Going to the PIP health assessment

Most people have to have a health assessment to claim PIP.

Before your assessment, use the Turn2us PIP Helper to learn about different types of assessments, what to expect and your rights.

Use the Turn2us PIP Helper

Your health assessment is done by Ingeus, Capita, Maximus or Serco, depending on where you live. They are private companies which have been contracted by the government to do the health assessments.

Your appointment might be in person at an assessment centre, by phone or by video call.

Getting ready

Telephone appointments

The appointment can take a long time. Make sure you have:

• Your phone charger
• A glass of water
• A notebook and pen if you want to take notes.

Assessment centre appointments

Take with you:

• Your appointment letter
• Any medical evidence you want to provide (see the Get documents section of this guide)
• Two forms of identification from this list:
  • Passport
  • Foreign national ID card
  • UK driving licence
  • Birth certificate
  • Marriage certificate
  • Council tenancy agreement
  • Housing association tenancy agreement
  • Letter confirming you are entitled to a benefit
  • Council Tax bill.

If you are running late, cannot attend, or cannot find the assessment centre, call the assessment provider using the phone number on your appointment letter.

If you travel by bus or train, keep your tickets and receipts. You can ask for a travel expenses claim form at the assessment centre.

What happens during the assessment

A health professional will carry out your assessment. It usually lasts about one hour but it may be shorter or longer.

Questions about your daily life

The health professional will ask how your health condition or disability affects your everyday life.

They should have read your completed PIP form and any supporting documents you sent. Make sure to tell them if anything has changed since you completed your form.

Examination

The Health Professional may ask you to do simple tasks such as:

• Remember three items in the room just from the health professional saying their names (and not pointing at them)
• Say how much change you would get from £1 when you buy something that is 75p
• Count back from 100, taking away 3 each time.

The health professional may do a physical examination. They will only ask you to do simple movements such as:

• Put your finger in your hand
• Push against the health professional’s hand with your hand or foot

Only do what you feel able to do. Do not push yourself or do anything that causes pain. Tell the health professional if an activity is difficult, painful, or could affect you afterwards.

If you cannot do a movement, explain why. For example, tell them if it causes pain or could make your condition worse later.

Assessment recordings

Face-to-face or telephone assessments are automatically audio recorded (video assessments cannot be recorded). You can ask if your assessment is being recorded just to be sure.

Recordings can be helpful if you disagree with something included in your health assessment report.

The health professional will make notes during your appointment. You can ask them to explain what they have written and correct anything that is wrong.

You can take your own notes during the assessment or ask someone with you to take notes.

If you miss your assessment

If you don’t attend your assessment, the DWP may refuse your claim unless you have a good reason.

The DWP will contact you and ask why you missed it. Explain what happened and send any evidence that support your reason.

If the DWP accepts your reason, they will rearrange your assessment.

If they do not accept your reason, or you do not give one, they may refuse your claim. You can challenge this decision or make a new PIP claim (or you can do both).

If you make a new claim, you will need to complete another form. You can use your previous form to help you answer the questions.

Read our Challenging a Personal Independence Payment (PIP) decision guide for more information.