Enhancing invites to face-to-face PIP health assessments

Share your views on invitations to face-to-face PIP health assessments

About the study

This study will explore people’s views and attitudes towards being invited to complete a health assessment for PIP face-to-face. PIP provides financial support for people with disabilities or long-term health conditions. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has commissioned the National Centre for Social Research (NatCen) to carry out this study on their behalf.

Your participation is:

  • Voluntary – you don’t have to take part if you don’t want.
  • Confidential – your identity will not be linked to your answers. Your answers will be combined with other people’s and not shared individually with DWP.
  • Not linked to your dealings with DWP and will not affect any benefits.
  • For research purposes only. 

The conversation aims to understand:

  • Your thoughts about being invited to a face-to-face PIP health assessment and surrounding formal communications
  • Your answers will help DWP improve how they support customers who have a face to face assessment for PIP in the future. As a thank you, you will receive a £40 Love2shop voucher, which can be used in many high street shops.

Who is carrying out the research?

The research is being conducted by NatCen:

  • NatCen is Britain’s largest independent social research agency.
  • NatCen has over 50 years of experience working with charities and government to understand public views on important issues.
  • The research is being done on behalf of the DWP. However, NatCen operates separately from DWP.
  • NatCen will conduct the conversations, analyse data collected, and write a report outlining the findings for the DWP.

What are the benefits of taking part?

Your feedback will help DWP understand more about how people experience the assessment process. In particular:

  • You will help shape how DWP improve support for customers who are having an assessment in the future.
  • As a thank you, you will receive a £40 Love2shop voucher, which can be used in many high street shops.

What does taking part involve?

The conversation will be focused on three main things:

  • Your thoughts about different formats of assessment, for example face-to-face, telephone, and video assessments. 
  • Your thoughts about being invited to a face-to-face PIP assessment.
  • How communication on this can be improved. 

Please note:

  • Taking part or receiving the voucher will not affect any dealings you have with DWP.
  • DWP will not know whether you have taken part.

Why am I being asked to take part? 

Our partner research recruitment agency, Criteria Fieldwork, has found you to be eligible to participate in the research. 

Do I have to take part?

You don’t have to take part if you don’t want to. You can contact NatCen either by phone on 0800 652 4569 or by email at Piphealthassessment@natcen.ac.uk if you would prefer not to be contacted about this research again.

Your decision whether to take part will not affect your dealings with DWP, either now or at any time in the future.

Is the study confidential? 

Yes, all information provided will be treated in strict confidence under GDPR (2018).

  • Personal details are securely held by NatCen and not shared outside the research team.
  • Data is used solely for research purposes — not for marketing or other uses.
  • Responses are anonymised; DWP cannot identify individuals or households.
  • Data will not be combined with information held by DWP or other government bodies.
  • NatCen will delete personal data within six months of the conversation.
  • NatCen processes data under its public task as the lawful basis.
  • All data is securely managed and kept confidential.

For more information on how your data will be used, visit the privacy notice [LINK TO PRIVACY NOTICE].

Contact us

If you have any questions, please contact us on Piphealthassessment@natcen.ac.uk or call us free on 0800 652 4569. If you wish to contact the DWP about this study, email HTP.Research@dwp.gov.uk .

Further support

We are aware that the topics discussed in the conversation may raise issues which you might like further advice and support about. Below are the contact information for a range of organisations, which you may find useful.  

All of these phone numbers are free to call.  

CITIZENS ADVICE

Advice on debt, benefits, employment, housing, and discrimination. 

Advice line (England): 0800 144 8848
Advice line (Wales): 0800 702 2020
Advice line (Scotland): 0800 028 1456
Web address: Citizens Advice

MIND

Advice and support to anyone experiencing mental health problems. 
Info line: 030 123 3393
Web address: Mind UK

THE SAMARITANS

Confidential, non-judgemental emotional support, 24 hours a day for people experiencing feelings of distress or despair. 
Helpline: 116 123
Web address: Samaritans | Here to listen

DISABILITY RIGHTS UK

Support, information, and advice for people with disabilities to ensure equal opportunities and inclusion. 
Helpline: 0330 995 0400 
Web address: Disability Rights UK | Home

Private notice

To read more about why and how the personal data (also called personal information) you provide is being used, visit the privacy notice.