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PIP ASSESSMENTS CAN TAKE PLACE IN PERSON, OVER THE PHONE OR VIA VIDEO CALL - HERE'S EVERYTHING YOU SHOULD KNOW LINDA HOWARD Money and Consumer Writer and LAUREN HAUGHEY Lifestyle and

Money Reporter 13:29, 30 May 2025 Have a PIP assessment lined up and don't know what to say or do? Don't fret - we have collated the latest guidance on approaching your interview,

whether over the phone, via video call, or in person. PIP - also referred to as the Personal Independence Payment - is a financial benefit designed to help eligible people with living costs.

This generally includes the following: * People with a long-term physical or mental health condition or disability * People who struggle with day-to-day tasks due to a condition The

Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has emphasised that PIP may be claimed even if you are working, have savings or are getting most other benefits. Eligibility is generally decided in a

PIP assessment, which is used to understand how difficult you find everyday tasks. Read on below for more information. Article continues below PIP ASSESSMENT PROVIDERS Online guidance is

available for those awaiting a health assessment to ascertain which provider will oversee their procedure. You can verify this by entering your local area or postcode on the GOV.UK website

here. Should you be scheduled for a PIP assessment or Work Capability Assessment (WCA), it will be facilitated by a specific company: * South West England: Serco (previously Atos) * South

East England, London and East Anglia: Ingeus UK Limited (previously Atos) * Northern Ireland: Capita Business Services (previously Capita) * Scotland (WCA only) and North England: Maximus UK

Services Limited (previously Atos) * Midlands and Wales: Capita Business Services (previously Capita) READ MORE: ITV Love Island's Gabby Allen says her 'wonky' appearance

gave rise to diagnosis UNDERSTANDING THE NATURE OF A PIP EVALUATION The PIP assessment offers a chance to express how your condition impacts you – it's not an investigation into your

medical status or a physical examination. The DWP considers the information from this assessment to reach a verdict on eligibility for PIP, according to the Daily Record. Your evaluation

will be conducted by a healthcare professional who will also compile a report and dispatch it to the DWP adjudicator. If you're awaiting a review, it's wise to keep a copy of your

PIP evidence form handy for telephone, video, and in-person assessments. This allows you to refer back to it, particularly if it was completed several years ago. DISCUSSING THE EFFECT OF

YOUR CONDITION Advice from Citizens Advice recommends readiness to discuss the impact of your condition, despite prior detailed accounts in your PIP evidence document (the PIP2 form). This

can be challenging, but it would be greatly beneficial if you could discuss: * The type of tasks you struggle with, or are unable to do at all, for instance, climbing stairs without

assistance or remembering to attend appointments. * How your condition impacts your daily life * What a difficult day looks like for you - for example, 'On a bad day, I can't walk

at all due to the severe pain in my injured leg' or, 'On a bad day, I'm so depressed I can't focus on anything'. READ MORE: NHS flags 'lifelong condition'

with fatigue and cramps among possible symptoms OBSERVATIONS ON WHAT YOU SAY AND DO DURING THE ASSESSMENT The assessor will utilise the information you provided on your PIP claim form and

form opinions based on what you say and do on the day. For example, suppose you state that you took the bus to reach the centre for a face-to-face assessment. In that case, they might

interpret that as you can travel independently on public transport, unless you provide additional clarification. You may also be asked to perform some physical tasks during the face-to-face

assessment. Don't feel obliged to do things you wouldn't usually be able to do. If you manage to do them on the day of the assessment, the assessor may assume you can always do

them, so if you're uncomfortable with something, speak up. In the telephone assessment, you might be asked to explain how you perform basic tasks like preparing and cooking meals,

washing and dressing yourself, and navigating outside your home. Take your time with your responses, as they are referring to your claim form and asking the same questions you've

already answered. PAUSE, REFLECT AND REPLY Break down your answer and guide them through how you complete tasks step-by-step to provide an accurate depiction of how your disability or health

condition affects you. What might seem like a lengthy process for you will clearly demonstrate to the assessor how you accomplish tasks, so don't attempt to hasten or simplify your

process. The assessor will observe your mental state throughout the evaluation. They will note if you seem depressed or happy, tense or relaxed, and how you handle social interactions. OTHER

THINGS TO REMEMBER * Do not let the assessor hurry you and avoid simply responding with 'yes' or 'no' to their inquiries. * Always aim to explain how an action would

affect your emotions afterwards and its potential impact on you if repeated in a short timeframe. You can have someone accompany you during the assessment, whether over the phone, via video

call, or in person. Just remember to switch the call to loudspeaker and inform the assessor of your companion's presence. It's also worth checking in with your assessment provider

to confirm that your assessment centre has all the necessary resources. If anything is missing, feel free to ask for it. This will help you feel more at ease on the assessment day. Here are

a few examples: Article continues below * Ask if you will have to go upstairs and if there's a lift that can accommodate a wheelchair, if you need one. * If you need an interpreter or

signer, ask at least two working days before your assessment so they have time to arrange it. * Ask if you can make an audio recording of the assessment - you must do this three days before

your evaluation, and ask your provider about the rules for using recording equipment. * Ask for the person assessing to be the same gender as you, if that's important to you. * Ask how

roomy the centre is if you get anxious in enclosed spaces. If the rooms or corridors are small, tell them this could make you anxious and see what they can offer you. If your face-to-face

assessment location is over 90 minutes away by public transport and you struggle with long-distance travel, an alternative location or home visit may be offered. The latest DWP guidance on

attending an assessment can be found on the GOV.UK website here.