DWP PIP update on number of face-to-face assessments being recorded | Personal Finance | Finance

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has revealed the number of face-to-face Personal Independence Payment (PIP) consultations being audio recorded by third-party assessment providers, including Capita, Serco, Maximus and Ingeus, in response to a recent freedom of information (FOI) request.

PIP is currently worth up to £737 a month for those who qualify for both the enhanced daily living and mobility components. PIP is money for people who have difficulty with daily living or getting around because of a long-term health condition or disability. It is not means-tested. This means it does not matter how much money you earn or have saved , reports the Daily Record.

Certain benefits require you to undergo a health assessment. These include:

• PIP – England and Wales (if the assessor needs more information)
• Universal Credit – Work Capability Assessment (WCA)
• Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) – WCA
• Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit

Assessments in Northern England are conducted by Maximus. Capita covers the Midlands and Wales, Serco covers South West and South Central England, Ingeus covers the South East, London and East Anglia and Capita covers Northern Ireland.

You can determine which provider covers your area by using the postcode checker on GOV.UK.

The FOI data reveals that in June:

• Capita recorded 1.3 per cent (390) of all PIP face-to-face assessments
• Maximus recorded 0.3 per cent (50) of all PIP face-to-face assessments
• Serco recorded 0.4 per cent (40) of all PIP face-to-face assessments
• Ingeus recorded 0.4 per cent (40) of all PIP face-to-face assessments

As part of the welfare reform bill, DWP plans to automatically record PIP assessments with an opt-out option for claimants.

PIP assessments in a nutshell

The PIP assessment is a chance for you to discuss how your condition impacts your daily life – it’s not a diagnosis or a medical examination. The DWP will use the evidence from this assessment to determine if you’re eligible for PIP.

Your assessment will be conducted by a health professional, who will then write a report and send it to the DWP decision maker.

If you’re awaiting a review, it’s advisable to have a copy of your PIP evidence form on hand for telephone, video and in-person assessments. This allows you to refer back to it, particularly if it was filled out a few years ago.

Discussing how your condition affects you

Citizens Advice provides a useful guide suggesting that you should be ready to discuss how your condition impacts you, even if you’ve already detailed it on your PIP evidence form (the PIP2 document). This might be challenging, but it will be beneficial if you can talk about:

• the tasks you struggle with or are unable to do – for instance, climbing stairs without assistance or remembering to attend appointments.
• how your condition influences your day-to-day life.
• what constitutes a ‘bad day’ for you – for example, ‘On a bad day, I’m unable to walk due to severe pain in my injured leg’ or ‘On a bad day, my depression is so severe that I can’t focus on anything’.

Observations on what you say and do during the assessment

The assessor will use the information you provided on your PIP claim form, but they will also form opinions based on what you say and do on the day. For instance, if you’re asked how you arrived at the centre for a face-to-face assessment and you respond that you took the bus, without further explanation, they may note that you are capable of travelling alone on public transport – unless you specify otherwise.

You may also be requested to perform some physical tasks during the face-to-face assessment. Don’t feel compelled to do things you wouldn’t normally be able to do.

If you manage to do them on the day of the assessment, the assessor might assume you can always do them, so if you’re uncomfortable with something – speak up.

During the telephone assessment, you might be asked to describe how you carry out simple tasks such as preparing and cooking food, getting washed and dressed, and how you navigate outside the home. Don’t rush to answer, bear in mind they are reviewing your claim form and asking the same questions you have already responded to.

Pause, reflect and then respond

Break down your answer and guide them through how you complete tasks step-by-step to provide an accurate depiction of how your disability or health condition affects you.

What might seem like a lengthy process for you, will clearly demonstrate to the assessor exactly how you accomplish tasks – so don’t attempt to hasten or simplify how you get things done.

The assessor will also take into account your mental state during the assessment – for instance, they will note whether you appear or sound depressed or happy, tense or relaxed, and how you manage social interaction.

Things to bear in mind during the assessment

• Don’t let the assessor rush you and try not to just answer ‘yes’ or ‘no’ to their questions
• Always try to explain how doing something would make you feel afterwards and the impact it can have on you if you had to do it repeatedly in a short period of time

You are allowed to have someone with you while you undergo the assessment over the phone, on a video call or in person, just ensure to put the call on speaker and inform the assessor who is accompanying you.

Bringing someone along for support during a face-to-face assessment

The DWP provides guidance on attending an assessment, which can be found on the GOV.UK website. You are permitted to bring someone with you into the actual assessment if they are 16 or older.

This could be anyone who helps you feel more at ease, such as a friend, relative or carer. If you wish, they can participate in discussions and jot down notes for you.

Before attending a face-to-face assessment

Verify with your assessment provider that your assessment centre has everything you require – if it doesn’t, you can request it. This can assist in making you feel more comfortable on the day.

Here are a few examples:

• ask if you will have to go upstairs, and if there’s a lift that can accommodate a wheelchair if you need one
• ask how roomy the centre is if you get anxious in enclosed spaces – if the rooms or corridors are small, tell them this could make you anxious and see what they can offer you
• ask for an interpreter or signer if you need one – do this at least two working days before your assessment so they have time to organise it
• ask for the person carrying out the assessment to be the same gender as you, if that’s important to you
• ask if you can make an audio recording of the assessment – you must do this three days before your assessment and ask your provider about the rules for using recording equipment

Changing the venue

If the location of your face-to-face assessment is more than 90 minutes away by public transport and you struggle with long-distance travel, you may be offered an alternative location or a home visit. Refer to the published guidance on GOV.UK which includes travel restriction advice for Scotland, England and Wales.