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Personal Independence Payments can be a lifeline for disabled people facing a higher cost of living due to their health. However, only around 50% of new claims result in an award and the assessment process can be difficult.
To lend a hand, disability experts at Purpl, who have been through the claims process themselves, revealed some of the key points people need to keep in mind when filling out their claim form. Particularly when it comes to calculating their points.
PIP is not awarded based on your diagnosis but rather on how it affects your day-to-day life or mobility. To gauge this, the PIP form asks claimants how much difficulty they experience with a number of different tasks, from cooking to planning a journey, and points are given based on how much assistance they require.
However, many people may understate their difficulties at this part of the assessment. Or those with fluctuating conditions may base their answers on how they do on their better days.
To help, the DWP has shared four vital criteria that people should consider when asking if they are able to do one of these tasks:
Reliably Timeously Repeatedly Safely
Experts at Purpl explained that applicants should consider whether they can do the activity reliably, in a timely fashion, repeatedly and safely. If not, then they may be considered 'unable to complete the activity described at that level'.
In this case, reliably means being able to do the task to a reasonable standard. In a timely fashion means it should take less than twice the time it would take for a non-disabled person.
To meet the 'repeatedly' criteria, the applicant would need to complete the action throughout the day as the activity requires. If you experience symptoms or side effects from repeatedly doing an action, such as pain or fatigue, you'll need to keep this in mind when completing the form.
Finally, in order to be considered to be doing the task safely, you should be able to complete it without being likely to cause harm to yourself or another person, either directly or through vulnerability to the actions of others.
For example, if a claimant struggles to do up zips and buttons due to severe arthritis, it takes them much longer to get ready and causes pain and fatigue when attempting to do it multiple times. They would be classed as not being able to do the task in a timely fashion, repeatedly, or safely, depending on how much harm it may cause them.
Georgina Colman, a disability and money-saving expert, added: "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."