Turn2us PIP Helper course - Module 2: What is the Turn2us PIP Helper?
Module 2 contents
In this section you will learn the following:
- What are the challenges of PIP?
- What is the Turn2us PIP Helper?
- Where to find the Turn2us PIP Helper.
- How to navigate the Turn2us PIP Helper homepage.
- What are the six stages of the PIP application process?
The challenges of PIP
PIP is hard to navigate.
There are different challenges to be faced when applying for PIP.
As you expand each of the headings below, you'll learn where the difficulties come from so you can prepare to tackle them.
PIP is awarded based on points which are attached to legally defined criteria called descriptors. We'll look at what this means in more detail further on in this course
The descriptors are very rigid and don’t always map well onto people’s lived experience of disability.
Interpreting the descriptors is hard. There has been a lot of case law that has gone into deciding how the descriptors should be understood.
For every descriptor, your client needs to understand and explain whether they can do the activity Safely, in a Timely manner, to an Acceptable standard, and Repeatedly. They also need to explain how they're affected on more than half of days.
The form claimants are asked to fill in doesn’t tell you what information the DWP (Department for Work and Pension) is looking for when making a decision.
People find claiming PIP stressful. Advice services are often only able to offer help at a couple of stages and need people to do other bits of the claim independently.
What is the Turn2us PIP Helper?
The Turn2us PIP Helper is an accessible online information tool that helps people manage their PIP application step-by-step. It offers information for each stage of the PIP application process, checks on what PIP award your client is likely to get, provides personalised tips on filling out the application form and provides extra help based on your client's PIP award.
You can use it with your client, or send them to use it independently, or use a mix of both.
The Turn2us PIP Helper is made up of a landing page, and six further pages, each addressing one step of a PIP claim.
Clicking the audio icon next to each text block allows you to have the text read out to you.
Finding the Turn2us PIP Helper
The direct link to the Turn2us PIP Helper is: pip.turn2us.org.uk
There are two other ways to open the Turn2us PIP Helper: directly from our home page, or from the menu across the top.
Directly from the homepage
On the home page, click the Use Turn2us PIP Helper button.
From the menu across the top of the homepage
Using the top menu, first click the Get support tab, then select the Turn2us PIP Helper from the options.
If you open the Turn2us PIP Helper without logging in first, you will be taken to the public version of the tool. To use the adviser version, you need to log in first.
The Turn2us PIP Helper homepage
If your client is using the Turn2us PIP Helper independently, they can watch videos or read or listen to the page content that helps them understand what PIP is and how to use our PIP Helper to aid their PIP application process.
In the Get Started section, users have the option to sign up or log in to the tool.
As you will see in the next module, this is the only way to save and revisit progress, as the tool involves several stages.
The PIP Helper homepage focuses on trust building.
- It introduces the tool, and why we've made it.
- It highlights the importance of wellbeing while going through the PIP application process.
- It shows the user where to get help if needed.
It has six further pages, each addressing one stage of the PIP application and invites users to choose which stage they want to know more about.
The stages of the PIP application process
Towards the bottom of the screen, there are links to the six further pages, each addressing one stage of a PIP claim. The content under these will help you at each stage of your PIP application:
Select each stage below to find out more.
Eligibility survey – runs people through simple questions to let them know if they meet the eligibility rules to be able to get PIP.
- Information on what to expect when your client calls up to make their claim.
- Information on rights and accessibility.
- Descriptor survey – this takes people through simple questions about how their condition affects them and matches them up with descriptors.
- Information on what descriptors are, and the importance of medical evidence
- Tips on gathering medical evidence.
- Diary template.
- Personalised tips based on the descriptor survey.
- Information about rights.
- Checklist to help people get everything in place.
- Wellbeing content to help people with the difficult experience of coming face to face with how their disability or health condition affects them on a daily basis.
- Personalised information on what to expect depending on what type of assessment they’re having.
- Information about rights.
- Wellbeing content – assessments can be very hard on people’s mental health.
- Personalised information about the extra help their new PIP award entitles them to.
- Information about what to expect from the back payment.
- Wellbeing content – getting the PIP decision can bring up complex feelings for people.
- Simple information about the mandatory reconsideration and appeals process.
- Encouragement to get advice, and information about where to go to find advice.
- Wellbeing content to encourage people to not give up.
Knowledge check
Question 1 : What is one of the issues people face when filling out the PIP form?
- It is available only online.
- It requires a fee to submit.
- It doesn't say what information the DWP is looking for.
Question 2: What is a significant challenge in interpreting PIP descriptors?
- The descriptors frequently change every year.
- There has been extensive case law affecting their interpretation.
- The descriptors are only available in legal jargon.
Question 3: How does the Turn2us PIP Helper assist with the PIP claim process?
- It submits the claim directly to the DWP.
- It provides personalised information on the PIP claim.
- It schedules appointments with the DWP.
Question 4: In which section of the Turn2us PIP Helper can you check what award your client is likely to get?
- In the Check what PIP award, you’re likely to get section.
- In the Quickly check eligibility section.
- In the Help with your form section.
(3) The DWP provides little guidance on the detailed information they require from applicants.
(2) Appealing PIP decisions can sometimes result in case law clarifying how the descriptors should be interpreted. Keeping up with these developments can be challenging.
(2) The Turn2us PIP Helper gives personalised information in various sections of the tool helping users to manage their PIP application.
(1) It is the Check what PIP award you’re likely to get section where can you check what award your client is likely to get.
Module 2 summary
You have completed Module 2. These are the key takeaways:
- The Turn2us PIP Helper helps people manage their PIP applications. It consists of a landing page and six further pages, each addressing one step of a PIP claim.
- You can use the Turn2us PIP Helper with your client or send them to use it independently or use a mix of both.
- The Turn2us PIP Helper can be found on our webpage: https://pip.turn2us.org.uk