Updates

Don’t forget your travel expenses form

If you have a Personal Independence Payment (PIP) consultation at one of our PIP centres or one of our partners’ centres, remember to collect a form for your expenses while you are there.

When would you have a consultation at home for PIP?

For people who do need to be seen in person most consultations take place in one of the consultation centres around the country. However, if it is clear from the information that we have that travelling to a consultation centre would cause significant distress we will automatically arrange for the consultation to take place in the claimant’s home.

Observations as part of a Personal Independence Payment consultation

An aspect of the Personal Independence Payment (PIP) assessment that is sometimes misunderstood is how informal observations are taken into account. The PIP Assessment Guide, produced by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), is very explicit about this (we have included the relevant extract at the end of this item).

How are fluctuating medical conditions handled under Personal Independence Payment (PIP)?

We know that many people have conditions or disabilities that may vary over time. They may have good and bad days, good and bad months, or good and bad times within a day. If you have a fluctuating condition, you will want to be sure that it will be fully considered during your consultation.

What are the ‘reliability’ criteria that are used during the PIP consultation?

PIP assesses your ability to perform 12 daily living and mobility activities, such as preparing food, communicating verbally, and planning and following journeys. It is not sufficient to be able to complete these activities once, or occasionally; PIP assesses your ability to undertake tasks “reliably”. Reliability has four components each of which must be satisfied in order for an activity to be undertaken ‘reliably’.

The role of mental function champions in the Personal Independence Payment consultation process

Mental Function Champions (MFCs) are experienced Health Professionals who have direct and relevant work experience of helping patients with mental health problems and who can advise the HP on any aspect of the effects of mental health conditions on someone’s everyday life.

The PIP claim process for people who are terminally ill

For anyone who is terminally ill and not expected to live more than 6 months, there is a special fast-track PIP claim procedure called Special Rules for Terminally Ill.