fully manageable
Correct answer: The use of an aid or appliance is factored into the descriptor scoring and may still attract points
PIP descriptors specifically reference aids and appliances — needing one to complete an activity attracts points, and the claimant is assessed on what they can do WITH the aid.
Question 4: What does PIP replace for working-age claimants in the UK?
- Incapacity Benefit
- Disability Living Allowance (DLA) (Correct answer)
- Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- Attendance Allowance
Correct answer: Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
PIP was introduced from April 2013 to replace Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for claimants aged 16–64, with existing DLA claimants migrated to PIP on a rolling basis.
Question 5: If a claimant's Mandatory Reconsideration does not change the decision, what is their next option?
- Reapply for PIP from scratch after six months
- Appeal to the First-tier Tribunal (Social Entitlement Chamber) (Correct answer)
- Escalate to the Upper Tribunal immediately
- Submit a judicial review application to the High Court
Correct answer: Appeal to the First-tier Tribunal (Social Entitlement Chamber)
Following an unsuccessful Mandatory Reconsideration, claimants can appeal to the First-tier Tribunal, which is an independent body that can overturn or vary the DWP's decision.
Question 6: When assessing the 'planning and following journeys' mobility activity, which descriptor would apply to someone who cannot follow any route without another person being present due to overwhelming psychological distress?
- Standard rate mobility — can plan but not follow unfamiliar routes
- Enhanced rate mobility — cannot follow any route without supervision (Correct answer)
- Zero points — distress is not a qualifying reason
- Standard rate mobility — needs an aid such as a GPS device
Correct answer: Enhanced rate mobility — cannot follow any route without supervision
Being unable to follow any route to any destination without another person due to overwhelming psychological distress scores the highest descriptor under 'planning and following journeys', qualifying for enhanced rate mobility.
Question 7: Under which regulation can DWP supersede (change) a PIP award without the claimant requesting a review?
- If the claimant moves to a different region of the UK
- If there has been a relevant change of circumstances or DWP has information suggesting the award may be incorrect (Correct answer)
- Only if the claimant's GP requests a reassessment in writing
- If the claimant's household income exceeds a threshold
Correct answer: If there has been a relevant change of circumstances or DWP has information suggesting the award may be incorrect
DWP has the power to supersede an award on its own initiative if new information suggests there has been a relevant change of circumstances or that the original decision was made in ignorance of a material fact.
PIP Application and Assessment Process 5
Which two organisations currently hold the main contracts to carry out PIP health assessments in Great Britain?