PIP The PIP Points System 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: If a claimant's condition fluctuates, how does the PIP assessment handle variable ability?
- Only the best days are considered
- Only the worst days are considered
- The assessor considers how the condition affects the claimant over 12 months (Correct answer)
- A single assessment day determines the score
Correct answer: The assessor considers how the condition affects the claimant over 12 months
PIP assessors must consider how the claimant's condition affects them over a 12-month period, accounting for fluctuation.
Question 2: What is the 'majority of days' rule in PIP scoring?
- You must be affected on at least 5 days a week
- A descriptor applies if it reflects your experience on more than 50% of days (Correct answer)
- You must prove impairment for 30 consecutive days
- Assessors average your good days and bad days equally
Correct answer: A descriptor applies if it reflects your experience on more than 50% of days
A descriptor is considered to apply if it reflects your situation on more than half the days in the assessment period.
Question 3: Which Daily Living activity covers communicating verbally?
- Activity 5
- Activity 6
- Activity 7 (Correct answer)
- Activity 8
Correct answer: Activity 7
Activity 7 in the Daily Living component covers communicating verbally, including reading and understanding written information.
Question 4: A claimant can walk 60 metres unaided but no more than 200 metres. How many points do they score for Mobility Activity 2?
- 2 points
- 4 points (Correct answer)
- 6 points
- 8 points
Correct answer: 4 points
Being able to move more than 50 metres but no more than 200 metres unaided scores 4 points under Mobility Activity 2.
Question 5: What does 'supervision' mean in the context of PIP activity descriptors?
- Having a carer live with you
- The continuous presence of another person to ensure your safety (Correct answer)
- Regular check-ins from a nurse
- Being monitored by a social worker
Correct answer: The continuous presence of another person to ensure your safety
Supervision in PIP means the continuous presence of another person to ensure you do not come to harm while performing an activity.
Question 6: Which of the following scoring outcomes qualifies a claimant for BOTH the enhanced Daily Living AND enhanced Mobility rates?
- 11 Daily Living points and 11 Mobility points
- 12 Daily Living points and 8 Mobility points
- 12 Daily Living points and 12 Mobility points (Correct answer)
- 8 Daily Living points and 12 Mobility points
Correct answer: 12 Daily Living points and 12 Mobility points
Enhanced rates for both components require at least 12 points in Daily Living AND at least 12 points in Mobility.
Question 7: Why might a claimant who can physically perform an activity still score points for that activity?
- PIP always awards some points regardless of ability
- They may be unable to complete it safely, reliably, or without undue pain (Correct answer)
- Physical ability is not assessed in PIP
- A GP note automatically adds points
Correct answer: They may be unable to complete it safely, reliably, or without undue pain
Even if a claimant can physically perform an activity, they may score points if doing so causes significant pain, takes too long, or cannot be done repeatedly.
PIP The PIP Points System 5
If a claimant's condition fluctuates, how does the PIP assessment handle variable ability?