What should I expect from a PIP face-to-face assessment?

About the assessment

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) uses a health assessment report to help them make a PIP decision.

The health assessment for PIP is carried out for the DWP by two companies called Independent Assesment Services (formerly ATOS) and Capita. Where you live in the UK will decide which company does your assessment.

The health assessment can be on paper or face-to-face. If the health professional doing your assessment needs more information than the How your disability affects you (PIP2) form and/or supporting evidence, you may be invited for a face-to-face assessment.

• You have to attend this assessment and should use it to talk about how your disability affects you.
• Assessments can be in your home or an assessment centre, depending on your needs and if you can travel to the assessment centre.
• You can take someone with you to the assessment for moral support. This could be a parent or friend – someone who knows lots about how your deafness affects you and will help you explain this to the assessor.
• You’ll get a letter giving you the date, time and location of the assessment.

It’s very important to go to the assessment, otherwise the DWP may make a decision without enough evidence which results in your claim being turned down.

The DWP also has the right to reject a PIP application if you don’t go to the assessment.