Can someone come with me to a PIP assessment?

Yes. A friend, family member, carer or support worker can be with you. They cannot answer the questions for you, but they can help you explain how your condition affects you.

✓ Verified vs GOV.UK & Citizens Advice · Jun 2026

Your PIP assessment: what to expect, and how to walk in ready.

Q: Can I record my PIP assessment?

Yes, you can make an audio recording of a phone or face-to-face assessment, but you must ask the assessor in advance. Video recording is not allowed.

Q: What is the most important thing to get across at a PIP assessment?

How you are on a bad day and how often bad days happen. PIP is scored on whether you can do each activity reliably, safely, repeatedly and to an acceptable standard, so describe difficulty, pain, risk and how long things take.

The assessment is where most PIP claims are won or lost — not on whether you have a condition, but on how clearly the impact comes across. Here's exactly what happens and how to prepare calmly.

~90 minTypical assessment length

Phone / videoMost common — face-to-face rising in 2026

Bring someoneA friend or carer can sit with you

Record itYou can audio-record — ask in advance

THE ONE THING THAT MATTERS MOST

Describe your worst days — and how often they happen

PIP is scored on whether you can do each activity reliably, safely, repeatedly and to an acceptable standard. Don't describe a good day. Say "on most days…", "X times a week I…", "afterwards I need to rest for…". If you can't do something safely or without severe pain, you can't do it.

See the full PIP claim & appeal guide →

What actually happens

After you return your PIP2 "How your disability affects you" form, a health professional (working for a DWP contractor, not the DWP itself) reviews it with your medical evidence. They then assess you — increasingly by phone or video, and from April 2026 more face-to-face appointments (the DWP has said it's raising face-to-face to around 30%). If your written evidence is strong enough, sometimes there's no assessment at all — a paper-based decision.

It usually lasts up to about 90 minutes. You'll be asked how your condition affects daily living (cooking, eating, washing, dressing, managing money, communicating, mixing with people) and getting around (planning a journey, moving around). It can feel like small talk — but everything is noted, so answer in terms of difficulty, not politeness.

Your rights: you can bring someone (friend, family, carer or support worker) — they can't answer for you, but they can help you explain. You can audio-record a phone or face-to-face assessment if you ask the assessor in advance (video recording isn't allowed). You can ask for breaks.

How to prepare

Keep a copy of your PIP2 and re-read what you wrote, so your answers match.
Gather NEW medical evidence — GP or consultant letters, hospital notes, prescription lists, an OT report. The stronger this is, the better, and it can avoid an assessment entirely.
Write a "typical week" diary — what a normal day looks like, what you can't do, what help you need, how long things take, what happens afterwards.
Make symptom bullet points for each activity (using the reliably / safely / repeatedly framing) so you don't freeze on the day.
For phone/video: pick a quiet spot with good signal where you can sit comfortably for 90 minutes; turn off the TV; have your notes and a glass of water.
For face-to-face: take photo ID, your notes and evidence, and arrive in good time.

Don't downplay it. Many people instinctively say "I'm fine" or "I manage". On a bad day, can you do it safely, every time, and without it taking far longer than normal? If not, say so clearly — that's exactly what the assessor needs to record.

Don't miss it. If you can't make the appointment, phone the assessment provider straight away to rearrange — missing it without a good reason can stop your claim. If you need an adjustment (a home visit, a quiet room, a particular format), ask for it in advance.

After the assessment

The assessor writes a report and the DWP decision-maker decides your award. If you're turned down or scored too low, you can ask for a Mandatory Reconsideration within one month, then appeal to an independent tribunal — and most appeals that reach a tribunal succeed. Always ask for a copy of the assessment report so you can see exactly what was written.

Do this now

Re-read your PIP2 and start a typical-week diary today.
Ask your GP or specialist for a supporting letter (request it early — it takes time).
Decide who will sit with you, and ask to record if you'd like to.
Free help filling in forms and preparing: Citizens Advice or a disability charity.

Sources & last checked. GOV.UK (PIP assessments), Citizens Advice (Preparing for your PIP assessment), and the assessment-provider guidance. Last verified June 2026. The "reliably, safely, repeatedly, to an acceptable standard" test and the right to bring someone / record are long-standing; the move to more face-to-face assessments from April 2026 was announced by the DWP. PIP applies in England, Wales and Northern Ireland — in Scotland the equivalent is Adult Disability Payment (lighter-touch consultations). Confidence: high on the process and your rights.

This is guidance, not legal advice. For free personal help, contact Citizens Advice or Scope (0808 800 3333). Crisis help stays free.

Common questions

Will my PIP assessment be phone, video or face-to-face?

The DWP decides based on your case. Phone and video are the most common, but from April 2026 more assessments are face-to-face (the DWP has said it's raising this to around 30%). If your written evidence is strong enough, you may get a paper-based decision with no assessment.

Can I record my PIP assessment?

Yes — you can make an audio recording of a phone or face-to-face assessment, but you must ask the assessor in advance. Video recording is not allowed.

Can someone come with me?

Yes. A friend, family member, carer or support worker can be with you. They can't answer the questions for you, but they can help you explain how your condition affects you.

What's the most important thing to get across?

How you are on a bad day, and how often bad days happen. PIP is scored on whether you can do each activity reliably, safely, repeatedly and to an acceptable standard — so describe difficulty, pain, risk, and how long things take, not just whether you can do it at all.

What if I'm turned down after the assessment?

Ask for a Mandatory Reconsideration within one month, then appeal to an independent tribunal if needed. Most appeals that reach a tribunal succeed. Always request a copy of your assessment report.

WHILE YOU'RE HERE

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