PIP Personal Independence Payment 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: For how long must a health condition or disability have already lasted before a person can make a new PIP claim?
- 1 month
- 3 months (Correct answer)
- 6 months
- 12 months
Correct answer: 3 months
The condition must have affected the claimant for at least 3 months before claiming, and is also expected to continue for at least 9 more months.
Question 2: For how much longer after the claim date must a health condition be expected to continue for PIP eligibility?
- 3 more months
- 6 more months
- 9 more months (Correct answer)
- 12 more months
Correct answer: 9 more months
The condition must be expected to last at least 9 more months from the date of claim, making the total duration requirement 12 months (3 past + 9 future).
Question 3: What is the very first step a person should take when starting a PIP claim?
- Complete and post the PIP2 form
- Obtain a supporting letter from their GP
- Call the PIP new claims telephone line (Correct answer)
- Attend a face-to-face medical assessment
Correct answer: Call the PIP new claims telephone line
A PIP claim starts with a telephone call to the DWP PIP new claims line, after which the claimant is sent the PIP2 self-assessment form.
Question 4: What is the name of the form where claimants describe how their condition affects their daily life and mobility?
- PIP1
- PIP2 — How Your Disability Affects You (Correct answer)
- ESA50
- UC50
Correct answer: PIP2 — How Your Disability Affects You
The PIP2 form, officially titled 'How Your Disability Affects You', is where claimants provide detailed evidence about their functional difficulties.
Question 5: Can a person who is currently employed make a PIP claim?
- No, PIP is only for people who are not working
- Yes, PIP can be claimed regardless of employment status (Correct answer)
- Only if working fewer than 16 hours per week
- Only if earning below the National Living Wage
Correct answer: Yes, PIP can be claimed regardless of employment status
Because PIP covers extra disability-related costs rather than lost income, employment status has no bearing on eligibility.
Question 6: What happens if a claimant fails to return the PIP2 form by the stated deadline without contacting the DWP?
- They are automatically awarded the standard rate temporarily
- Their claim may be closed by the DWP (Correct answer)
- They receive an automatic one-month extension
- They must restart the entire application process from the beginning
Correct answer: Their claim may be closed by the DWP
If the PIP2 form is not returned in time and no contact is made, the DWP can close the claim, requiring the claimant to start over.
Question 7: Which organisations typically carry out PIP health assessments on behalf of the DWP?
- NHS trusts and GP surgeries
- Independent Assessment Services (Atos) and Capita (Correct answer)
- Citizens Advice and local councils
- HMRC and the Pension Service
Correct answer: Independent Assessment Services (Atos) and Capita
The DWP contracts private healthcare assessment providers — currently Capita and Independent Assessment Services (formerly Atos) — to conduct PIP assessments.
PIP Personal Independence Payment 4
For how long must a health condition or disability have already lasted before a person can make a new PIP claim?