Updates

Can you have a companion with you for your PIP consultation?

We want to make sure that you know that you are welcome to have a companion with you during your consultation. A companion can be anyone you choose: from a friend or family member to a support worker or carer. We know that having someone with you can help to make attending a consultation much less stressful. If your consultation is at one of our consultation centres a companion can also provide practical or emotional support while you are travelling and whilst waiting to go in.

What to have with you for a PIP consultation?

One of the key things people want to know before their Personal Independence Payment (PIP) consultation is what they should have with them.

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 assessment.

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

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’.

What is a PIP Consultation?

The PIP consultation will be conducted by one of our Health Professionals, who is trained is disability assessments for PIP, and will be able to assess the impact of your health condition or disability on daily life.

The role of mental function champions in the Personal Independence Payment assessment 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.

Our role in the delivery of Personal Independence Payment

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) have overall responsibility for PIP, and directly manage the claim, decision making and payments part of it, as well as the overall policy that sets out how it works. The assessment part of the PIP process, which happens when you first claim PIP as well as periodically while you receive it, is managed by assessment providers, one of which is us (we cover Scotland, the north of England and the south of England including London).

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.