Stages of the assessment process
When you submit a claim for Personal Independence Payment (PIP), Universal Credit (UC) or Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), it goes through a number of stages. You can see these below and who is responsible for each stage.
Stage 1 – Making a claim
You make a claim to the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and complete a questionnaire detailing how your disability, illness or health condition affects your capability to work.
Stage 2 – Review
Your claim is reviewed by a health professional. You may be invited to an appointment. If an appointment is not needed, the health professional will complete a report and send it to DWP.
Stage 3 – Assessment
If you have an appointment, it will be with a health professional by telephone, video or face-to-face.
Stage 4 – Report for DWP
The health professional produces an assessment report, which is sent to DWP.
Stage 5 – Decision
DWP considers all the evidence provided, including the assessment report, and makes a decision on your claim.
Stage 6 – Outcome
DWP will write to tell you the outcome of your claim.