People applying for PIP could be sabotaging their own claim by not understanding four crucial parts of the criteria
Personal Independence Payments (PIP) can be a vital financial support for disabled people grappling with higher living costs due to their health conditions. However, only about half of new claims result in an award and the assessment process can be challenging.
To assist, disability experts at Purpl, who have experienced the claims process first-hand, have shared some crucial points that people should bear in mind when completing their claim form, especially when it comes to tallying their points.
PIP isn’t granted based on your diagnosis, but rather on how it impacts your daily life or mobility. To assess this, the PIP form asks claimants how much difficulty they encounter with various tasks, from cooking to planning a journey, and points are awarded based on the level of assistance they need.
However, many people may downplay their difficulties during this part of the assessment. Or those with fluctuating conditions may base their responses on their better days.
To aid, the DWP has outlined four essential criteria that people should consider when determining if they can perform one of these tasks:
- Reliably
- Timely
- Repeatedly
- Safely
Purpl’s experts explained that applicants should ponder whether they can carry out the activity reliably, promptly, repeatedly and safely. If not, then they might be deemed ‘unable to complete the activity described at that level’.
In this context, ‘reliably’ means being capable of performing the task to a satisfactory standard. ‘In a timely fashion’ implies that it should take less than double the time it would for a non-disabled person.
To fulfil the ‘repeatedly’ criteria, the applicant must be able to carry out the action throughout the day as required by the activity. If you experience symptoms or side effects from repeatedly performing an action, such as pain or fatigue, this should be taken into account when filling in the form.
Lastly, to be deemed as carrying out the task safely, you should be able to do it without posing a risk to yourself or others, either directly or through vulnerability to the actions of others.
For instance, if a claimant struggles with zips and buttons due to severe arthritis, taking them significantly longer to get ready and causing pain and fatigue when attempting to do it multiple times, they would be categorised as unable to perform the task in a timely manner, repeatedly, or safely, depending on the potential harm it may cause them.
Georgina Colman, an expert in disability and money-saving, further explained: “PIP considers how your condition affects you on the majority of days (more than 50% of the time) so if your condition fluctuates, think about it over a longer period of time. If your condition varies, explain bad days vs. good days and how often each occurs.”
The experts also recommended sharing examples for tasks that you struggle with, explaining which of these four criteria you don’t meet. It said: “Don’t just state that you struggle with a task—explain why and what happens when you attempt it.
“For example, if you have difficulty dressing, describe whether this is due to pain, stiffness, fatigue, or another factor, and specify which parts of the task you struggle with.
“Similarly, if fatigue is a factor, you might explain: ‘My condition causes extreme exhaustion, and even lifting my arms to put on a shirt leaves me feeling drained. If I attempt to get dressed without help, I need to rest for at least 20 minutes afterwards’.
“If safety is an issue, describe any risks involved, such as falls, dizziness, or injury. By giving clear, specific details and explaining how often this happens, you can provide stronger evidence for why you meet the descriptor criteria.”