1. An introduction to Personal Independence Payment for support organisations

2. Aims and Objectives
Introduction to Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
Introduction to PIP Toolkit
Assessment Criteria
PIP Claim Form
PIP Toolkit – About PIP

3. PIP Toolkit - Quick Guide
Introduction to Personal Independence Payment
Personal Independence Payment (PIP) will replace Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for eligible claimants from 8 April 2013
DLA was introduced in 1992 and has not been reviewed since
Complex and confusing to claim
Little independent evidence/involvement
No systematic process to review whether an award remains correct
Financially unsustainable in the long term
Current benefit not in step with the needs of a 21st century welfare system
PIP Toolkit - Quick Guide

4. PIP Toolkit – Differences and Similarities
Similarities and Differences between DLA and PIP
Similarities
Differences
Extra-costs cash benefit
Not means-tested or taxable
Two components
Payable both in and out of work
Maintains links to passported benefits where possible
Special rules for terminally ill people
3 month qualifying period and 9 month prospective test
New assessment criteria
Individual assessment and face-to-face consultation
Planned interventions
Reconsiderations process
PIP Toolkit – Differences and Similarities

5. PIP Toolkit – Conditions of Entitlement
Components and Eligibility
PIP will be made up of two components – daily living and mobility
Each can be paid at standard rate, or enhanced rate for those with the greatest needs
The PIP assessment criteria will consider the individuals’ ability to carry out a range of everyday activities
Individuals will receive a point score for each activity, depending on how well they can carry them out and the help they need to do them
The total scores for each component determine whether a component is payable, and if so, whether at the standard or enhanced rate
Enhanced
Standard
Daily Living
Mobility
8 points
12 points
Not Entitled
PIP Toolkit – Conditions of Entitlement

6. Assessment Criteria PIP Toolkit – Assessment Criteria
Daily Living Components (activities 1-10)
Mobility Components (activities 11-12)
Standard rate = 8 points
Enhanced rate = 12 points
Standard rate = 8 points
Enhanced rate = 12 points
Activity
Preparing food
Taking Nutrition
Managing therapy or monitoring a health condition
Washing and bathing
Managing toilet needs or incontinence
Dressing and undressing
Communicating Verbally
Reading and understanding signs, symbols and words,
Engaging with other people face to face
Making budgeting decisions
Standard
0 - 8
0 - 10
0 - 12
0 - 6
Activity
11.Planning and following journeys
12 Moving around
Standard
0 - 12
PIP Toolkit – Assessment Criteria

7. Personal Independence Rates
Daily Living Component:
Standard Rate £53.00
Enhanced Rate £79.15
Mobility Component:
Standard Rate £21.00
Enhanced Rate £55.25

8. Assessment principles
Individual
Considers the impact of a condition, not the condition itself
Claimants with the same condition may get different outcomes
Objective
Based on independent evidence
Independent
Assessment providers are independent and provide impartial advice
Consistent
Criteria are more detailed and more clearly defined

9. WCA and PIP – they aren’t the same
Similarities with DLA
Differences
Points-based assessment
Face-to-face consultation main means of gathering evidence
Regular reviews
Method
WCA tests capability to work, PIP is about ability to carry out everyday activities
WCA is a functional assessment, PIP assessment focuses on support needed
Content and principle

10. Assessment criteria – the descriptors
Multiple descriptors for each activity describing varying ability to carry out the activity
Each descriptor has a point score
Cumulative scores determine entitlement to the rates and components of the benefit
Example: Activity 2 – Taking Nutrition A
Can take nutrition unaided. B
Needs –
i. to use an aid or appliance to be able to take nutrition; or
ii. supervision to be able to take nutrition; or
iii. assistance to be able to cut up food. 2 C
Needs a therapeutic source to be able to take nutrition. D
Needs prompting to be able to take nutrition. 4 E
Needs assistance to be able to manage a therapeutic source to take nutrition. 6 F
Cannot convey food and drink to their mouth and needs another person to do so. 10

11. Reliably
In order to satisfy a descriptor, the claimant must be able to carry out the activity as described in the descriptor reliably.
‘Reliably’ means whether they can do so:
Safely – in a fashion that is unlikely to cause harm to themselves or to another person.
To a necessary and appropriate standard – given the nature of the activity.
Repeatedly – as often as is reasonably required.
In a timely manner – in a reasonable time period.
This is not covered in Regulations, but will form an important part of the assessment. It will be in guidance for assessment providers and Case Managers.

12. Reliably - example
Using a walking stick a claimant can walk up to 50 metres. However after doing so they cannot repeat it again the same day.
You would reasonably expect someone to walk 50 metres more than once a day. Therefore the claimant does not reliably satisfy descriptor D.
The individual can walk shorter distances up to 20 metres and repeat them in the same day.
The individual therefore satisfies descriptor E.
Example – Activity 12 – Moving around A
Can stand and then move more than 200 metres. B
Can stand and then move more than 50 metres but no more than 200 metres. 4 C
Can stand and then move unaided more than 20 metres but no more than 50 metres. 8 D
Can stand and then move using an aid or appliance more than 20 metres but no more than 50 metres. 10 E
Can stand and then move more than 1 metres but no more than 20 metres. 12 F
Cannot –
stand; or
move at all; or
move more than 1 metre.

13. Fluctuating conditions
For a descriptor to apply, it must be satisfied on the majority of days (over 50% of days) in a one year period
If it is satisfied at any point on a given day, it is satisfied for that day
If two or more descriptors are satisfied for over 50% of days, the highest scoring descriptor applies.
E.g. if D applies on 100% of days and E on 70% of days, E is selected.
Example – Activity 4 – Washing and bathing A
Can wash and bathe. B
Needs to use an aid or appliance to be able to wash or bathe. 2 C
Needs supervision or prompting to be able to wash or bathe. D
Needs assistance to be able to wash either their hair or their body below the waist. E
Needs assistance to be able to get in or out of a bath or shower. 3 F
Needs assistance to be able to wash their body between the shoulders and waist. 4 G
Cannot wash and bathe at all and needs another person to wash their entire body. 8

14. Fluctuating conditions – cont.
Example – Activity 4 – Washing and bathing
If no scoring descriptors apply for the majority of the days, but, when taken together, two or more scoring descriptors are likely to be satisfied on more than 50% of days, the descriptor that applies for the highest proportion of time applies.
E.g. if B applies on 20% of days, D on 30% of days and E on 5% of days, D is selected A
Can wash and bathe. B
Needs to use an aid or appliance to be able to wash or bathe. 2 C
Needs supervision or prompting to be able to wash or bathe. D
Needs assistance to be able to wash either their hair or their body below the waist. E
Needs assistance to be able to get in or out of a bath or shower. 3 F
Needs assistance to be able to wash their body between the shoulders and waist. 4 G
Cannot wash and bathe at all and needs another person to wash their entire body. 8

15. Aids and appliances
Assessment takes account of aids and appliances that individuals use, or could reasonably be expected to use
Definition is no longer limited to specialist aids and appliances.
Where individuals use aids and appliances that are not specially designed to assist disabled people, they must be out of necessity, not choice.
E.g.
If a claimant is reliant on a food processor because they are unable to chop food due to their disability, the points will be awarded.
If a claimant could chop food but chooses to use a food processor, no points will be awarded.

16. Assessment process

17. Health Professional & Case Manager roles
Assessment providers advise, DWP Decision Makers make the decisions
Health professionals provide an assessment report which will
List the sources of evidence
Summarise the discussion (if a face-to-face consultation) covering history, medication and treatment, social and occupational history, a typical day etc.
Detail examination findings, if appropriate
Advise on descriptors and prognosis
Justify the advice
DM’s should
Consider the assessment report and all evidence
Is the HP’s advice consistent with all the evidence?
Are all issues addressed?
Do they have the information they need to make and explain the decision?
If not – refer back to the AP

18. PIP Toolkit – Assessment Process and Providers
The new assessment
The PIP assessment will involve health professionals who consider the evidence provided by the claimant, along with any further evidence they think is needed
The health professionals will be employed by independent providers
People will be assessed as individuals, and the focus is on the impact their condition has on their daily lives and over a range of different activities
Most people will be asked to a face-to-face consultation with a health professional as part of the assessment process - claimants will be encouraged to take somebody with them to the consultation
Home visits will be available when necessary
Face-to-face consultations may not be necessary for everyone – for example, those who are terminally ill may not have to have them
The assessment provider will send a report back to the DWP Case Manager to make a decision
PIP Toolkit – Assessment Process and Providers

19. The Assessment Providers
PIP Toolkit – Assessment Process and Providers

20. Passporting to other benefits and services
Many DLA claimants are receiving other benefits, such as ESA
Most DLA claimants receiving Incapacity Benefit will have already been reassessed for Employment and Support Allowance by the time they need to make a claim to PIP
Claimants receiving DLA or PIP won’t be migrated to Universal Credit until later in the UC rollout
Households where someone is in receipt of DLA/PIP are exempt from the new Benefit Cap
Most existing passporting arrangements have been maintained for PIP
receipt of the Daily Living component (either rate) means that their carer may be entitled to Carer’s Allowance
Motability scheme will work with PIP in the same way as it does with DLA
Changes in entitlement may affect other benefits or support that the claimant or carer receives
PIP Toolkit – Passporting

21. PIP Toolkit – Implementing PIP
Introducing PIP for new claimants from April 2013
Reassessing existing DLA claimants from October 2013
PIP Checker:
Use this tool to check:
if PIP affects you
when your Disability Living Allowance may be affected
when you can make a new claim for PIP
PIP Toolkit – Implementing PIP

22. Starting a Claim for PIP
To start a claim for PIP telephone DWP on:
Textphone –
These numbers will be available from 8th April Lines will be open fro 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday
The phone call can also be made by someone supporting the claimant – the claimant will need to be present and give consent
DWP will provide interpreters through Big Word – Language Line - for those whose first language is not English

23. New Claims start in April 2013
New claims to PIP will be taken including from people living in Cheshire, Cumbria, Merseyside, North East England and North West England
June
2013
New claims national rollout
PIP Toolkit – Introducing PIP for new claimants

24. Reassessment starts in October 2013
From this date, DWP will start to invite some existing DLA recipients to claim PIP. DWP will write to those individuals who
are reaching the end of a fixed period DLA award
are about to turn 16
inviting them to claim PIP
Those existing DLA claimants who report a change in their condition will be invited to claim PIP
DLA recipients who contact DWP wishing to claim PIP will be able to do so (self selectors)
From this date, DWP will start to reassess remaining DLA claimants who were aged between 16 and 64 on the day that PIP was introduced (8 April 2013)
Once selected for reassessment, claimants will be asked to claim PIP.
If they do, then their DLA award will normally continue until a decision on the PIP claim is made.
If they don’t claim PIP then their DLA claim will end.
October
2013
October
2015
PIP Toolkit – Reassessing existing DLA claimants

25. PIP Toolkit – Claimant Journey
The claimant journey There are five key stages to claiming
Thinking about claiming
Information about PIP will be available from a range of sources, including online, via leaflets and through support organisations.
Existing DLA claimants will be contacted individually to ask if they want to claim PIP. 1
Making a claim
Claimants (or those supporting them) phone DWP to make a claim to PIP. Paper claims won’t normally be used, and online claims will not be available before 2014.
DWP will send claimants a form where they can explain how their disability affects them. 2
How your disability affects you
Claimant completes the ‘How your disability affects you’ form to explain how their condition affects their daily life, both on good and bad days and over a range of activities.
Supporting evidence can be sent with this form, which they return to DWP by post. 3
Assessment
Claim details, form and supporting evidence are passed to the health professional.
Most people will be asked to attend a face to face consultation The health professional reviews the claim against a set of clear descriptors to assess the challenges faced by the individual. 4 5
Decision
A DWP Case Manager will use all the information in the claim form, from the health professional and anything else that has been provided. They will make a reasoned decision on entitlement, including the level and length of award.
PIP Toolkit – Claimant Journey

26. 1 Thinking about claiming New Claims Existing DLA claimants
Information is available that explains the eligibility criteria and helps the claimant decide if they want to make a claim.
Family & Friends
Online
Support
Organisations
GPs and Healthcare Professionals
Leaflets
DWP
Existing DLA claimants
From October 2015 all the remaining claimants in receipt of a DLA award will be invited to make a claim to PIP. We will select those recipients of DLA in receipt of an indefinite award or fixed term award, and notify them about what they need to do to claim PIP.
If they choose not to claim PIP then their DLA would end.
From October 2013 there will be reassessment to PIP of fixed period DLA awards coming up for renewal, young people turning 16 or where DLA claimants with indefinite awards report a change in their condition
Existing DLA claimants will be asked at some point after October 2013 if they want to claim PIP.

27. PIP Toolkit – How to Claim2
Making a claim
Claims are made via a telephone call (0800) to DWP
DWP will identify communication needs (such as alternative formats) and consider if the claimant needs additional support
The initial information required to make a claim to PIP will be basic information covering:
DWP will explain what happens next
The claimant’s personal and contact details
Residency details (known as residency and presence)
Relevant periods spent in hospital, residential care
Claims under special rules for terminally ill people, and
Payment (bank account) details
DWP checks basic eligibility conditions – if not met then a disallowance letter will be issued
A form is posted to the claimant. It is individually addressed and barcoded to speed up processing
PIP Toolkit – How to Claim

28. PIP Toolkit – Completing the form3
How your disability affects you
The form allows the claimant to explain how their condition affects them in their own words
Some disabled people have fluctuating conditions, that affect them in different ways on ‘good and bad’ days, so they can use the form to explain this
Claimants may ask someone, such as a family member or support organisation to help them complete the form
Any additional evidence that may help support the claim can be returned with this form
The form and any supporting evidence is returned to DWP
in a freepost envelope
PIP Toolkit – Completing the form

29. PIP Toolkit – Assessment Process and Providers4
Assessment
The claim information, completed form and any additional evidence is passed over to the health professional
They will decide if there is a need for any further evidence and will make all the arrangements to get this
Some assessments may be completed at this stage– such as if someone is claiming under the special rules for the terminally ill or where the written evidence is sufficient
Most will be asked to attend a face-to-face consultation
PIP Toolkit – Assessment Process and Providers

30. 4 Assessment Face-to-face consultation required
Face-to-face consultation not required
Claimant will be contacted to invite them to a face-to-face consultation
Claimants can contact the health professional to ask questions about the consultation or rearrange appointments
Claimant attends face-to-face consultation with health professional
The health professional reviews all the evidence against a set of everyday activities and clear descriptors to assess the challenges faced by the individual
The health professional will ask the claimant to explain how their condition affects them on a day to day basis. The claimant may also be able to provide additional evidence
The health professional sends a report back to the DWP to help inform their decision

31. PIP Toolkit – Decision and Payment5
Decision
The DWP Case Manager reviews the evidence they’ve received – including
the report from the health professional
They make a reasoned decision on entitlement, level of award and the length of any award
Claimants can call DWP to ask for more information about the decision
A decision letter is posted to the claimant
If a claim has been disallowed, or an existing award reduced, then the
Case Manager will try to call the claimant to explain the decision
PIP Toolkit – Decision and Payment

32. Additional Information
Special Rules for Terminally Ill People
Reviewing Awards
Disputes
Where to find more information about PIP
PIP Toolkit list of contents

33. Special Rules for Terminally Ill People
Claims for those who are found to meet the Special Rules for terminally ill people criteria
will be dealt with more quickly than normal claims
are guaranteed an award of the enhanced rate of the daily living component of PIP without having to wait until they satisfy the qualifying period or prospective test
Both the daily living component and, providing the conditions are met, the mobility component will be paid straight away
The claimant will not be sent the form ‘How your disability affects you’
they will be asked some extra questions whilst they are on the phone about their condition and how it affects their ability to get around
PIP Toolkit – Special Rules

34. PIP Toolkit – Reviewing Awards
Awards of PIP will be based upon the claimant’s circumstances and will look at the impact of their disability or health condition on their daily lives
If someone is awarded PIP we will tell them how long the award is for
We will write to them to tell them how and when they need to tell us about any change in circumstances
Claimants will have their award regularly reviewed
When someone’s award comes to an end, they can decide to make a further claim to PIP, if they still have needs arising from their health condition or disability.
If someone is given a longer award we will contact them occasionally to see if their needs have changed over time.
PIP Toolkit – Reviewing Awards

35. Disputes
The change to the appeals process for DWP consists of the following key elements
mandatory reconsideration of decisions prior to appeal
direct lodgement of appeals with HMCTS
time limits for DWP to return appeal responses to HMCTS.
DWP will introduce mandatory reconsideration and direct lodgement for PIP from April 2013.
PIP Toolkit – Disputes

36. Where to find more information
Information for support organisations and advisers is online at The site includes a quick guide to PIP for advisers, an overview of the claimant journey and frequently asked questions.
We’ll also include the latest news in the monthly Touchbase bulletin – sign up at the DWP website
Information aimed at claimants is available at Please signpost to these pages from your own sites or materials.
Updated leaflets will be available too – generic information in existing leaflets from the Autumn, and PIP specific leaflet from early next year.
Talk to your local DWP Partner Manager

37. PIP Toolkit list of contents
Core Products
Fact sheets
Introduction to PIP Toolkit
Quick Guide
PIP Timeline
Claimant Journey
External PIP white brand presentation and speaker notes
Sample forms and notifications
Leaflets
PIP Communications Products and Timeline
Sample Assessment Provider notifications
Conditions of Entitlement
Assessment Criteria
The difference between PIP and DLA
Introducing PIP for new claimants (from April 2013)
Reassessing existing DLA claimants for PIP (from Oct 2013)
How to Claim PIP
Completing the How your disability affects you form
Assessment Process
Decision and Payment
Reviewing Awards
Special Rules for Terminally Ill People
Young People approaching age 16
People approaching age 65 and over
Passporting to other benefits
Vulnerable Claimants (includes signposting)
Disputes Process
Key
Black – Version 1 January 13
Red – Version 2 post January 13
Green – currently available on line

39. All about Personal Independence Payment
Toolkit for support organisations and advisers
All about Personal Independence Payment
[intro]
Content
>> Quick guide to PIP (pdf)
>> Conditions of Entitlement (pdf)
>> Assessment Criteria (pdf)
>> Differences and Similarities between PIP and DLA (pdf)
>> Passporting (pdf)

40. Implementing Personal Independence Payment
Toolkit for support organisations and advisers
Implementing Personal Independence Payment
[intro]
Content
>> PIP Timetable (pdf) >> Introducing PIP for new claimants from April (pdf)
>> Reassessing existing DLA claimants for PIP from October (pdf)
>> PIP calculator (pdf)
>> When DWP forms and leaflets will be available

41. Personal Independence Payment Claimant Journey
Toolkit for support organisations and advisers
Personal Independence Payment Claimant Journey
[intro]
Content
>> Claimant journey outline (pdf)
>> How to Claim PIP (pdf)
>> How to fill in the form ‘How your disability affects you’ (pdf)
>>Assessment Process and Providers (pdf)
>> Decision and Payment (pdf)
>> Reviewing PIP awards (pdf)

43. Personal Independence Payment Specific Circumstances
Toolkit for support organisations and advisers
Personal Independence Payment
Specific Circumstances
[intro]
Content
>> Special Rules for Terminally Ill People (pdf)
>> Supporting young people (pdf)
>> People approaching 65 (pdf)
>> Supporting people in vulnerable situations (pdf)
>> Disputes (pdf)

46. Personal Independence Payment tools for you to use
Toolkit for support organisations and advisers
Personal Independence Payment tools for you to use
[Intro text]
Editorial
>> Introduction text – under 100 words (on page content)
>> Short text – under 250 words (on page content)
>> Medium text – about 600 words (on page content)
>> Long text – about 1000 words (on page content)
Presentations
>> An introduction to PIP for support organisations and advisers (PowerPoint)
Printable material
>> Information posters (PowerPoint)
>> A quick guide to PIP for support organisations and advisers (pdf)
>> A quick guide to PIP for Local Authorities (pdf)