What happens in a PIP Assessment?

Hi @ggmartin , welcome to Scope's online community. We can definitely help you with this.

I've been through the face-to-face PIP assessment myself.

My main piece of advice would be that the assessor doesn't base their decision on your conditions, but how they affect you for things like washing, toileting, eating, getting around, managing medication, and so on.

In the face to face assessment, the assessor asks you about these things in terms of how you go about your ordinary day, and you give as much detail as possible. They may ask you to do things like putting your arms above your head- you can refuse, just be sure to explain why! (I refused one because my back was hurting from completing their other request)

Scope has some really accessible advice on this here-
https://www.scope.org.uk/support/disabled-people/benefits/personal-independence-payment-pip

There's a PIP assessment 'Facts and Questions' page, which may help a great deal! - https://www.scope.org.uk/support/disabled-people/money/pip/faqs

Finally, there's a PIP discussion thread here where you might find some useful information about face to face assessments, or even just chat to others going through the same thing, if you need a friendly ear! -
https://community.scope.org.uk/categories/talk-about-pip-dla

I hope these links help clarify things for you, and if there's anything else I can help with, feel free to contact me, or any other member!

Becca

@ggmartin, Do you have a friend or relative who can go with you and preferably take you by driving or accompanying you in a taxi? This would also be very helpful in the assessment to highlight your problems with communication. It isn't a PIP advisor you'll be seeing it's a PIP assessor who is working for a separate company from the DWP. They are contracted to do the assessments and report back to the DWP about their findings. They will be sat in front of a computer writing while you answer their questions. Just tell them the things you have difficulty with and why. Be very negative. Don't say anything you can do as this will be used to stop you getting the points you are entitled to. Have a look at the PIP descriptors and choose which one's best describe you and base your answers on that. Good Luck hope it goes well..