PIP Assessment Questions and Answers - What They Ask in 2026

The PIP assessment is the part of the process that most people dread. Whether it's by phone (most common in 2026), video, or face-to-face, knowing what questions they'll ask - and how to answer them - can make the difference between getting PIP and being refused.

How the PIP Assessment Works

Your assessment is carried out by a health professional (usually a nurse, physiotherapist, or occupational therapist) who works for one of four providers: Atos, Capita, Maximus, or Serco. They are not DWP staff - they're supposed to be independent. The assessment lasts 45-90 minutes and covers all 12 PIP activities.

Important change for 2026: Face-to-face assessments are increasing from 6% to 30% from April 2026. You're now more likely to be assessed in person than at any time in recent years.

What Questions Do They Ask?

The assessor works through the 12 PIP activities. For each one, they'll ask variations of the same core questions. Here are the types of questions you can expect:

Daily Living Questions

Preparing food: "Can you prepare a simple meal from scratch?" "What happens when you try to cook?" "Do you need someone with you in the kitchen?" The assessor is looking at whether you can safely peel, chop, and cook using a hob or microwave.

Eating and drinking: "Do you need reminding to eat?" "Can you cut up your food?" "Do you ever miss meals?" This isn't about cooking - it's about the physical act of eating.

Managing treatments: "What medication do you take?" "Do you need reminders?" "Do you have any therapies at home?" They're calculating how much time per week you spend on health-related management.

Washing and bathing: "Can you get in and out of the bath or shower?" "Can you wash your whole body?" "Do you need any aids?" They'll ask about frequency - how often you actually wash versus how often you should.

Toilet needs: "Do you have any continence issues?" "Do you need help getting on or off the toilet?" "Can you clean yourself afterwards?" This is sensitive but important - many people lose points by being too embarrassed to describe the reality.

Dressing: "Can you put on and take off all your clothes?" "What about socks, shoes, and fastenings?" "Do you need someone to choose your clothes?"

Communication and Cognition Questions

Communicating: "Can you follow a conversation?" "Do you struggle to find words?" "Can you use the telephone?"

Reading: "Can you read a letter from the council?" "Can you understand road signs?" "Do you need someone to explain written information?"

Mixing with people: "How do you cope in social situations?" "Do you feel anxious around people?" "Have you ever become aggressive or distressed?" This is a key activity for mental health conditions.

Managing money: "Can you work out change in a shop?" "Do you manage your own bills?" "Has anyone had to take over your finances?"

Mobility Questions

Planning journeys: "Can you plan a route somewhere new?" "Do you need someone with you when you go out?" "Does anxiety stop you leaving the house?"

Moving around: "How far can you walk before you need to stop?" "Do you use any walking aids?" "How long does it take you?" They may ask you to walk during a face-to-face assessment.

The Questions Behind the Questions

The assessor isn't just making conversation. Every question maps to a specific PIP descriptor worth a certain number of points. When they ask "Can you prepare a simple meal?", they're deciding between descriptors ranging from 0 points (you can do it unaided) to 8 points (you cannot prepare food at all).

This is why your answers need to be specific. "I manage" or "I'm okay most of the time" gives the assessor no evidence to award points. Instead, describe exactly what happens, how often, and what help you need.

How to Answer PIP Assessment Questions

For every question, try to include these four elements:

1. What the difficulty is - be specific about what you physically or mentally cannot do
2. How often it happens - "on 5 out of 7 days" is much stronger than "sometimes"
3. What the consequence is - pain, risk of harm, exhaustion, distress
4. What help you need - supervision, prompting, physical assistance, or an aid

Phone Assessment Tips

Most PIP assessments in 2026 are still conducted by phone. Specific tips for phone assessments:

• Have your PIP2 form in front of you. Your answers should be consistent with what you wrote.
• Have notes prepared. Write bullet points for each activity so you don't forget anything.
• It's okay to pause. If you need to think, say so. If you need a break, ask for one.
• The assessor is listening to more than your words. Breathlessness, pauses, confusion, and emotional distress are all noted.
• Don't fill silences. Answer the question asked, then stop. Don't volunteer extra information that might undermine your claim.
• Describe your worst days, not your best. If today is a good day, say so: "Today is better than most. On a typical day, I would not be able to..."

Face-to-Face Assessment Tips (New for 2026)

With face-to-face assessments increasing to 30%, more people will be assessed in person. Be aware:

• Observation starts when you arrive. The assessor may note how you walked in, which chair you chose, whether you made eye contact, and how you sat.
• Bring someone with you. A friend, family member, or support worker can prompt you if you forget something and provide their own observations about your daily needs.
• Don't "perform" for the assessor. Don't try to look worse than you are, but equally don't put on a brave face. Just be yourself on a typical day.
• Ask for adjustments. If you need breaks, a quiet room, extra time, or any other adjustment, ask before or at the start of the assessment.

After the Assessment

The assessor writes a report recommending how many points you should score. The DWP then makes the final decision - they don't have to follow the assessor's recommendation, though they usually do. You'll receive your decision letter within a few weeks.

If you disagree with the decision, you can request a copy of the assessment report to see exactly what the assessor wrote. This is crucial if you want to challenge the decision through mandatory reconsideration or appeal.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I record my PIP assessment?

Yes. You have the right to audio-record any PIP assessment (phone, video, or face-to-face). You must tell the assessor at the start that you're recording. For phone assessments, you can use a recording app. For face-to-face, you need to provide your own equipment. Recording your assessment can be extremely useful if you later need to challenge the report.

What if the assessor writes things that aren't true?

Unfortunately, inaccurate assessment reports are common. If you disagree with what the report says, you can challenge it through mandatory reconsideration. Quote specific paragraphs you disagree with and explain why they're wrong, with supporting evidence.

Can I have someone with me during a phone assessment?

Yes. Let the assessor know at the start that someone else is present. They can prompt you, remind you of things you've forgotten, and add their own observations about your daily needs.