An ex-DWP assessor has said there are some ways people are assessed for their benefits. A few people might get caught out by one of the simple tests that start the moment you enter the waiting room.
Jacqueline Gozzard handled thousands of Personal Independence Payment (PIP) assessments in her career. She told Dr Asif Ahmed that the in-person evaluation may start much earlier than claimants think, often from the moment they arrive at the centre.
One subtle assessment is the ‘chair test’, where the type of seat picked may reveal more than words about a person’s physical capabilities. According to Gozzard, assessors are trained to take note of whether the claimant chooses a chair with or without arms, both in the waiting room and again in the assessment office.
She said: “It starts right from when they walk through the door. There are chairs in that waiting room – some have arms on and some don’t.” Choosing a chair without arms may indicate to the assessor that the person does not have any issues with mobility or getting up from a seated position, she suggested.
Jacqueline pointed out: “If [the claimant] has walked past chairs with arms and gone to a chair without arms, then [the assessor] would deem that they haven’t got that much of a problem getting out of a chair because of that choice.”
The Mirror reports that a second opportunity comes when the claimant enters the office. Once again, the person seeking benefits is faced with a choice between a high-backed chair with arms and one without.
Assessors can use this to inform their evaluation of the claimant’s needs and abilities, Jacqueline said. She also revealed that PIP assessors have other subtle techniques used to understand potential claimants. She shared that during her career, she would ask if they found the centre easily or engage in casual conversations about their supermarket shopping habits to gauge their travel capabilities.
While it might seem underhanded, Jacqueline insists these questions can “go both ways.” In some instances, she suggested that these subtle methods could uncover areas where additional support is needed, which may not be identified or offered through a paper assessment or standard questionnaire.
How does the PIP scoring system work?
PIP utilises a points-based system for scoring. Points are allocated based on your ability to carry out daily living and mobility activities, with the number of points awarded reflecting the level of support or assistance you need.
To be eligible for either the standard or enhanced rate of PIP, you must accumulate a specific number of points within each component (daily living and mobility). The points (ranging from 0 to 12) are given depending on the level of support required to complete the activity.
As per the Benefits and Work Guide, you need to score between 8 and 11 points to qualify for the standard rate of either component. To be eligible for the enhanced rate of either component, you need to score 12 or more points.
What is the payment amount from PIP?
The amount of Personal Independence Payment (PIP) you receive is determined by how challenging you find daily activities and mobility tasks. As per GOV.UK, the rates as of April 2025 are:
- Daily living part: £73.90 (lower) £110.40 (higher)
- Mobility part: £29.20 (lower) £77.05 (higher)
The maximum weekly PIP in the UK for 2025 is £187.45 (£749.80 over four weeks). This is the total sum a claimant can receive if they qualify for both the daily living and mobility components at the enhanced rate.
PIP is tax-free and typically paid every four weeks. If your payment date falls on a bank holiday, you’ll usually be paid before the bank holiday. After that, your payments will continue as normal.
Who is eligible for PIP?
Personal Independence Payment (PIP) can assist with additional living costs if you have a long-term physical or mental health condition or disability that makes certain everyday tasks or getting around difficult due to your condition. The DWP has stated online that individuals can receive Personal Independence Payment (PIP) if they meet all four of the eligibility criteria:
You must also be below State Pension age if you’ve not received PIP before. If you’re above State Pension age, you can apply for Attendance Allowance instead.
If you reside in Scotland, you need to apply for Adult Disability Payment (ADP) instead. Find out how to claim if you live in Northern Ireland with NI Direct.
You can receive the non-means-tested fit at the same time as all other benefits, except Armed Forces Independence Payment. For more information and how to submit a claim, visit the GOV.UK website here.
