The PIP Reliability Test and How It Decides Your Points

The DWP assessment guide says that for a descriptor to be able to apply to a claimant, the claimant must be able to reliably complete the activity as described in the descriptor, and that this applies to every activity within the assessment. Regulation 4(2A) of the Social Security (Personal Independence Payment) Regulations 2013 says you are assessed as satisfying a descriptor only if you can do the activity:

• ✓Yes: Safely
• ✓Yes: To an acceptable standard
• ✓Yes: Repeatedly
• ✓Yes: Within a reasonable time period

If you cannot reliably complete an activity in the way described in a descriptor, you should be considered unable to complete it at that level and an alternative descriptor selected. For example, when a claimant is only able to complete an activity safely when supervised, the appropriate descriptor which refers to supervision should be awarded.

Regulation 4(4) defines safely, repeatedly and reasonable time period. The fourth term, to an acceptable standard, is not defined in legislation, which means it should have its ordinary meaning.

1. Safely

Safely means in a manner unlikely to cause harm to you or to another person, either during or after completion of the activity. The DWP guide says that to decide whether an activity can be done safely it is necessary to consider the likelihood of harm occurring and the severity of the harm that might occur. The risk of harm also has to be higher than for a non-disabled person doing the same activity, and even if the impact of the risk is significant there must still be a real possibility that it will occur. Harm includes damage to your health but does not include damage to property. The guide's examples include burning or scalding yourself if you are likely to drop a saucepan or spill the contents, and falling or slipping which causes injury to you.

2. To an acceptable standard

When considering acceptability there is a range, from what is not perfect but is sufficient at one end to an extremely high standard at the top end. To be acceptable, the standard you achieve must fall within this range. Damage to property may be relevant to whether an activity can be completed to an acceptable standard or repeatedly.

3. Repeatedly

Repeatedly means as often as the activity being assessed is reasonably required to be completed. The DWP guide says how often a claimant needs to complete each activity is not specified, and that in most cases the norm should be used as a benchmark when considering whether the claimant can complete the activity repeatedly. Where completing the activity means you are unable to repeat it within a period when you could reasonably be expected to do so, you are likely to be considered as not completing the activity repeatedly. The guide's example is an individual who can prepare their breakfast, but the exertion of doing so leaves them exhausted and they are unable to prepare their lunch as a result.

Symptoms such as pain, fatigue and breathlessness should be considered when determining whether an activity can be carried out repeatedly. When considering repeatability over longer periods of days and weeks, the rules governing fluctuating conditions in regulation 7 apply, and the descriptor that applies on the majority of days in that period is considered.

4. Within a reasonable time period

A reasonable time period means no more than twice as long as the maximum period that a person without a physical or mental condition which limits their ability to carry out the activity would normally take to complete it. The DWP guide gives examples where an individual may be considered unable to complete a descriptor in a reasonable time period: an individual who becomes breathless and exhausted whilst washing and dressing and needs 2 hours to complete these tasks, and an individual who is physically capable of preparing a meal but whose need for formalised ritual means they take all morning to prepare breakfast.

Regulation 4(2A) says you are assessed as satisfying a descriptor only if you can do the activity safely, to an acceptable standard, repeatedly and within a reasonable time period, so if you cannot meet any one of the four, you do not satisfy that descriptor. The guide says that in that case you should be considered unable to complete the activity at that level and a different descriptor selected.

The PIP2 booklet asks whether you can complete each activity safely, within an acceptable time, for example about twice the time it may take another person who does not have a disability, to an acceptable standard, and as often as you need to. It also says to tell DWP as much as you can on the form, including how often you have good days and bad days and any aids or adaptations you use, or help you get from another person.

The DWP PIP2 booklet asks you these questions about each activity:

• Can you complete each activity safely?
• Can you complete each activity within an acceptable time?
• Can you complete each activity to an acceptable standard?
• Can you complete each activity as often as you need to?

Our PIP2 form guide, Mandatory Reconsideration guide and fluctuating conditions guide cover those steps in more detail.

In Northern Ireland, regulation 4 of the Social Security (Personal Independence Payment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2016 also says a claimant is assessed as satisfying a descriptor only if they can do so safely, to an acceptable standard, repeatedly and within a reasonable time period. Adult Disability Payment in Scotland uses the same four words but defines them more fully: safely takes account of the likelihood of harm and the severity of the consequences of that harm, and to an acceptable standard means to a reasonable standard for the activity, taking account of the impact on the individual of carrying out the activity to that standard. Our guide on how to challenge a PIP assessment report and our PIP appeal guide cover what to do if you disagree with a decision.