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About us
We are Capita, an independent company working with the Department for Communities (DfC) to carry out Personal Independence Payment (PIP) consultations across Northern Ireland.
Our role is to understand how your long-term health condition or disability affects your daily life to help the DfC to assess your PIP claim fairly and accurately. The DfC will look at the consultation report, your 'How your disability affects you' form and any other evidence you have provided to make a decision on your PIP claim.
We always aim to carry out a professional consultation, making it clear what you can expect from us and what you need to do in return. We will do our best to make our service easy to use, we will listen to you and make sure you feel comfortable.
Key things to remember:
- The Capita disability assessor does not decide whether you will get PIP. This is done by DfC using your consultation report and any other evidence you have supplied.
- PIP consultations are not medical. The disability assessor will not diagnose your condition or recommend treatment. It is a functional consultation to understand how your health condition or disability affects you.
- PIP is a non-means tested benefit, meaning you can make a claim whether you are in or out of work.
- If you need to have a consultation, it will be with a qualified health professional who will treat you with respect.
- We know that for some this can be a stressful process and we encourage you to bring someone along with you to the consultation.
- Consultations usually take around an hour. If you need a break at any point, please let the disbility assessor know.
- If your appointment is face-to-face or over the telephone, you can ask to have your consultation recorded.
- There are lots of organisations that can support you with your PIP claim. Click here to find a free, independent advice organisation in your area.
- If you are not happy with DfC’s decision, you can ask for them to relook at your case. Click here to find out more.
We are here to support you through the PIP process. Please get in touch with us if you have any questions or concerns.
