Top Tips for PIP (Personal Independence Payment) Applications

Personal Independence Payment (PIP) can help you with some of the extra costs if you have a long term ill-health or disability (includes visual impairment).

Tops Tips for claiming PIP

We have put together a few tips to consider when completing the PIP claim form to help improve your chances of a successful claim with the rate of benefit you’re entitled to.

General Tips

• Remember PIP is based on how your visual impairment affects you and not the condition itself or any medication you take for it.
• When answering the questions, describe your worst-case scenarios (as if it was your worst day with your visual impairment).
• The form is very long so is best done in segments. If you have difficulty completing it, state that you have had to seek help to do this and how long it actually took you.

Mobility Component Tips

The activity that is likely to be the most relevant to you is Going out, but if other mobility activities apply to you, make sure to answer those questions too.

When giving your answers, think about these things:

• What difficulties you experience with getting around
• What help you need. Remember, what matters is whether you need help – not if it is actually provided.
• Do your difficulties vary at different times? If so, how and how often?
• Can you plan and follow a route safely and to an acceptable standard and as often as you need to?
• How long does it take?

Daily Living Component Tips

The activities most relevant to you are likely to be:

• Preparing food
• Eating and drinking
• Managing treatments
• Washing and bathing
• Dressing and undressing
• Reading
• Mixing with other people

For these answers, think about:

• What difficulties you have with these tasks and if you can do them safely.
• What help you need. What matters here is whether you need help – not if it is actually provided.
• Do your difficulties vary from day to day or throughout the day and if so, how and how often?
• How long does it take you to complete each task, can you complete them to an acceptable standard and as often as you need to?

How is your claim assessed?

Decision makers at the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) will review your application and your answers will be scored based on their criteria which they refer to as ‘descriptors’. Your scores will be totalled which will indicate your award.

Help with making your claim

The PIP claim form is an important document that should be completed fully and comprehensively, perhaps with support. You’ll need to answer all questions correctly and concisely as this will increase the probability of a successful award.

There are many services that can help you to complete the Personal Independence Payment (PIP) form free of charge such as Citizens Advice and others that charge a fee.

We offer a personal and comprehensive paid for service to help you maximise your chance of a successful claim for £150 (no VAT is applicable).  email Dan Williams at daniel@visualisetrainingandconsultancy.co.uk  or call/text him on 07472305268 to find out more.

*As at 14/10/20