What You Need to Know (Without the Panic)
Over the past few days, we’ve seen a growing wave of anxiety online around Personal Independence Payment (PIP).
Comments like “everyone is going to lose PIP now” or “the wrong company is doing assessments” are understandably frightening — especially for disabled people and SEND families who already feel under constant pressure.
So let’s slow this down and look at what’s actually true, what isn’t, and what really protects you.
First: Assessment Companies Do NOT Decide Your PIP Award
This is the most important thing to understand.
Assessment providers (such as Serco, Capita, IAS, Maximus, etc.) do not decide whether you get PIP.
Their role is to:
- Carry out the assessment
- Write a report
- Make recommendations
The final decision is made by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) — not the assessment company.
That distinction matters.
A New Provider Does NOT Mean the Rules Have Changed
When a new company takes over assessments, it does not change:
- PIP law
- PIP criteria
- Entitlement rules
- Your legal rights
The same legislation applies regardless of who conducts the assessment.
What does change sometimes is how assessments are delivered, which can affect people’s experiences — but not the underlying legal framework.
Why People Do Lose PIP (And It’s Not Usually the Provider)
Most PIP decisions — especially removals at review — happen because of:
- Lack of supporting evidence
- Inconsistent answers
- Focusing on “coping days” instead of worst days
- Not clearly explaining risk, repetition, reliability, or safety
- Assessment reports missing or misrepresenting key details
This is why so many people successfully challenge decisions at Mandatory Reconsideration or Tribunal.
The issue isn’t usually who assessed — it’s how the impact was evidenced.
What PIP Is ACTUALLY Assessing
PIP is not about:
❌ Diagnoses
❌ How hard you try
❌ How independent you look
PIP is about function:
- What you can do
- What you can’t do
- What causes distress, harm, exhaustion, shutdown, or risk
And crucially — whether you can do tasks:
- Safely
- Repeatedly
- Reliably
- In a reasonable time
If you can’t meet those standards, the law says it counts as not being able to do it.
How to Protect Yourself at Review or Assessment
If you’re worried about reassessment, these steps matter more than anything else:
1. Evidence Everything
Letters from:
- GP
- Consultant
- OT
- CAMHS
- SEN professionals
- Support workers
Even personal statements or diaries can help.
2. Talk About Your Worst Days
PIP is not assessed on your best day.
If you fluctuate, explain:
- How often bad days happen
- What happens on them
- What support you need then
3. Be Consistent (Not Optimistic)
Many people lose points because they:
- Minimise difficulties
- Say “I manage” instead of explaining the cost
- Mask during assessments
You don’t need to exaggerate — but you do need to be honest.
4. Challenge Wrong Decisions
A refusal or reduction is not the end.
Many people win at:
- Mandatory Reconsideration
- Tribunal
Appeals exist because the system gets things wrong — often.
Fear Spreads Fast. Knowledge Protects People.
It’s completely valid to feel anxious — especially if you’ve had a bad assessment before.
But panic helps nobody.
What does help is:
- Understanding your rights
- Knowing how PIP really works
- Preparing properly
- Challenging unfair decisions
That’s why AskEllie exists — to give clarity in a system that often relies on confusion.
Need More Help?
We’ll continue breaking down:
- PIP reviews
- Assessments
- Evidence wording
- Appeals
- Disabled rights
So families don’t feel alone or powerless.
You’re not failing.
You’re navigating a system that was never designed to be easy.
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