How to prepare medical evidence for your PIP assessment
A practical video guide to choosing, organising and explaining evidence that supports your account of how your condition affects everyday activities.
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What this guide covers
Medical evidence can help provide context for your PIP application, but a diagnosis or document does not always explain the practical effect on your daily life. The video shows how to connect relevant evidence with truthful, specific descriptions of the difficulties you experience.
- What you will learn
- What to include
- What to avoid writing
- The six-part example formula
- Matching evidence to your statement
- Preparing for the PIP assessment
- Answering questions accurately
- Useful documents to take with you
- What happens after the assessment
- Final checklist and next steps
Evidence you may want to consider
Useful evidence depends on your circumstances. It might include reports or letters from professionals involved in your care, prescription or treatment information, test results, care plans, appointment records, or a diary that records what happens over time.
Focus on evidence that is relevant to the activities you have described. Explain what each document helps show instead of assuming the reader will make the connection for you. Keep copies of anything you provide and do not change or exaggerate your experiences to match a document.
A simple six-part structure
When describing an example, record the activity, what you tried to do, what difficulty occurred, any help or aid you needed, the consequence, and how often this happens. Use your own experience and only include details that are accurate for you.
Before your assessment
- Review your form and evidence so you can describe your experiences consistently.
- Organise documents clearly and keep copies for your own records.
- Answer questions honestly and ask for clarification if a question is unclear.
- Describe variation, including how frequently difficulties occur and what happens afterward.