Guide: How to make PIP contact you with email only - no letters, no calls, no face-to-face

TastyPermission

I have just successfully got the DWP to promise that they will contact me by email only. That means no letters, no phonecalls, and no face-to-face assessments. If your disabilities mean that you can't take phonecalls or have any other difficulties with the communication PIP usually uses, email the address format.pip@dwp.gov.uk.

The magic formula to include in your email is:

1. "I am writing to request a reasonable adjustment in communication." (that's the legal jargon for them meeting your needs)
2. "I have [condition/s] and am defined as disabled under the Equality Act 2010." (that's the law that forces them to comply - you don't need specific diagnoses but can say e.g. "auditory processing issues" or whatever brief summary describes you)
3. "Due to my disabilities I am unable to communicate with the DWP by phonecall [or give any other communication types or formats you can't do]." (be specific but brief, you don't need to explain exactly why this need follows from your disabilities as long as you state that it does)
4. "Therefore, I need [your specific communication requirements] when communicating with the DWP." (tell them exactly what you actually need - for example, I said that I need asynchronous text-based communication such as email for both when the DWP contacts me and when I need to contact them directly. I specified that this includes assessments as well as any other contact about my PIP status or application.)
5. "Please contact me to confirm that the DWP will [meet your needs as requested]." (always ask for receipts)
6. "[Your full name], [your National Insurance number]." (make sure they can find your case)

Please share this information with anyone you think might need it! It's actually illegal that they don't already have it public alongside their phone number and postal address.