01/11/2026
🚨 DLA ➡️ PIP AT 16 — THE ASSESSMENT IS OVER… WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?
PARENTS, DID YOU KNOW YOU CAN ASK FOR A COPY OF THE PIP ASSESSOR’S REPORT BEFORE THE DECISION ARRIVES? 👀
We’ve covered the PIP form, gathering evidence, preparing for the assessment and those questions that can sound like random chit-chat.
But what actually happens when the assessment is finished?
Will they contact your child’s school or GP?
What if the report contains something that’s wrong?
What if one little comment seems to have been used to question everything else you’ve explained?
And what if a professional’s report says something completely different from what you’ve told them?
LET’S GO THROUGH IT, BECAUSE THE ASSESSMENT FINISHING DOESN’T MEAN THERE’S NOTHING MORE YOU CAN DO. ❤️
📋 1️⃣ WHAT HAPPENS AFTER THE ASSESSMENT?
The health professional who carried out the assessment normally writes a report.
They consider the information available to them, including:
❤️ Your young person’s PIP form.
❤️ Supporting evidence.
❤️ What was discussed during the assessment.
❤️ Any relevant observations or examination findings.
They then recommend which PIP descriptors they believe apply.
The report is sent to DWP.
BUT THIS IS REALLY IMPORTANT…
🚨 THE ASSESSOR DOES NOT MAKE THE FINAL PIP DECISION!
The DWP decision-maker considers the evidence, including the assessment report, and decides whether PIP should be awarded and at what rate.
The assessor’s recommendations can carry significant weight, but they are not automatically the final decision.
📞 2️⃣ WILL THEY CONTACT THE SCHOOL, GP OR OTHER PROFESSIONALS?
THEY MIGHT — BUT PLEASE DON’T ASSUME THEY WILL!
The assessment provider can request further information where they believe it’s needed.
This might be from a GP, consultant, specialist or another professional involved in your young person’s care.
Information from school, college or support services can also be relevant.
But they don’t automatically contact every professional you’ve listed on the form.
And just because you’ve given your child’s GP or school’s details doesn’t mean they’ll definitely be contacted.
MY ADVICE? IF YOU ALREADY HAVE IMPORTANT EVIDENCE, SEND IT YOURSELF WHERE POSSIBLE.
Don’t rely on somebody else requesting it.
And remember, different professionals may know different things.
A GP might know about your child’s diagnoses but very little about the prompting they need to get dressed.
A teacher might see them managing in a structured classroom but not see the support they need at home.
An occupational therapist might be able to explain difficulties with safety and everyday activities.
THE MOST USEFUL EVIDENCE IS THE EVIDENCE THAT EXPLAINS HOW YOUR YOUNG PERSON’S NEEDS RELATE TO THE ACTUAL PIP ACTIVITIES.
📄 3️⃣ WHAT IS A PA4 REPORT?
If your young person had a telephone, video or face-to-face assessment, the written assessment report is normally called a PA4.
If the claim was assessed using the paperwork without a consultation, it may instead be a PA3.
YOU CAN ASK DWP FOR A COPY OF THE REPORT.
You don’t have to wait until the decision letter arrives to make the request.
Once DWP has received the report, you can contact them.
📞 PIP ENQUIRY LINE: 0800 121 4433
You could say:
“Hiya, my son/daughter has recently had their PIP assessment. Please could I request a copy of the assessment report?”
If you’re the official DWP appointee, you can request it on their behalf.
If you’re not the appointee, your young person may need to request it themselves or authorise you to speak to DWP.
Some families receive a text confirming DWP has received the assessment report.
PLEASE REMEMBER: Requesting the report doesn’t guarantee you’ll receive it before the decision is made.
And the written report is different from an audio recording of the assessment.
📊 4️⃣ WHAT DOES THE REPORT TELL YOU?
The report normally explains the assessor’s findings and recommended descriptors.
Each descriptor has a number of points attached.
PIP has two separate components.
❤️ DAILY LIVING
⭐ 8–11 points = Standard rate.
⭐ 12 or more points = Enhanced rate.
🚗 MOBILITY
⭐ 8–11 points = Standard rate.
⭐ 12 or more points = Enhanced rate.
The report may give you an indication of what the assessor is recommending.
BUT PLEASE DON’T JUST LOOK AT THE TOTAL POINTS!
Read the explanations.
Because sometimes the biggest concern isn’t the score itself.
IT’S HOW THE ASSESSOR HAS REACHED THAT CONCLUSION.
👀 5️⃣ WHAT SHOULD YOU CHECK WHEN READING IT?
I’d encourage parents to go through the report carefully, activity by activity.
Ask yourself:
❤️ Have they accurately recorded the support my young person needs?
❤️ Have they understood any learning, communication, sensory or cognitive difficulties?
❤️ Have they considered prompting, supervision and assistance?
❤️ Have they explained which evidence they’ve relied on?
❤️ Have they considered difficulties that fluctuate?
❤️ Have they explained why they disagree with important evidence?
❤️ Does the reasoning actually support the descriptor they’ve recommended?
Remember, PIP looks at whether an activity can be completed reliably.
That means:
✅ Safely.
✅ To an acceptable standard.
✅ Repeatedly, as often as reasonably required.
✅ Within a reasonable time.
And there’s another important point.
PIP ISN’T JUST ABOUT WHAT YOUR YOUNG PERSON COULD DO ON THE DAY OF THE ASSESSMENT.
The rules consider how their difficulties affect them over time.
Generally, a descriptor needs to apply on more than 50% of days over the relevant 12-month period, taking account of fluctuating needs.
So if your child has good days and difficult days, make sure that has been understood.
🚨 6️⃣ WHAT IF ONE LITTLE DETAIL HAS BEEN USED TO QUESTION EVERYTHING ELSE?
THIS IS SOMETHING I REALLY WANT PARENTS TO LOOK OUT FOR.
Sometimes the report refers to something a young person can do and uses it to support a conclusion about another activity.
For example…
🗺️ “THEY USE GOOGLE MAPS.”
Yes, perhaps they do.
But does that automatically mean they can follow an unfamiliar journey independently?
Not necessarily.
They might understand how to look up a route but still need another person because of difficulties navigating, recognising hazards or managing unexpected changes.
🐕 “THEY WALK THE FAMILY DOG.”
Yes, they might!
But perhaps they always follow the same familiar route.
That doesn’t automatically demonstrate an ability to follow unfamiliar journeys.
📱 “THEY USE WHATSAPP.”
Yes, they might use it independently.
But that doesn’t necessarily tell us whether they can understand every type of written information or communicate effectively in every situation.
👥 “THEY HAVE FRIENDS AT COLLEGE.”
Yes, they might!
But having familiar friends doesn’t automatically tell us how they manage engaging with unfamiliar people.
NOW, I’M NOT SAYING THESE THINGS ARE IRRELEVANT.
An assessor can consider everyday activities when trying to understand someone’s abilities.
But the conclusion needs to be properly explained and relevant to the particular PIP activity.
If you believe the assessor has drawn the wrong conclusion, explain why.
For example:
“The report refers to X using Google Maps. This is correct. However, X still requires another person to accompany them on unfamiliar journeys because of the difficulties described in their mobility assessment.”
YOU DON’T NEED TO DENY SOMETHING YOUR CHILD CAN DO.
You need to explain what that ability does — and doesn’t — demonstrate.
📂 7️⃣ WHAT IF A PROFESSIONAL HAS SAID SOMETHING DIFFERENT FROM WHAT I’VE EXPLAINED?
This can happen.
DIFFERENT PEOPLE MAY SEE YOUR YOUNG PERSON IN DIFFERENT CIRCUMSTANCES.
For example…
🏫 SCHOOL REPORT: “X IS INDEPENDENT WITH DRESSING.”
But at home, you provide repeated prompting every morning.
It’s important to find out what the school actually means.
Are they describing physical ability?
Are they describing what happens in a particular setting?
Or do they genuinely have a different view of your young person’s needs?
You could explain:
“The school report describes X as independent with dressing. At home, however, X needs repeated prompting to begin and complete the activity. This happens on most mornings, and without that prompting they do not get dressed appropriately.”
Or perhaps a professional says:
“X COMMUNICATES WELL.”
But you’ve explained that your young person struggles with communication.
Maybe they communicate well with familiar adults who know their needs, but have significant difficulties understanding unfamiliar people.
THE IMPORTANT THING IS TO EXPLAIN THE CONTEXT AND GIVE REAL EXAMPLES.
If you believe a professional has recorded something factually incorrect, you can ask whether they’re able to clarify or correct it.
And remember, a professional report is important evidence, but it isn’t the only evidence.
Your account of the support your young person needs can also be relevant.
🔎 8️⃣ WHAT IF THE ASSESSOR HAS DISAGREED WITH EVIDENCE WITHOUT EXPLAINING WHY?
THIS IS WORTH PAYING ATTENTION TO.
DWP’s assessment guidance says reports should explain the reasoning behind descriptor recommendations.
That includes explaining relevant contradictions and why the assessor has reached a different opinion from the claimant, carer or another professional.
So imagine an occupational therapist has described significant safety difficulties when preparing food.
But the assessor recommends that your young person can prepare food unaided.
LOOK FOR THE EXPLANATION.
Have they explained why they’ve reached that conclusion?
Have they considered the occupational therapy evidence?
Or does the report appear to overlook it?
If you think important evidence has been misunderstood or not properly addressed, you can raise that with DWP.
You can also ask DWP to consider whether clarification from the assessment provider is needed.
DWP CAN REQUEST FURTHER ADVICE FROM THE ASSESSMENT PROVIDER WHERE NECESSARY.
That doesn’t mean they’ll automatically agree with your concerns, but it’s useful to know the option exists.
✉️ 9️⃣ WHAT IF THE ASSESSMENT REPORT IS WRONG?
First of all, try not to panic.
THE PA4 IS NOT THE FINAL DECISION.
If you receive the report before DWP makes its decision and spot something important that’s incorrect or missing, you can contact DWP.
Explain your concerns and ask how to send written comments or additional evidence for the decision-maker to consider.
BE SPECIFIC.
Rather than simply saying:
❌ “The assessor has got everything wrong.”
Explain:
✅ Which activity you’re concerned about.
✅ What the report says.
✅ What actually happens.
✅ What help your young person needs.
✅ How often those difficulties occur.
✅ Which evidence supports your explanation.
For example:
“The report suggests X can prepare food independently. However, X requires supervision when using hot appliances because they cannot reliably recognise the risks. This is also explained in the occupational therapy report submitted with the claim.”
Include your young person’s name and National Insurance number on any written correspondence.
KEEP COPIES OF EVERYTHING YOU SEND.
And remember:
SENDING COMMENTS DOES NOT GUARANTEE DWP WILL DELAY OR CHANGE ITS DECISION.
The decision might be made before your comments arrive.
If that happens, you can still use the information when considering whether to challenge the decision.
📑 🔟 WHAT IF NEW EVIDENCE ARRIVES AFTER THE ASSESSMENT?
Perhaps you’ve finally received a report you were waiting for.
Or a professional has provided clarification about your young person’s difficulties.
YOU CAN CONTACT DWP ABOUT SUBMITTING FURTHER EVIDENCE WHILE THE CLAIM IS STILL BEING DECIDED.
This might include:
❤️ An occupational therapy report.
❤️ A school or college support plan.
❤️ A SALT report.
❤️ A mobility or habilitation assessment.
❤️ A specialist letter.
❤️ Information about the supervision, prompting or assistance needed.
Try to focus on how the evidence relates to the PIP activities.
MORE PAPERWORK DOESN’T AUTOMATICALLY MEAN STRONGER EVIDENCE.
A clear explanation of your young person’s actual difficulties can be more useful than lots of documents simply repeating their diagnoses.
💷 1️⃣1️⃣ WILL DLA STOP NOW THE ASSESSMENT IS FINISHED?
NOT AUTOMATICALLY!
For young people moving from DLA to PIP at 16 in England and Wales, DLA normally continues while the PIP claim is being assessed, provided the required transfer process and deadlines have been followed.
AND HERE’S SOMETHING IMPORTANT THAT PARENTS SHOULD KNOW…
Where the normal DLA-to-PIP transfer rules apply, DLA also continues for a short period after the PIP decision, even if PIP is refused or awarded at a lower rate.
DWP describes this as continuing for four weeks following the next DLA payday after the PIP decision.
The decision letter should explain what happens to the existing award.
PLEASE CHECK THE ACTUAL DATES ON YOUR LETTER.
This is particularly important if your family relies on higher rate DLA mobility and a Motability vehicle.
A higher rate DLA mobility award doesn’t automatically become enhanced PIP mobility.
The criteria are different.
🚗 IF YOUR YOUNG PERSON DOESN’T QUALIFY FOR ENHANCED PIP MOBILITY, THAT CAN AFFECT THEIR MOTABILITY LEASE.
But the car isn’t normally returned immediately on the day the PIP decision arrives.
Motability has arrangements for returning vehicles after an unsuccessful reassessment, including a period after qualifying allowance payments stop.
If this affects your family, contact Motability directly to check the dates and support available.
DON’T ASSUME YOU HAVE TO HAND THE CAR BACK THE MOMENT YOU RECEIVE A REFUSAL LETTER.
⏳ 1️⃣2️⃣ HOW LONG WILL THE PIP DECISION TAKE?
Unfortunately, there’s no guaranteed timescale.
Some families hear back fairly quickly.
Others wait longer.
DWP might need more information or clarification.
If you’re concerned, you can phone the PIP enquiry line and ask for an update.
A LONG WAIT DOESN’T AUTOMATICALLY MEAN A REFUSAL.
And a quick decision doesn’t automatically mean an award.
🚨 1️⃣3️⃣ WHAT IF YOU’RE UNHAPPY WITH HOW THE ASSESSMENT WAS CONDUCTED?
Perhaps the assessor was dismissive.
Perhaps your young person wasn’t given the breaks they needed.
Perhaps agreed communication support or reasonable adjustments weren’t provided.
Or perhaps you feel you weren’t given a fair opportunity to explain their needs.
YOU CAN MAKE A COMPLAINT ABOUT HOW THE ASSESSMENT WAS CONDUCTED.
But there’s an important difference between:
📣 A COMPLAINT about the assessment service or how your young person was treated.
And:
📋 A MANDATORY RECONSIDERATION challenging the actual PIP decision.
They are separate processes.
You might need one, the other, or both.
MAKING A COMPLAINT DOES NOT AUTOMATICALLY CHANGE A PIP DECISION OR PAUSE THE DEADLINE TO CHALLENGE IT.
We’ll cover the complaints process properly in the next post, including who to contact, what evidence to keep and what happens next.
📬 1️⃣4️⃣ WHAT IF THE FINAL PIP DECISION IS WRONG?
If the decision arrives and you disagree with it, you can ask DWP to look at it again.
This is called a MANDATORY RECONSIDERATION (MR).
You normally have one month from the date on the decision letter to request one, although late requests can sometimes be accepted if there’s a good reason.
If you still disagree after the Mandatory Reconsideration, you may be able to appeal to an independent tribunal.
PLEASE DON’T ASSUME THAT BECAUSE THE ASSESSOR RECOMMENDED SOMETHING, THERE’S NOTHING YOU CAN DO ABOUT IT.
And don’t miss the MR deadline because you’re waiting for a complaint response or further evidence.
❤️ MY BIGGEST ADVICE TO PARENTS
DON’T THINK THAT ONCE THE PIP ASSESSMENT IS OVER, YOU JUST HAVE TO SIT AND WAIT WITHOUT UNDERSTANDING WHAT’S HAPPENING.
You can:
📞 Request the assessment report.
👀 Read the recommended descriptors and the reasoning.
📂 Check whether important evidence has been considered.
📝 Explain factual errors or missing information.
✉️ Ask about submitting further evidence.
❤️ Raise concerns if important contradictions haven’t been explained.
📬 Check the final decision carefully when it arrives.
AND PLEASE REMEMBER…
The assessor’s report is important.
But IT IS NOT THE FINAL PIP DECISION.
📌 SAVE THIS POST for when your young person’s assessment is finished.
📲 SHARE IT with another parent going through DLA ➡️ PIP at 16.
💬 DID YOU KNOW YOU COULD ASK FOR THE ASSESSMENT REPORT BEFORE THE DECISION ARRIVES?
❤️ NEXT POST: WHAT IF YOU’RE UNHAPPY WITH HOW THE PIP ASSESSMENT WAS CONDUCTED? HOW TO COMPLAIN AND WHAT HAPPENS NEXT.
