The Claimant's Complete Evidence Checklist

Gathering medical and personal evidence is one of the most powerful things you can do to support your Personal Independence Payment (PIP) claim. We understand that requesting medical letters and keeping diaries takes valuable energy, so we have created this guide to help you focus on the evidence that makes the biggest difference.

What You'll Learn in This Guide:

• Why professional supporting evidence is crucial for a successful claim.
• The difference between medical evidence and functional daily evidence.
• How to obtain your GP and hospital records easily.
• How to make sure your evidence directly matches DWP rules under Regulation 4(2A).

Having strong, relevant supporting evidence is one of the most effective ways to secure a successful PIP decision. This guide outlines what types of evidence are most valuable and how to obtain them.

Why is evidence so important?

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) receives thousands of applications. While your description of your condition is crucial, objective third-party evidence validates your claims. Claims with professional supporting evidence are significantly more likely to be approved at the initial stage without requiring appeals.

Types of High-Value Evidence

1. Medical Evidence

• GP Letters & Records: A summary of your medical history, current diagnoses, and medication list.
• Specialist Reports: Consultant letters, clinic summaries, and diagnostic test results (e.g., MRI scans, X-rays).
• Prescriptions: Evidence of the strength and frequency of your current medications.

2. Functional Evidence

• Occupational Therapy (OT) Reports: Assessment of your home environment and aids you require.
• Physiotherapy Reports: Documentation of your range of movement, balance, and gait.
• Social Care Plans: Details of any care hours or assistance provided by your local council.

3. Personal Evidence

• Carer Letters: A statement from a family member, friend, or professional carer describing the help they give you daily.
• A Daily Diary: A log kept over 7 to 14 days detailing how your symptoms affect your ability to carry out daily tasks.

How to Obtain Your Evidence

• GP Practice: You have a legal right to access your medical records under GDPR. You can request a summary care record or full access online (usually free of charge).
• Hospitals: Contact the medical records department of any hospitals where you have received specialist treatment.
• Support Groups: Charities and support groups related to your specific condition can often help prepare letters or provide guidance.

What makes evidence effective?

The best evidence directly links your medical condition to the PIP activities and the statutory Regulation 4(2A) criteria (safely, to an acceptable standard, repeatedly, and in a reasonable timeframe). For example, a doctor's letter that states: "Patient has asthma" is less effective than one stating: "Due to severe asthma, the patient cannot walk more than 20 metres before needing to stop due to breathlessness."

Next Steps

You can easily organise and keep track of your supporting documents using our Evidence Tools and check your daily tasks with our Checklist Tracker.