ABOUT:

Aids and appliances are a crucial in PIP. Learn what counts as an aid or appliance, how they affect your award, and how to challenge decisions.

If you need to use an aid or appliance then you might be awarded points, helping you to qualify for PIP. However, you might lose points if you need help from a person, but the DWP decide you can use an aid or appliance instead.

This module teaches you how to use the rules to get the correct award.

THIS MODULE WILL HELP YOU:

  • Identify what counts as an aid or appliance for PIP

  • Understand how aids and appliances are used in the points-based disability test

  • Become familiar with many of the aids and appliances that are relevant to the daily living and mobility activities

  • Use the aids and appliances rules when completing the PIP form, attending the assessment, or challenging decisions to get the best possible PIP award

  • Understand the DWP’s common reasons for refusal of points for aids and appliances and how to challenge them

MEMBERS' DISCOUNTS:

Benefits and Work members get unlimited access to our benefits guides, and 20% off our modules and bundles.

Visit the Benefits and Work website to find out more.

MODULE OUTLINE:

Our online modules are split into parts, and track your progress, so you can pause and resume your learning at times that suit you.
  • 1

    INTRODUCTION

    • Welcome!

    • Learning outcomes

    • True or False?
  • 2

    PART 1: WHAT IS AN AID OR APPLIANCE?

    • Aids and appliances

    • The disability test

    • What counts as an aid or appliance?

    • Quiz: What counts as an aid or appliance?
  • 3

    PART 2: GAINING AND LOSING POINTS

    • Gaining points for aids and appliances

    • Losing points for aids and appliances

    • Quiz: How many points?
  • 4

    PART 3: DAILY LIVING

    • Daily living: Introduction

    • Activities 1 to 6: Personal care

    • Activity 1: Preparing food

    • Activity 2: Taking nutrition

    • Activity 3: Managing medication

    • Activity 4: Washing and bathing

    • Activity 5: Managing toilet needs and incontinence

    • Activity 6: Dressing and undressing

    • Quiz: Personal care

    • Activities 7 to 8: Communication

    • Activity 7: Communicating verbally

    • Activity 8: Reading and understanding signs, symbols and words

    • Quiz: Communication
  • 5

    PART 4: MOBILITY

    • Mobility: Introduction

    • Activity 1: Planning and following journeys

    • Activity 2: Moving around

    • Quiz: Mobility
  • 6

    PART 5: THE PIP FORM AND MEDICAL ASSESSMENT

    • Writing about aids and appliances in your PIP2 form

    • Fluctuating conditions

    • Reliability

    • Quiz: Fluctuating conditions

    • The medical assessment

    • Evidencing aids and appliances
  • 7

    PART 6: CHALLENGING DECISIONS

    • Common reasons for refusal

    • 'You manage other activities'

    • 'Not medically required'

    • 'It doesn’t count'

    • Driving a car

    • Discussion

    • Issues you may have considered
  • 8

    SUMMARY AND RESOURCES

    • Summary

    • Further resources

    • References for cited case law