How Much Discetion Do The PIP Assessors Have?

My wife was awarded DLA high rate mobility & lower rate care in July 2013 after a home visit assessment by an ATOS doctor who said to me as he left the house, "you've got a major problem with both her mobility & confusion".

In Oct 2014 she received her PIP claim form.

After a home visit by a DWP officer I was granted the "appointment to act" facility so that I deal with all her PIP correspondence & will be with her when she gets her home visit in a couple of weeks.

After reading through a number of posts it seems that the assessor can make their own decision as what a person can or cannot do which is at odds with what the person says they can or cannot do.

My wife's main problem is caused by her depression & anxiety plus mobility problems & confusion which appeared after a severe blow to her head when she missed the bottom step of our stairs although the hospital MRI scan didn't show any damage.

So, for example, could the assessor say she's capable of cooking a meal if she tried when in fact she just wouldn't bother to cook?

caravanj wrote: My wife was awarded DLA high rate mobility & lower rate care in July 2013 after a home visit assessment by an ATOS doctor who said to me as he left the house, "you've got a major problem with both her mobility & confusion".

In Oct 2014 she received her PIP claim form.

After a home visit by a DWP officer I was granted the "appointment to act" facility so that I deal with all her PIP correspondence & will be with her when she gets her home visit in a couple of weeks.

After reading through a number of posts it seems that the assessor can make their own decision as what a person can or cannot do which is at odds with what the person says they can or cannot do.

My wife's main problem is caused by her depression & anxiety plus mobility problems & confusion which appeared after a severe blow to her head when she missed the bottom step of our stairs although the hospital MRI scan didn't show any damage.

So, for example, could the assessor say she's capable of cooking a meal if she tried when in fact she just wouldn't bother to cook?

Hi cj,

Welcome to Benefits and Work

The PIP Assessor is allowed to make observations and assumptions.

Said assumptions may well be contradictory to the stated limitations of the claimant.

However, they would have to justify such assumptions if they where highly contradictory to all/any of the paper evidence provided.

If you haven't already done so, I would have a read through our : PIP Claims Guide. (2nd Link on page)

You can read what to expect at the assessment from Page 64 onwards.

The latest edition of guidance given to PIP Assessors can be found : Here.

It will be The DWP PIP Decision Maker ( Case Manager) that make the final decision.

The DM should take into account The PIP 2 Form, The PIP Assessors Med Report recommendations and all other evidence that they have at their disposal when making the decision.

Remember, you should make it clear why she "cannot" cook a meal rather than stating that she chooses not to, or "just wouldn't bother to cook".

Concentrate on making it clear what she "cannot" do, rather than what she chooses not to do, giving reasons.

bro58

Thanks for your reply. I downloaded the PIP Guide today but I was interested more in what forum members have experienced as opposed to what the assessors are supposed to do, if that makes sense.

My wife, for eaxample, doesn't choose not to cook, it's partly due to the effect that her depression & anxiety has on her motivation & lack of motivation is one of the DWP's own listed reasons for a person not being able to dp something & partly due to the fact that I doubbt she'd be safe to be let loose in a kitchen.

I'll get back to the forum after her assessment & let you know what the result was.