PIP Descriptors Explained: How to Score Points on Appeal

When applying for Personal Independence Payment (PIP) in England and Wales, the key to success is showing, in detail, how your health condition or disability affects your ability to carry out specific daily living and mobility activities. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) uses a points-based system, and each activity is broken down into “descriptors” that describe different levels of difficulty. To score points, you must provide clear, concrete examples that match these descriptors, always keeping in mind the four legal tests: can you do the task safely, to an acceptable standard, repeatedly, and within a reasonable time (usually no more than twice as long as someone without your condition)?

How PIP Points Work

PIP is split into two parts: Daily Living and Mobility. Each part has its own set of activities and descriptors. There are 10 daily living activities and 2 mobility activities. Each descriptor is worth a certain number of points, and your total points for each section determine whether you qualify for the standard or enhanced rate.

It’s important to focus on how you manage these activities most of the time, not just on your best or worst days. The DWP is interested in your typical day, so be honest about fluctuations, and explain how often you experience difficulties, what triggers them, and what risks are involved.

Daily Living Activities: What to Show and What Evidence Helps

1. Preparing food
If you struggle to prepare a simple meal, describe the risks (such as cutting yourself or leaving the hob on), the help you need (like supervision or prompting), and any aids you use. Evidence could include photos of adapted utensils, a diary of near-misses, or occupational therapy notes. For example, “Last week, I left the hob on twice due to brain fog and needed my partner to supervise me with hot pans.”

2. Taking nutrition
Explain if you need help cutting food, opening packaging, or if you require prompting to eat. If you have a choking risk or poor coordination, mention this. Evidence might be weight records, speech and language therapy input, or carer statements.

3. Managing therapy or monitoring health conditions
Describe how often you need to take medication or therapy, whether you need help organising it, and any side effects. Useful evidence includes photos of dosette boxes, care plans, or clinic letters stating you need supervision.

4. Washing and bathing
If you have balance issues, fear of falling, or need help getting in and out of the bath or shower, explain this. Evidence could be a falls diary, photos of bathroom adaptations, or physiotherapy notes.

5. Managing toilet needs or incontinence
If you need help with clothing, cleaning, or supervision for safety, describe this. Evidence might include continence clinic notes, a record of laundry frequency, or carer statements.

6. Dressing and undressing
Mention if it takes you a long time, if you struggle with fastenings, or if you need to rest during the process. Evidence could be videos (if allowed), occupational therapy notes, or a diary showing how long it takes.

7. Communicating verbally
If you have difficulty speaking clearly, understanding others, or need communication aids, describe this. Evidence might include speech and language therapy reports or carer descriptions of communication breakdowns.

8. Reading and understanding signs, symbols and words
If you have visual or cognitive impairments, explain how this affects your ability to read letters or forms. Evidence could be ophthalmology reports or neuropsychology letters.

9. Engaging with other people face to face
If you experience overwhelming psychological distress, social anxiety, or autism-related needs, describe how this affects you. Evidence might include mental health team letters, a diary of panic events, or supporter accounts.

10. Making budgeting decisions
If you have memory or attention issues, or need support to manage money, explain this. Evidence could be bank statements showing errors, support worker statements, or appointeeship letters.

Mobility Activities: What to Show and What Evidence Helps

1. Planning and following journeys
If you have cognitive or mental health barriers to planning or following journeys, or need someone with you for safety, describe this. Evidence could include records of missed or abandoned journeys, mental health team notes, or GPS logs.

2. Moving around
Describe how far you can walk before needing to stop, any pain or breathlessness, and how this varies. Evidence might include physiotherapy letters, proof of walking aids, or a diary showing how far you can walk before stopping.

Turning Your Story into Points

Start by listing the activities you struggle with. For each, write two or three recent, specific examples with dates. Include how often these difficulties occur, how long tasks take, and any risks involved. Label each example with the relevant activity and descriptor, and attach supporting evidence such as diary extracts, medical letters, or photos of aids.

Here’s a simple template to help you map your evidence:

Common Reasons for Not Scoring Points (and How to Fix Them)

Many people miss out on points because their statements are too vague, they only provide a diagnosis rather than describing how it affects them, or they downplay their difficulties. Always give specific, dated examples, focus on how your condition affects your ability to function, and link your evidence directly to the descriptors. If the assessor’s report contains errors, address these in your cover note.

Final Checklist

• Every claimed point is backed by two or three concrete examples.

• Evidence shows issues with safety, standard, repeatability, or time.

• Variability is explained with frequencies.

• Supporter statements confirm your need for supervision or help.

• Any errors in the assessor’s report are corrected in your submission.

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Disclaimer: This blog post provides general information for educational purposes only. It is not legal advice. Outcomes can vary based on your personal circumstances.