Personal Independence Payment

It can be hard to get help filling in the claim form; it is lengthy and can take a long time to fill in. 

There are places in Bristol and South Gloucestershire that may be able to help with giving information over the phone, or at a drop-in. Some places offer appointments to help with filling in the form but often there is a wait and not everyone will be able to get this support. 

It is always worth trying to talk to someone about claiming PIP before doing the form and reading the information online if you can. Always take a photocopy of the completed form as you may need it in the future.

A local advice centre may be able to help you with your PIP form - see below. 

Disability Rights UK produce a guide to filling in a PIP form.

Citizens Advice produces guidance to help people fill in the form and guidance on getting evidence to support the claim.

A decision will be made based on what is put on the claim form and from other medical evidence. Most people will also need to be seen face-to-face by a healthcare professional.

PIP is a points-based test. Citizens Advice provides useful information about how the PIP points system works.

The person you care for may be asked to travel quite a long distance to a centre for the assessment. They can ask for a home visit but will usually need medical evidence to show this is needed. The claimant can ask for a different date, time or location (maybe somewhere nearer home) but Independent Assessment Services (IAS), who carry out Personal Independence Payment assessments on behalf of the Department of Work and Pensions in this area, will usually only offer one new appointment. Be sure to let them know as soon as possible if the appointment needs to be changed. You can find out more about IAS and their role on the IAS website.

Some people worry about the assessment and it can be a stressful experience. It is made much easier if you know what to expect and can prepare. The claimant can take someone with them to the assessment for practical and emotional support. If you go along with the person you care for, you will not be able to speak on their behalf but can remind of anything they may have forgotten to say. It may be useful later on if you keep notes on what is said at the appointment.

Citizens Advice has a guide to preparing for your assessment and it’s worth reading.

After the face-to-face assessment, a letter will be sent with the decision. If a Personal Independence Payment is awarded, seek a full welfare benefit check as the person you care for may be entitled to other financial help. If the daily living part is awarded you may be able to claim Carers Allowance.

If the claim is turned down or the person you care for is awarded less than you think they should, it may be worth asking for a mandatory reconsideration and, if this is unsuccessful, an appeal. Get advice from a welfare rights specialist (see below). Citizens Advice gives guidance on challenging the decision.

There are strict time limits for asking for a mandatory reconsideration and an appeal and it’s important to stick to them. If you do miss the deadline you can still ask for the decision to be looked at again but you will need to have what the Department of Work and Pensions agree is a good reason for putting in a late request.

Advice Now produce a guide to PIP appeals.

If the person's needs increase, they may be entitled to a higher rate of PIP. They can ask for the claim to be looked at again to try and get a higher rate but it’s always best to seek advice as PIP could be reduced rather than increased.

If the person’s needs decrease and they think that they no longer meet the criteria for PIP they will need to notify the PIP unit of this too.

PIP stops after someone has been in hospital for 28 days. The withdrawal of PIP can affect the amount of means tested benefits that they get so it’s important to inform all the separate offices that pay benefits to the person you care for.

If you get Carers Allowance this will also be affected when PIP is withdrawn so you will need to notify the Carers Allowance Unit.

If you get a means-tested benefit this may also be affected so you need to let all the separate offices that pay your benefits know about any changes in your caring role.

There are different rules often known as ‘special rules’ that enable people who are terminally ill to make a PIP claim and receive a decision more quickly than usual. Under these rules someone is considered to be terminally ill if they have a progressive disease and their death can ‘reasonably be expected’ within the next 6 months.

A special rules claim can be made by calling the usual normal PIP claim line on 0800 917 2222. The person you care for will need to get a DS1500 medical report from the GP, hospital consultant or Macmillan nurse. This can be sent to the DWP by you or the person completing the form. The claim should be fast-tracked and the person you care for will get an award of the enhanced rate of the daily living component but will only receive the mobility component if the relevant disability conditions are met.

There is more information on Citizens Advice's website about claiming PIP for someone who is terminally ill.