PIP Review Assessment - How to Prepare

Not all PIP reviews require an assessment, but if you are invited for one (phone, video or face-to-face), preparation is key. The assessment covers the same 12 activities as a new claim. Here is how to prepare.

Will I Definitely Need an Assessment?

Not necessarily. Many reviews are decided on paper without an assessment, especially if your condition is stable or has clearly worsened and your evidence is strong. However, if the DWP wants more information, they will invite you for an assessment. Most review assessments in 2026 are conducted by phone.

How Is It Different from My First Assessment?

The questions are the same, but the assessor will also ask about changes since your last assessment. They may ask: "Has anything improved since we last assessed you?" and "Has anything got worse?" Be honest, but lead with what has NOT improved or what has deteriorated.

Key Preparation Steps

1. Re-read your original PIP2 form if you have a copy. The assessor may compare what you said then with what you say now. Be consistent about ongoing difficulties.

2. Note any changes since your last assessment: new conditions, new medications, worsened symptoms, new aids or equipment, increased help from others, stopped working, hospital admissions.

3. Prepare for each activity with notes about what you CANNOT do, what help you need and what happens on worst days. Have these in front of you during the call.

4. Get someone to sit with you during the assessment. They can add information, prompt you if you forget things and provide a witness account.

5. Record the assessment. You have the right to record it. Tell the assessor at the start. This protects you if the report does not match what you said.

Questions to Expect

For each of the 12 activities:

• "Can you [do this activity]?"
• "How do you manage this on a daily basis?"
• "Has this changed since your last assessment?"
• "What happens on a bad day?"
• "Does anyone help you with this? Who and how often?"
• "Do you use any aids or equipment?"

Critical Reminders

Describe your worst days. If you say "I can usually manage," the assessor writes that you can do it. Say "on most days I cannot do this because..."

Don't demonstrate ability. If the assessor asks "can you lift your arm?" don't push through the pain to show you can. If it hurts, say "I can force it but it causes significant pain and I would not be able to use the arm afterwards."

Mention medication side effects. Drowsiness, nausea, brain fog, dizziness from medication all affect your daily activities and should be described.

What the Review Assessor Is Really Looking For

A review assessor has access to your previous PA4 assessment report and your most recent decision. They are looking for three things:

• Has anything actually changed? If your condition is the same, the award should stay the same. If it has worsened, the award could go up. If it has improved, the award could go down.
• Was the previous assessment accurate? Some reviews effectively re-do the original assessment from scratch. If the original assessor missed key information, the review might score differently.
• Has anything not yet been documented? If you have developed new conditions, started new medications or experienced new symptoms, this is your opportunity to add them to the record.

Frame your answers around these three angles. "Nothing has improved. The fibromyalgia is the same. I have been newly diagnosed with anxiety and started sertraline. The original assessment did not capture the impact on my sleep, which I want to add now."

The Six Sentences You Must Avoid

These phrases regularly cost claimants points at review. Train yourself to replace them:

• "I'm fine, thanks" / "I'm OK" at the start of the call. The assessor notes social fluency. Be polite but not chatty. "Thanks for calling, I am ready to begin."
• "I cope" / "I manage" for any activity. Both get scored as "no help needed." Replace with "I cannot do this reliably without [aid/help/extra time]."
• "It depends on the day" without explaining. Replace with "On the majority of days I cannot do this. On the few good days I can do it slowly with help."
• "A little bit" / "sometimes" / "occasionally" - vague language. Replace with specific frequency: "3-4 days per week," "twice a week," "every day."
• "Same as last time" - dismissive and skipped over. Replace with a fresh description of current functioning.
• "I drove here" / "I came on my own" if you did. The report often uses this as evidence against your mobility claim. If a family member drove, say so. If you took public transport with assistance, say so.

What If My Condition Has Genuinely Improved?

Be honest. If you have had successful surgery, new effective medication or remission, say so. But:

• Describe what is STILL limiting (side effects, recovery from surgery, anxiety about relapse)
• Mention that improvement may not be sustained
• Note any new conditions that have appeared
• Remember that "improved" does not mean "cured" - if you still struggle, you may still qualify

Honest declarations of improvement are not penalised. Concealing improvement can be treated as fraud and lead to repayment demands.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I refuse a phone assessment and ask for face-to-face instead?

Yes. Phone assessments do not suit everyone - particularly people with hearing loss, communication impairment, autism, severe anxiety or cognitive difficulties. Call the number on your appointment letter and explain why phone is unsuitable. Face-to-face and home visits are both available as reasonable adjustments.

How long will the review assessment take?

Typically 45-90 minutes by phone. Face-to-face can take longer. The assessor will tell you at the start. You can ask for breaks at any time.

Do I need to bring or have the same evidence as my first claim?

Submit fresh evidence with your AR1/PIP2R form before the assessment. Letters from your GP, consultant, therapist or specialist nurse dated within the last 12 months are most valuable. The assessor will have your form and any evidence you submitted - have copies in front of you during the call.

Will the same assessor see me as last time?

Almost certainly not. Assessment providers rotate cases and there is no consistency between reviews. This is one reason awards can change at review even when the claimant is the same - different assessors weigh things differently.

What happens if my award is reduced after a review?

You have one calendar month from the decision letter to request a Mandatory Reconsideration. Request the PA4 assessment report immediately - it is essential evidence. If the MR is also unfavourable, you have one month to lodge a tribunal appeal. Around two thirds of appeals succeed (Source: HMCTS Tribunal Statistics).

Can I have my support worker or advocate on the call with me?

Yes. Tell the assessor at the start that someone is present. They can prompt you, speak on your behalf if you give permission and be a witness to what is said. Charities like Citizens Advice, Macmillan and the MS Society offer trained advocates.

Will the assessor make a decision at the end of the call?

No. The assessor writes a PA4 report, which is sent to the DWP decision-maker, who issues the decision. Total time from assessment to decision is typically 2-6 weeks.