PIP Assessment

This is worth looking at to understand how the points are allocated.

https://www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/personal-independence-payment-pip/pip-points-system

This is also a very useful link - https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/personal-independence-payment-assessment-guide-for-assessment-providers/pip-assessment-guide-part-2-the-assessment-criteria

They provide excellent descriptions, that give a good insight into the assessment criteria. For example, if you look at their example description below you can see why the person who can make a sandwich was given 0 points as they had enough patience to carry out the task from start to finish, plus they were able to do this safely (they didn't cut themselves with the knives). They are also able to carry out this task repeatedly. If they're able to open packets and use the ingredients to prepare a sandwich, plus they have the skill level to use knifes, it could be assumed that they will be able to learn how to use a simple microwave (mine's operated by one knob) to create a meal, such as jacket potatoes and beans.

2.2.28 Ms Z can prepare and cook a simple meal. However, she lacks a perception of danger and occasionally cuts herself from mishandling knives or burns herself on hot pans. She is also impatient and does not cook food for as long as it should be cooked, as a result she prepares food that is lukewarm and meat that is not cooked properly – for example, chicken that is pink in the middle. Her sister usually has to be in the kitchen when she is cooking meals to make sure she does so safely and to remind her to leave food to cook fully. 

• safely – Ms Z lacks a perception of danger and has previously cut and burnt herself. The HP should therefore conclude that descriptor A is not suitable for Ms Z as she cannot do so safely. Descriptor B, descriptor C and descriptor D are also not suitable as they do not remove the potential danger from using knives and hot pans. Descriptor E reflects the support that Ms Z needs in order to ensure her safety while cooking and is therefore the most suitable descriptor regarding safety

• to an acceptable standard – Ms Z is impatient and does not cook food for as long as it should be cooked. As a result the food is lukewarm and meat is not cooked through. The HP must consider whether that is an acceptable standard and in this case would conclude it is not. The HP should therefore conclude that descriptor A is not suitable because Ms Z is unable to do so to an acceptable standard. Descriptor B and descriptor C are also not suitable as they do not help Ms Z to complete the task to an acceptable standard. Descriptor D best describes how Ms Z is able to cook a meal to an acceptable standard and is therefore the most suitable descriptor regarding the standard

• repeatedly – this is satisfied as Ms Z is able to cook all of her meals

• in a reasonable time period – this is satisfied as Ms Z has not indicated it takes her an overly long time to cook her meals

2.2.30 In this case there are 2 possible descriptors – D and E. For a descriptor to apply, all aspects of reliability must be satisfied. As descriptor D does not describe a manner in which Ms Z is able to carry out the activity safely, the HP should select descriptor E.

This is also a very useful link - https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/personal-independence-payment-assessment-guide-for-assessment-providers/pip-assessment-guide-part-2-the-assessment-criteria

They provide excellent descriptions, that give a good insight into the assessment criteria. For example, if you look at their example description below you can see why the person who can make a sandwich was given 0 points as they had enough patience to carry out the task from start to finish, plus they were able to do this safely (they didn't cut themselves with the knives). They are also able to carry out this task repeatedly. If they're able to open packets and use the ingredients to prepare a sandwich, plus they have the skill level to use knifes, it could be assumed that they will be able to learn how to use a simple microwave (mine's operated by one knob) to create a meal, such as jacket potatoes and beans.

2.2.28 Ms Z can prepare and cook a simple meal. However, she lacks a perception of danger and occasionally cuts herself from mishandling knives or burns herself on hot pans. She is also impatient and does not cook food for as long as it should be cooked, as a result she prepares food that is lukewarm and meat that is not cooked properly – for example, chicken that is pink in the middle. Her sister usually has to be in the kitchen when she is cooking meals to make sure she does so safely and to remind her to leave food to cook fully. 

• safely – Ms Z lacks a perception of danger and has previously cut and burnt herself. The HP should therefore conclude that descriptor A is not suitable for Ms Z as she cannot do so safely. Descriptor B, descriptor C and descriptor D are also not suitable as they do not remove the potential danger from using knives and hot pans. Descriptor E reflects the support that Ms Z needs in order to ensure her safety while cooking and is therefore the most suitable descriptor regarding safety

• to an acceptable standard – Ms Z is impatient and does not cook food for as long as it should be cooked. As a result the food is lukewarm and meat is not cooked through. The HP must consider whether that is an acceptable standard and in this case would conclude it is not. The HP should therefore conclude that descriptor A is not suitable because Ms Z is unable to do so to an acceptable standard. Descriptor B and descriptor C are also not suitable as they do not help Ms Z to complete the task to an acceptable standard. Descriptor D best describes how Ms Z is able to cook a meal to an acceptable standard and is therefore the most suitable descriptor regarding the standard

• repeatedly – this is satisfied as Ms Z is able to cook all of her meals

• in a reasonable time period – this is satisfied as Ms Z has not indicated it takes her an overly long time to cook her meals

2.2.30 In this case there are 2 possible descriptors – D and E. For a descriptor to apply, all aspects of reliability must be satisfied. As descriptor D does not describe a manner in which Ms Z is able to carry out the activity safely, the HP should select descriptor E.