Recording a PIP assessment

Yes, you are allowed to record your PIP assessment, and the Department for Work and Pensions has an established policy on this.

The current position:

The DWP permits claimants to make an audio recording of their PIP face-to-face assessment. This applies whether the assessment is carried out by a health professional from the assessment providers (currently Atos or Capita, though the providers have changed over time). The same principle applies to telephone and video assessments.

How to arrange it:

1. You should notify the DWP or the assessment provider in advance that you wish to record the assessment. This is important because they need to make practical arrangements.

2. The recording must be made on equipment that produces two copies simultaneously, so that one copy can be retained by the assessment provider and one by you. In practice, this usually means a recording device that records onto two CDs or two tapes at the same time. Some assessment centres can provide this equipment if you give them enough notice.

3. If you turn up without having given notice, the assessment may need to be rescheduled to allow the recording to be arranged, which could cause delay.

Why it is worth doing:

A recording can be extremely valuable if you later need to challenge the assessment report. It is not uncommon for claimants to find that the written report does not accurately reflect what was said during the assessment. If you have a recording, you have clear evidence of any discrepancies, which can be very helpful at the mandatory reconsideration stage or on appeal to the First-tier Tribunal (Social Entitlement Chamber).

Practical tips:

1. Contact the assessment provider as soon as you receive your appointment letter and confirm in writing (even by email) that you want to record the assessment.

2. If they say they can provide the equipment, get that confirmed in writing.

3. If you are arranging your own equipment, make sure it works properly and produces the required two simultaneous copies. Test it before the day.

4. Keep your copy of the recording safe. If you later appeal, you can submit it as evidence or use it to challenge inaccuracies in the assessor's report.

5. There is no legal prohibition on covertly recording the assessment either, but a recording made openly and with the DWP's cooperation carries much more weight and avoids any arguments about admissibility or conduct.

One thing to be aware of is that the DWP's guidance on recording has occasionally been applied inconsistently by different assessment centres. If you encounter any resistance, you can refer the assessment provider to the DWP's own published policy, which clearly permits audio recording with advance notice.