PIP applicant lifts lid on DWP assessment questions - from personal hygiene to reading skills

The potential claimant said a "friendly enough" nurse had asked "a ton of questions"

A Personal Independence Payment (PIP) applicant has lifted the lid on what they were quizzed on during their telephone assessment. They said a "friendly enough" nurse had asked "a ton of questions" on behalf of the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), which covered a range of topics, including personal hygiene and reading.

The potential claimant decided to share their experience on Reddit, in the hope it would "help others". They said the call had lasted "just over an hour", but they'd felt it was "a bit rushed towards the end".

They said having notes in front of them proved to be "a god send" but added: "I was stuttering a lot, which is probably nerves and knowing you’re being assessed."

READ MORE: Universal Credit claimant 'felt ill' and 'questioned every penny spent' ahead of review

In addition to talking about life before their disability, the assessor also asked how they washed, how often, and how they felt afterwards. In regards to reading, they were asked if they could, how well, and if it was easier with larger text.

With regards to getting around, they were asked how far they could walk, if they could drive, how often they did, and if they were able to use public transport. The poster said they'd also been asked if they cleaned their house and how they felt talking to unfamiliar people, and if it was easier when a family member was present.

"It felt a bit rushed towards the end," they said. "The assessor would move on and I’d have to interrupt to add more details about my response. I don’t have much faith that I will get anything (I’m quite a negative person anyway).

"The assessor said she couldn’t tell me if I would get anything, as they aren’t allowed, that is for DWP to decided; which I know, I just wanted to see if she would tell me her recommendation or not."

PIP was a benefit intended to help with extra living costs for people who have a long-term physical or mental health condition or disability, and have difficulty doing certain everyday tasks or getting around because of their condition.

The DWP said the assessment would look at how difficult applicants found daily living and mobility tasks. It said for each task, it would look at:

• Whether the applicant could do it safely
• How long it took them
• How often their condition affects the activity
• Whether they needed help to do it, either from a person or by using extra equipment